So.. the cool & dry season is upon us

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Not sure if anyone noticed but the season change was two days ago. I love it how you can pin-point the season change in Thailand almost down to the hour.

So no more rain of significance, and we'll see gradually cooling temperatures.

Also interesting that this immediately led to a jump in haze. Nothing like March, but it goes to show that so much of what you see in the atmosphere is determined directly by where the air comes from, and not (or, far less) by what anyone does in and around the Chiang Mai valley.

Still we should have some wonderful months of cool-ish mornings and evenings coming up, with nice sunshine during the day!

(Unless we get another spell of wet-season if the high pressure areas from China retreat again, but I'm still calling the season change now. (Which I'll likely regret soon but no matter. ))

[uptheos]

A good observation Winnie and a post that will no doubt bring out the "I'm more acclimatized to Thailand than you are" brigade.

Tales of long johns. duck filled down coats, electric heaters and 20 tog duvets to follow.

[JulieM]

For the first time this season I had to put on a t-shirt for sleeping last night. I keep the fan on and it was way too cold without a shirt.

[isanbirder]

Good news, Winnie. I'll be there, from Buriram, on the first bus tomorrow!

[uptheos]

A good observation Winnie and a post that will no doubt bring out the "I'm more acclimatized to Thailand than you are" brigade.

Tales of long johns. duck filled down coats, electric heaters and 20 tog duvets to follow.

Sorry, for those who are unfamiliar with a 'Tog'

http://southdownduvets.com/what-is-tog

[realthaideal]

For the most part it's clearly here/ the change is taking place. I do believe you called the end of the rainy season sometime last week and then a day or two of rains hit, so I'd hesitate to say it's the end of the rain too. Last year was weird also - rather than a clear end to the rain it went on n off all the way into Dec rather than just the rare 1-2 showers in Oct, Nov, Dec. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. I'm all for the weather as it is. A little dark this afternoon, but overall beautiful and temperate.

And yeah, the immediate bump in haze is weird too. But it also would reinforce that a major component of what people complain about is natural atmospheric things and simply visible air. There's no way that pollution built up in 1-2 days, nor did smoke from fires blow in from surrounding regions. It's just thick n balmy air. (Why do I feel like someone's not going to just let these last remarks sit as they are??)

[Jdiddy]

Missing the clearish hot days of last week, especially compared to the hazy depressing morning we had today

[femi fan]

I'm sure you will have to regret your early call!

It seems to me that every single year at the start of october there is no rain, it cools down a bit, and everyone says the rainy season is over. Others have, as usual, been saying this to me.

Then, in the second half of october we get a last blast of rain, as if the rainy season is saying 'fooled ya', and squeezing one last bit of action out of itself.

We have had a rather dry wet season this year, but even so i fully expect this rain to come along, and perhaps it will even stray into november. The key to a drier rainy season is an unusually wet june, which we had this year. But the ending often seems to be a dry first half of october and a wet second half. We shall see!

So, keep those brollies to hand...

[dru2]

Yes, I noticed a distinct drop in temperature at night. But what seems to be new this year (and I've been here 25 years) is a marked increase in aircraft noise over Mae Hia. Is that just the change in the monsoonal winds direction from southwest to northeast?

If so, why does the aircraft noise seem substantially louder than in previous years? Climate change, or my increasing years?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

^ Windows open instead of shut with the aircon on?

As there's more flight traffic I notice a lot more flights departing towards the North. So that would mean a significant increase over the Nimmanhaemin area, Jed Yod, etc. But not so much Mae Hea really..

[northernjohn]

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A good observation Winnie and a post that will no doubt bring out the "I'm more acclimatized to Thailand than you are" brigade.

Tales of long johns. duck filled down coats, electric heaters and 20 tog duvets to follow. alt=biggrin.png>

Sorry, for those who are unfamiliar with a 'Tog'

http://southdownduvets.com/what-is-tog

The tog is a measure of thermal resistance, commonly used in the textile industry, and often seen quoted on, for example, duvets and carpet underlay.

[dru2]

^ Windows open instead of shut with the aircon on?

As there's more flight traffic I notice a lot more flights departing towards the North. So that would mean a significant increase over the Nimmanhaemin area, Jed Yod, etc. But not so much Mae Hea really..

Windows more or less permanently partly open - never use air con except March-April at the office. I agree about northern flights... less noticeable last night. Usually it doesn't bother me at all.

[jobin]

Suggest industrial muff type ear protectors when annoyed by noise. Much better result and comfort than earplugs.

[Konini]

This is my favourite time of the year, I much prefer the cool to the hot, and it's a time where I can really change the composition of meals, so we're not eating light things all year around, but can get some almost comfort food on the table. And it's not exactly chilly during the day - in the shade sometimes it is, but you only have to move out to the sun.

Our windows and doors will remain open, I like the air-flow/movement, and apart from dressing gown or sarong around my shoulders early morning, maybe a hoodie if really necessary later in the day, and a good old snuggle into the quilt and each other at bed time. I miss that during the hot months - no, I'm not talking about the obvious. Skin touching skin = sweaty and horrible. I miss having a cuddle when I'm asleep.

[Asiantravel]

" but I'm still calling the season change now. (Which I'll likely regret soon but no matter. )) "

any regrets?

[Greeen]

when the cool season comes me and my friends fly south...

bye bye CM

[Hisseho]

Posted 9/10/2014 8:57:48 p.m.

I'm sure you'll regret your call early!

It seems that every year at the beginning of October it does not rain, it cools a bit, and everyone says the rainy season is over. Others, as usual, was not saying it to me.

Then, in the second half of October we have a last breath of rain, as if the rainy season says' there is no dupe "and squeezing the last bit of action on itself.

We had a rather dry rainy season this year, but even if I intend to rain to come along, and maybe it will even be lost in November. The key to a dry-rainy season is unusually wet June 1, we've had this year. But the end often seems to be a dry first half of October and a second half wet. We'll see!

So, keep those umbrellas handy ...

A prescient post. The capricious nature and the current weather in your favor.

And for the medium-term evolution of the Dow Jones what is your opinion?

[circusman]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[jobin]

Call me Konini. I'm very cuddleable.

[A1Str8]

Yes. And?

[smotherb]

Suggest industrial muff type ear protectors when annoyed by noise. Much better result and comfort than earplugs.

I prefer closed windows, a/c, and soft music, or even the TV. Great for sleeping close together and in peace.

[garyinhuahin]

I'm glad to hear that all the rain we're having at Hua Hin is not of significance....

[joebrown]

Obviously Chiang Mai is suffering from a drought of worthwhile news! There was no evidence of the cool dry season on the Sukhumvit Road in Bang Saray (20km south of Pattaya) this afternoon because of the flooding. There is a downpour every day at the moment.

[Ricardo]

A good observation Winnie and a post that will no doubt bring out the "I'm more acclimatized to Thailand than you are" brigade.

Tales of long johns. duck filled down coats, electric heaters and 20 tog duvets to follow.

Sorry, for those who are unfamiliar with a 'Tog'

http://southdownduvets.com/what-is-tog

As in ... "raining Kats and Togs" ?

I used to have dyslexia, but now I can't even spell itt, let alone read it !

Sorry, it's a slow afternoon in MaeJo, waiting for the tourist-hordes to release their Kom-Lois & bugger-off again ! Wonder what the odds are, on another fierce storm, this year ?

[Coota]

It rained heavily all the night before last and have had intermittent showers since then. The rice fields still are flooded. I am in Surin and I am sick of it, heading to Chonburi Sunday to get a break from this humidity.

[FrankOff]

Sorry, not according to 10-day forecast...30-80% chance of rain everyday.

personally I don't feel the change of season yet, still too much humidity in the air.

But you are right Winnie, the change is quick and concise.

[Asiantravel]

I predict the change will occur on 1 November

[HerbalEd]

You gotta feeling did you? Anyone who can read a weather-history chart of Thailand could make such astounding declarations.

[Tassie Norm]

Greetings all. An absolutely delightful Sunday morn up here in Nong Khai. Clear skies, light breeze, dulcet sounds of neighbourhood activity. Great to be alive.

[soalbundy]

I'm in the Surin area and it pee's down every day, late start to the rainy season but it's making up for it by staying longer.