Weather - Help Please!!

[NomadAz]

Hello! My partner and I are going to Koh Samui on the 17th of this month (June) and the forecasts predict rain and clouds. This is our first time to Koh Samui, we really was hoping for the sun to be out. Will it ruin our holiday? We have snorkelling and kayaking trips organised ???? Your help here would be really appreciated, thank you in advance!! A

Edited June 7, 2019 by NomadAz

[RichardColeman]

You booked a holiday during Thailand's rainy season. I suspect you got it cheap. 

[mfd101]

Shouldn't be a problem while you're snorkelling.

Edited June 7, 2019 by mfd101

[KhunBENQ]

Calm down.

May not be the time for crysyal clear skies but also not the height of rainy season for Samui (which has it's peak rain during Oct/Nov).

If Thai Met writes 30 to 40% chance of rain that does not mean much (could be a shower or not).

Up-to-date screenshot:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgS54H9cokY

 

Edited June 7, 2019 by KhunBENQ

[KhunBENQ]

Suggest to move this to the Samui forum for more expertise.

 

[NomadAz]

Thank you everyone, much appreciated. 

[khunPer]

3 hours ago, NomadAz said:

My partner and I are going to Koh Samui on the 17th of this month (June) and the forecasts predict rain and clouds.

The better weather-forecast site only covers until June 16th so far, so what happens thereafter is like looking in a crystal ball (yes, some can). A good site to check the weather for Samui (and other destinations) is Norwegian YR here.

 

While on Samui you can combine with the weather radar in Surat Thani, which you can find here.

 

June is a very nice month at Samui, and even the raining season officially begin mid April and last till mid January – we only ghave two seasons, dry and rain – its only from mid October Samui get heavy monsoon rain, so don't worry too much (Phuket-side / Andaman Sea has its rainy season in the summer, Samui-side / Southern Gulf in the fall).

 

June:

• Average rainy days: 13.7
• Average downpour: 124 mm
• Mean monthly sunshine hours: 150
• Mean daily sunshine hours: 5

 

You might normally experience few showers, some of them thunder showers – and that might mainly be at night – be but also lots of sunshine. Can be cloudy some days, and also days with light rain, but not cold and windy; however wind gusts up to a thunder shower. The sea is normally calm, so fine for snorkling, and boat trips around the archipelago – you might even enjoy a bit clouds, as the sun can be very strong, especially when on sea, be aware – don't miss some trips, either by kayak to some of the islands at South of Samui, or by speed boat and kayaking in Ang Thong Marine Park...????

 

My personally preferred months on Samui are May and June – both because of the weather, but also as its low season so not to crowded everywhere – and I live here, so I can choose whatever months I like...????

 

 

Edited June 7, 2019 by khunPer

[PoorSucker]

Don't worry, this time of year is the western monsoon. 

Almost all the rain falls in the Andaman regions, Phuket etc. 

Samui might get a half hour shower per day usually at sunset. 

It's a good time to come. 

[NomadAz]

Thank you so much! It's really great to know there are helpful people out there such as you guys! It is really appreciated. 8 days till we leave and i am so excited ???? ???? 

[islandguy]

Never easy to predict the weather, but for ocean activities would recommend trying to book last minute so as not to be committed to a day that is windier than you would like. Rain squalls with gusty winds often happen in the afternoon this time of year so morning is usually better, often much better. Hard to book at the last minute for an early morning trip, but you can’t trust the local tour operators to cancel or give a rain check. They are going to just go every day they can. Actually, not booking at all, but just showing up early at the pier the company you have checked out and like uses would probably work fine, but not the way most visitors arrange these trips. If you are not used to ocean kayaking remember that if it is windy you may not be able to paddle back against a wind that gets stronger, again morning is usually better. You should be fine, this is all done all the time here, but you need to be aware of conditions and make your own informed decisions to make sure you have a fun and safe experience.

[islandguy]

Reread you post and saw you have ‘organized’ your ocean activities. I would still try to keep some flexibility on what day you actually use those bookings if you still can. If i woke up here today planning to go on a snorkel trip, for instance, i would want to postpone. If a friend who was a beginner at kayaking wanted to go out right now where I live on the West side of the island, you could still do it but it would be a lot less fun for a beginner. But probably more fun for me! Still might be fine right now to be on the leeward coast of the island for kayaking but not snorkeling. The prime spots for ocean activities are away from Samui Island, many operators use 20-40 pax speedboats with powerful outboards and cowboy captains to get there. Can be really a pounding ride if there is any swell at all. If you or your partner have any back issues, there are some  bigger boat with a different hull design.

[PoorSucker]

For a day trip, I recommend Koh Taen, Koh Mudsum. 

This is where I bring my guests. 

The package tour is 1.600 baht/each for tourists online. 

I just go to ban thong krut in the south of the Island and charter a boat for 5000 baht for us and our guests, good option is you can fill a long tail boat (8-12 person). 

[wilcopops]

On 6/7/2019 at 11:14 AM, mfd101 said:

Shouldn't be a problem while you're snorkelling.

Water visibility is often impaired during the rainy season. However local pollution often masks that.

[Lacessit]

It rarely rains all day in Thailand. The pattern seems to be a hot day followed by a rainstorm of half to one hour in the late afternoon. Don't think the OP has much to worry about.

[fishtank]

As said, rainy season is November.

This time of year expect afternoon thunderstorms for an hour.

This is the tropics after all.

[wilcopops]

Samui has a double wet season. Like the rest of Thailand it starts around May and continues to the beginning of November. But then with the turn around of the monsoon from the Southwest to Northeast, whilst most of the rest of the country enters the cool dry season, Samui gets its 2 wettest months as the NW monsoon picks up rain over the Gulf and drops it on the island.

Outside then, May is traditionally the 3rd wettest month and the wet continues onwards after that.

This year has been one of the hottest and driest on record. However that is no guarantee about the rest of the year.

Rain on Samui is seldom universal, it can be very much localised, however the incidences of flash flooding, power cuts, water supplies and internet cut off tend to increase as the island infrastructure struggles to cope.

 

The sea visibility is often restricted by run off which is virtually uncontrolled and beaches can beget damaged.

You will however certainly see the sun.....just be prepared to take cover at short notice.

 

 

[khunPer]

8 hours ago, wilcopops said:

May is traditionally the 3rd wettest month and the wet continues onwards after that.

Really?
May used to be number 4, and with little lower downpour the following months until October...

[wilcopops]

I have news for you...... the weather doesn't actually know the date nor can it count days .....you might want to look at more than one source too.

You are just looking at a set of figures that confirm the southeast wet season and northeast monsoon extra wet  patch.

[PoorSucker]

My source is a Swedish expat that lived here 40 years, combined with my 14 years we still say November and December is rainy season may is nice.

Sent from my 5058I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[wilcopops]

Im surprised 

Edited June 11, 2019 by wilcopops

[wilcopops]

I'm surprised you realise how unscientific that would be.

[elliss]

On 6/7/2019 at 11:08 AM, RichardColeman said:

You booked a holiday during Thailand's rainy season. I suspect you got it cheap. 

 

 Weather or not , i would go .  Please keep us informed.

   Thai movies soo boring tonight . 

  Thx .

[PoorSucker]

3 hours ago, wilcopops said:

I'm surprised you realise how unscientific that would be.

Average rainfall Samui.