THAILAND – Thailand’s weather service warns of heavy to very heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves until Sunday. Flash floods and runoff from forest areas threaten several regions.
Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand must stay ashore until August 9. The warning covers the period from now through Sunday.
North and northeast face flash flood risk
Heavy rain is expected in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani. More affected provinces include Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Tak, Phichit, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, and Si Sa Ket.
The agency warns that accumulated rainfall could trigger flash floods and runoff from forest areas. Foothills near waterways and low-lying areas are especially at risk.
Central region, east, and south hit hard
In the central region, the warning covers Lop Buri, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Pathom. Bangkok and surrounding provinces also face thunderstorms and heavy rain in some areas.
In the east, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat are affected. In the south, the weather service names Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Phetchaburi. Additional warning zones include Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Loei, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Sa Kaeo.
Andaman Sea and Gulf see high waves, ship traffic slowed
On the west coast along the Andaman Sea, waves of two to four metres are expected in the upper Andaman Sea. During thunderstorms, waves can exceed four metres. Mariners should navigate with caution and avoid storm areas.
In the upper Gulf of Thailand, meteorologists expect waves of two to three metres, and more than three metres during thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf must stay ashore from August 6 to August 9.
Strong southwest monsoon intensifies the weather situation
The cause is a monsoon trough over the upper north and upper northeast. A strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand adds to the system.
The weather service therefore expects increasing rain in the north, northeast, and east. Heavy rain is also forecast for parts of the central region and the south.
Typhoon Dolphin will not hit Thailand
Typhoon Dolphin moves over Okinawa Prefecture in Japan from August 6 to 7. From August 9 to 10, the storm is expected to reach China’s Zhejiang Province.
According to the weather service, the typhoon will not move into Thailand. Travellers heading to affected areas should check weather conditions before departure.
North and northeast: thunderstorms on 70 percent of the area
For the north, thunderstorms are expected on 70 percent of the area from August 6 at 6 pm to August 7 at 6 pm. Heavy rain is possible in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Tak, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phichit, and Phetchabun. Very heavy rain is possible in Chiang Rai, Phayao, and Nan.
In the northeast, thunderstorms are also expected on 70 percent of the area. Heavy rain threatens Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. For Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom, the warning is for very heavy rain. Temperatures there range between 23 and 34 degrees.
Centre and east: thunderstorms reach Bangkok
In the central region, thunderstorms and heavy rain in some areas are expected on 70 percent of the territory. Affected are Lop Buri, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Pathom. Maximum temperatures reach 34 to 37 degrees, with southwest winds of 10 to 25 kilometres per hour.
In the east, the thunderstorm forecast also covers 70 percent of the area. Heavy rain can hit Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, and Rayong. Very heavy rain can hit Chanthaburi and Trat. Temperatures there will be 29 to 33 degrees, with southwest winds of 20 to 40 kilometres per hour. Waves can reach two to three metres.
South: rain and strong wind on both coasts
On the west coast along the Andaman Sea, thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected on 60 percent of the area in Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket. North of Phuket, southwest winds reach 20 to 40 kilometres per hour, waves two to three metres, and more than three metres during thunderstorms.
On the east coast along the Gulf of Thailand, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat are affected. Thunderstorms are expected on 40 percent of the area there. From Krabi southward, waves of one to two metres and more than two metres during thunderstorms are possible. Southwest winds reach 15 to 35 kilometres per hour.
Bangkok: thunderstorms and heavy rain possible
For Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, the weather service forecasts thunderstorms on 70 percent of the area and heavy rain in some places. Temperatures range between 25 and 35 degrees, with southwest winds of 10 to 25 kilometres per hour.