BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand braced for a marked shift in weather with thunderstorms, lower temperatures and stronger winds forecast across the country from 8 to 11 February, according to the national weather service.
Cold air from China to drive nationwide cooldown
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that between 8 and 11 February a moderate to strong high-pressure system, described as a cold air mass from China, was expected to spread over northern parts of the country. At the start of this phase, forecasters anticipated thunderstorms before temperatures dropped significantly and winds strengthened noticeably. Conditions at sea were set to worsen in the lower Gulf of Thailand, where waves of around 2 metres and higher could be recorded.
Short-term warming before change on 8 February
For 7 February, the TMD indicated that northern and other upper regions would see a further temperature increase with morning fog, as the existing high-pressure system temporarily weakened. Over the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, conditions on 7 February were expected to calm somewhat, with wave heights of about 1 to 2 metres in the lower Gulf due to a weaker northeast monsoon.
Regional forecasts for northern and northeastern areas
In the North, from 5 to 7 February it was forecast to be cold to cool with morning fog and slightly rising temperatures. Between 9 and 11 February, temperatures in this region were expected to fall again by 1 to 3 degrees, with minimum values between 13 and 18 degrees and cooler air moving in from the northeast. In the Northeast, cold to cool nights with a slight temperature increase were projected from 5 to 7 February, before a drop of 3 to 5 degrees from 8 to 11 February, accompanied by strong northeasterly winds and isolated rain in the southern part of the region on 8 February.
Central, eastern regions and Bangkok outlook
In the central region, mornings were expected to remain rather cool with fog and some denser fog patches until 8 February, with only isolated thunderstorms. From 9 to 11 February, stronger winds and a temperature decrease of 1 to 3 degrees were forecast. Along the eastern coast, local showers and thunderstorms were likely over up to 40 percent of the area from 5 to 8 February, while from 9 February the northeasterly wind was set to intensify, temperatures to edge lower and waves off the coast to rise to between 1 and 2 metres.
South, Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea conditions
On the east coast of the South, upper sections were expected to be cool in the mornings, with thunderstorms initially over 10 to 20 percent of the area, increasing to 20 to 40 percent between 8 and 11 February. The northeast wind in this period was forecast to generate waves of 1 to 2 metres and higher in thunderstorm zones. On the west coast of the South, only light rain with waves below 1 metre was expected from 5 to 7 February, but from 8 to 11 February thunderstorms were likely over 10 to 20 percent of the area, with waves around 1 metre near the shore and 1 to 2 metres further offshore.
Advice for farmers and Bangkok residents
Between 7 and 9 February, the TMD advised farmers in upper regions to protect their fields and livestock against potential damage from thunderstorm gusts and strong winds.
“Farmers in the upper parts of the country should proactively protect their fields and livestock from possible damage caused by thunderstorm gusts and strong winds between 7 and 9 February.”
said Thai Meteorological Department, national weather agency. For Bangkok and surrounding areas, the weather service forecast cool mornings with fog and rising temperatures from 5 to 8 February, with thunderstorms possible over 20 to 30 percent of the capital between 7 and 9 February and, from 9 February, cooler mornings with a noticeably stronger northeasterly wind and slightly falling temperatures.
Public urged to prepare for unstable weather
The TMD underlined that thunderstorms, strong winds and falling temperatures were approaching while weather conditions across the country became more unstable.
“Thunderstorms, strong winds and falling temperatures are imminent nationwide. Farmers and boat operators in particular should prepare as conditions become more unstable across the country.”
said Thai Meteorological Department, national weather agency.