BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s meteorological agency warned that persistent heat and widespread thunderstorms would intensify into pronounced summer storms with hail, lightning and strong gusts from 23 February, particularly in the north and northeast, while seas in storm areas remained risky with waves above 2 metres.
High Heat and Thunderstorms Dominate Current Pattern
According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), the prevailing high-pressure or cold air mass over the northeast and the South China Sea weakened by 22 February, while moist southerly and southeasterly winds continued to trigger thunderstorms over upper Thailand. In the south, isolated storms were also possible, with easterly and southeasterly winds over the Gulf of Thailand, the south and the Andaman Sea producing moderate seas with waves of 1–2 metres, rising above 2 metres in thunderstorm zones.
Summer Storms Forecast for 23–26 February
For 23–26 February, the TMD announced so‑called summer storms in upper Thailand, starting in the northeast before spreading to the north, the central region, Bangkok and surrounding provinces, as well as the eastern coast. The agency said this pattern would bring thunderstorms, strong gusty winds, localised heavy rain, hail and lightning, after which the heat was expected to ease slightly due to a following push of cold air from China.
New Cold Air Pulse and Marine Conditions
After the summer storms, another high-pressure or cold air mass from China was expected to cover the northeast and the South China Sea. In combination with southerly and southeasterly winds over the northeast, central and eastern regions and the Gulf of Thailand, as well as a western upper trough over the north and northeast, this was forecast to maintain hot weather across upper Thailand. In the south, the TMD still anticipated isolated thunderstorms despite weakening winds, while wave heights in the Gulf and Andaman Sea were forecast to drop to about 1 metre, exceeding 2 metres only in thunderstorm areas.
Warnings for Public and Farmers
For 23–25 February, the TMD urged residents of upper Thailand to protect themselves from hazards associated with thunderstorms, strong winds, hail and lightning. People were advised to avoid open areas, large trees and unstable billboards, and to refrain from travelling through storm zones where possible.
Farmers were told to secure fruit trees and installations, take precautions to protect crops and livestock, and pay close attention to their health under the changeable weather conditions.
“People in upper Thailand should protect themselves from thunderstorms, strong winds, hail and lightning and avoid risky areas, while farmers should secure crops, trees and animals and closely monitor their health during this volatile weather,”
said the Thai Meteorological Department, the national weather agency.
Regional Forecast: North and Northeast
For the north, the TMD reported cool morning temperatures with fog, isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds, especially in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan and Tak. Minimum temperatures were expected at 19–24 degrees Celsius and maximums at 31–37 degrees, while mountain peaks would remain cold to very cold at 7–15 degrees. In the northeast, mornings were forecast to stay cool at 18–23 degrees with daytime highs between 32–35 degrees, and higher elevations cool to cold at 13–18 degrees.
Heat in Central Region and East
The central region was expected to be hot and hazy during the day, with lows of 22–26 degrees and highs of 34–37 degrees. In the east, the TMD forecast hot, hazy daytime conditions with isolated showers, mainly along the coast, where minimum temperatures would range from 23–26 degrees and maximum temperatures from 32–36 degrees.
Storm Risk Along Southern Coasts
Along the east coast of the south, isolated thunderstorms were forecast mainly in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani and Yala, with nighttime lows of 22–25 degrees and daytime highs of 31–34 degrees. On the west coast of the south, isolated storms were expected primarily in Trang and Satun, with minimum temperatures of 23–25 degrees and maximums of 33–35 degrees, while seas were forecast to be moderate outside thunderstorm zones.
Bangkok Under Summer Storm Influence
For the Bangkok metropolitan region, the weather service predicted hot and hazy daytime conditions, with lows of 25–26 degrees and highs of 34–36 degrees. The capital lay within the influence of the announced summer storms, which could bring thunderstorms, strong gusts and locally intense rainfall over the coming days.