DistantNews
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Environment & Climate

Malaysia Braces for Hotter, Drier Weather as Southwest Monsoon Approaches

From Utusan Malaysia · (7m ago) Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Malaysia is expected to experience hotter and drier weather starting in May due to the onset of the Southwest Monsoon.
  • This seasonal shift typically brings reduced rainfall, increasing the risk of drought and prolonged hot conditions.
  • Authorities are monitoring climate drivers like El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, advising the public to conserve water and be cautious of heat exposure.

Malaysia is bracing for a period of intensified heat and dryness as the Southwest Monsoon is set to begin in May, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

The Southwest Monsoon, which begins in May, usually brings lower rainfall in most areas, thus increasing the potential for prolonged hot and dry weather.

— Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. Anip, Director-General of MetMalaysiaExplaining the expected impact of the Southwest Monsoon on Malaysia's weather.

Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. Anip, Director-General of MetMalaysia, explained that this annual cycle, occurring between the end of the Northeast Monsoon in February and the transition to the Southwest Monsoon around June, typically leads to reduced rainfall across most areas. This decrease in precipitation heightens the potential for prolonged hot and dry weather.

While the peak of hot weather is usually recorded between mid-March and April, with maximum temperatures potentially exceeding 37 degrees Celsius in some regions, the onset of the Southwest Monsoon signifies a shift towards drier conditions. Dr. Anip noted that dynamic climate conditions can influence rainfall patterns, with variations dependent on global phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña.

If extreme El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) influences continue, the dry conditions are expected to become more severe and prolonged until next year.

— Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. Anip, Director-General of MetMalaysiaWarning about the potential severity and duration of dry conditions due to climate phenomena.

MetMalaysia is closely monitoring key global climate drivers, including El Niño, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). The department is also enhancing its monitoring of rainfall, dam levels, and indicators for drought and forest fire risks to detect any impacts from extreme weather events. In light of these forecasts, the public is strongly advised to manage water consumption prudently, minimize exposure to the hot weather, and remain vigilant for weather warnings to mitigate health and safety risks.

Monitoring of rainfall, dam levels, and indicators for drought and forest fire risks is also being enhanced to detect any impacts of extreme weather.

— Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. Anip, Director-General of MetMalaysiaDescribing MetMalaysia's efforts to track and mitigate the effects of extreme weather.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog