Thailand braces for cold weather and possible thunderstorms

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Darcey Beau, Unsplash

 

by Bright Choomanee

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted cold to very cold weather across northern and northeastern Thailand, with temperatures dropping to single digits. Bangkok will see temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius. Additionally, five provinces are expected to experience thunderstorms today, January 20.

 

Over the next 24 hours, the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions will continue to experience cool to cold weather with morning fog. Upper southern parts, including Bangkok and surrounding areas, will have cool mornings.

Mountain peaks and highland areas may see very cold conditions with potential frost. Residents across Thailand are advised to take care of their health due to the persistent cold weather and to be cautious of potential fire hazards due to dry conditions.

 

Additionally, caution is advised when travelling in foggy areas. These conditions are due to a moderate high-pressure system, or cold air mass, covering upper Thailand and the South China Sea.

The northeastern monsoon affecting the Gulf of Thailand, the southern region, and the Andaman Sea is weakening, leading to reduced rainfall in the lower southern region. The sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea remain moderate. In the lower Gulf of Thailand, waves are approximately 2 metres high, while in the upper Gulf of Thailand, waves range from 1 to 2 metres.

 

Areas with thunderstorms may see waves exceeding 2 metres. The Andaman Sea experiences waves around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid areas with thunderstorms.

Weather forecast

Air pollution remains a concern due to poor to weak air dispersion and persistent surface inversion, limiting the spread of pollutants. The concentration of dust particles is expected to rise.

 

In the northern region, temperatures will range from 12 to 17 degrees Celsius, with highs between 28 and 33 degrees Celsius. Mountain peaks may experience temperatures as low as 3 to 10 degrees Celsius. Northeastern winds will blow at 5 to 15 kilometres per hour.

 

The northeastern region will have temperatures between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius, with highs of 28 to 32 degrees Celsius. Mountain areas may see lows of 7 to 12 degrees Celsius, with northeasterly winds at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour.

 

In the central region, temperatures will range from 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, with highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius. Northeastern winds will blow at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour.

 

The eastern region will experience temperatures between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius, with highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius. Northeasterly winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore.

The upper southern region will have cool mornings with 20% thunderstorms, mainly in Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Temperatures will range from 19 to 24 degrees Celsius, with 30 to 32 degrees Celsius highs. Northeasterly winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves of 1 to 2 metres.

 

Thunderstorms

 

In the lower southern region, northeasterly winds will blow at 20 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves around 2 metres, increasing beyond 2 metres in thunderstorms.

 

The upper western southern region will experience cool mornings with light rain in some areas, mainly in the lower parts. Temperatures will range from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius, with highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius.

 

Northeasterly winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore, reported KhaoSod.

 

Bangkok and its surrounding areas will have cool weather with light morning fog. Temperatures will range from 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, with highs of 32 to 34 degrees Celsius. Northeasterly winds will blow at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2025-01-20

 

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok will see temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius.

Leave the coat in the wardrobe a bit longer then.

[khunjeff]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The upper western southern region

 

That's a confusingly specific designation 🧐

[SiSePuede419]

It's usually cool in the morning in Chiang Rai well into the smoke season in February. 🔥

A lot of people in Thailand never see the cool season only hot and very hot season. ☠️

[GammaGlobulin]

Someday, maybe, the increasing instability in the polar jet stream may bring us some REALLY cold days.

 

 

When they say really cold here, then I normally think of some place like Mongolia, or Harbin, China, maybe minus 50-degrees C, or something.

If this ever happens during our Cool Season in Thailand, then how might we survive?

 

 

 

 

Another thing I often worry about:

 

With these increasingly unstable Polar Vortices, it may someday be possible that we will up to a meter of snow in Chiang Mai.

And then.....

Who will shovel the snow????

 

As far as I know, Thailand shops do not sell proper snow shovels.

 

 

 

[SiSePuede419]

Brrr. 52F is cold..?!? 🙄