PATTAYA, THAILAND – Pattaya and Thailand’s eastern region faced intense daytime heat with isolated thunderstorms, while the Thai Meteorological Department also warned of moderate to relatively high dust and haze levels in large parts of the north and northeast.
Heat remains the dominant pattern
Across wide areas of the country, hot weather prevailed during the day, according to the Thai Meteorological Department, which issued its update on 19 March.
The mix of strong solar radiation and weak air circulation caused a noticeable heat burden, especially in cities and densely built-up areas.
Humid winds raise thunderstorm risk
At the same time, additional moisture moved inland with southern and south-easterly winds from the Gulf of Thailand and the direction of the South China Sea.
This more humid air increased, according to the weather agency, the likelihood of scattered thunderstorms, even though the overall pattern remained dominated by heat.
Eastern provinces: rain over around 20 percent of the area
For the eastern provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat, storms were expected to affect about 20 percent of the region.
This meant many places would stay dry, but local showers and brief storm cells could suddenly develop and hit individual streets or coastal sections.
Pattaya: mild mornings, sweltering afternoons
In Pattaya, early-morning temperatures ranged from about 21 to 26 degrees Celsius, according to meteorologists.
In the afternoon, highs of 32 to 37 degrees were forecast, which could quickly become exhausting, particularly for holidaymakers not yet acclimatised to the heat.
Winds and sea: mostly moderate, rough in storm zones
Over the sea, south-easterly winds of 15 to 30 kilometres per hour were expected, keeping conditions in the Gulf comparatively moderate overall.
Wave heights were put at around one metre, but could temporarily rise to more than two metres in thunderstorm areas.
Weather pattern: weakening high-pressure from China
A weakening high-pressure system extending from China over the upper northeast to the South China Sea was seen as a key driving factor.
As this high-pressure influence diminished, warm, humid air continued to flow inland, creating the combination of heat and localised thunderstorm potential.
Dust and haze: weak circulation degrades air
In parallel, dust and haze levels built up across much of upper Thailand and were described by the weather service as moderate to relatively high.
The cause was weak air circulation, which removed pollutants and particles less effectively and at times impaired both visibility and breathing air.