BANGKOK, THAILAND – Large parts of Thailand faced a spell of very hot days, while the south saw more rain and higher waves, prompting health warnings from the national weather agency.
General weather pattern and timeframe
According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the current forecast covered the period from 26 February to 3 March. During this time, particularly warm air masses were expected over the north, northeast, central region and the greater Bangkok area.
For the south, forecasters expected increased rainfall, stronger winds and higher waves in the Andaman Sea until 27 February. Rainfall there was predicted to gradually ease toward the turn of the month.
Developments in the north, northeast and central region
In the north and northeast, hot days with isolated thunderstorms were announced for 26 and 27 February. These conditions were to be accompanied by mostly light to moderate winds of 10 to 20 km/h.
Between 28 February and 3 March, daytime highs in these regions were expected to remain elevated, with minimum temperatures of about 18 to 25 degrees and peak values of 31 to 38 degrees. Only local, brief thunderstorms were anticipated.
East, south and maritime areas
For the east, prevailing southerly to southwesterly winds were forecast to bring hot days with scattered thunderstorms. Wave heights were generally expected to stay below 1 meter, rising slightly above that level near thunderstorms.
Along the west coast of the south, the weather service expected partly widespread thunderstorms until 27 February, with waves of 1 to 2 meters. In thunderstorm cells, wave heights could exceed 2 meters, while from 28 February northwesterly winds with somewhat less rain were anticipated.
Conditions in the Gulf, the south and Bangkok
On the east coast of the south, isolated to scattered thunderstorms were forecast until 27 February, with waves below 1 meter. In shower areas, waves could become somewhat higher, a factor considered particularly important for small boats.
In the greater Bangkok area, the Thai Meteorological Department initially expected isolated thunderstorms. This was to be followed by hot days with isolated showers, with lows of about 25 to 27 degrees and highs of 32 to 37 degrees.
Health warning and recommendations
For the period from 28 February to 3 March, the weather service explicitly called on the public to monitor their health because of the heat. People were urged to watch for signs of heat-related ailments.
Residents in all affected regions were advised to drink plenty of fluids and avoid staying unprotected in direct sunlight for extended periods. Coastal residents and seafarers were asked to pay close attention to guidance on wind and wave conditions.