Brace for a downpour: 42 provinces in for a wet and wild ride

Weather forecasts indicate heavy rain in 42 provinces tomorrow, with the northern region facing the most intense downpours, reaching up to 80%. Residents are advised to be cautious of flash floods and forest runoffs.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a 24-hour weather forecast, predicting heavy rainfall in the northern and upper northeastern regions. Some areas in the central upper, eastern, and lower southern regions may also experience significant rain.

The public in these regions should be wary of potential dangers from heavy to very heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash floods and forest runoffs, especially in areas near slopes, waterways, and low-lying regions. This weather pattern is due to a relatively strong monsoon trough passing through the northern and upper northeastern regions into a low-pressure cell over Hainan, China.

Additionally, a moderate southwesterly monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea, southern, central, eastern regions, and the Gulf of Thailand, with converging wind patterns in the lower Gulf of Thailand and lower southern regions.

The TMD today, September 24, warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall and sudden flooding. Wave conditions in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are moderate, with waves reaching 1 to 2 metres high from Phang Nga upward in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand.

In the Andaman Sea from Phuket downward and the lower Gulf of Thailand, waves are about 1 metre high but can exceed 2 metres in thunderstorm areas. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid areas with thunderstorms.

Heavy rain

In the north, thunderstorms are expected in 80% of the area, with heavy to very heavy rain in some parts of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun. Temperatures will range from 22 to 24 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 28 to 32 degrees Celsius at the highest, with variable winds blowing at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour.

In the northeastern region, 70% of the area will experience thunderstorms, with heavy to very heavy rain in some parts of Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, and Mukdahan. Temperatures will range from 22 to 24 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 29 to 33 degrees Celsius at the highest, with variable winds blowing at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

In the central region, thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the area, with heavy rain in some parts of Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, and Kanchanaburi. Temperatures will range from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 32 to 34 degrees Celsius at the highest, with southwesterly winds blowing at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

In the eastern region, thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the area, with heavy rain in some parts of Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Temperatures will range from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 31 to 34 degrees Celsius at the highest, with southwesterly winds blowing at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour. Sea waves will be 1 to 2 metres high, exceeding 2 metres in thunderstorm areas.

In the southern region (eastern coast), thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, with heavy rain in some parts of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat. Temperatures will range from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 32 to 35 degrees Celsius at the highest.

From Surat Thani upward, southwesterly winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with sea waves 1 to 2 metres high, exceeding 2 metres in thunderstorm areas. From Nakhon Si Thammarat downward, southwesterly winds will blow at 15 to 30 kilometres per hour, with sea waves about 1 metre high, exceeding 2 metres in thunderstorm areas.

Thunderstorms

In the southern region (western coast), thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, mainly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Trang, and Satun. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 31 to 34 degrees Celsius at the highest.

From Phang Nga upward, southwesterly winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with sea waves 1 to 2 metres high, exceeding 2 metres in thunderstorm areas. From Phuket downward, southwesterly winds will blow at 15 to 30 kilometres per hour, with sea waves about 1 metre high, exceeding 2 metres in thunderstorm areas, reported KhaoSod.

In Bangkok and its vicinity, thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the area. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius at the lowest and 32 to 35 degrees Celsius at the highest, with southwesterly winds blowing at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.