Rain check: 43 Thailand provinces brace for a deluge of trouble

Weather forecasts predict heavy rain across 43 provinces tomorrow, raising concerns about flash floods and forest runoff, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas. The Thai Meteorological Department‘s (TMD) 24-hour forecast highlights the potential dangers.

Heavy rains are expected due to the prevailing southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Southern Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. An additional monsoon trough from the southwest and east affects the southern and eastern regions, causing significant rainfall in the north, northeast, Bangkok and its vicinity, east, and south.

Residents are advised to be cautious of heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could lead to sudden floods and forest runoff, particularly in sloped areas near waterways and lowlands.

The Andaman Sea, Southern Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand are experiencing mild winds, resulting in wave heights of around 1 metre. However, thunderstorms can produce waves exceeding 2 metres. Mariners in these regions are urged to navigate cautiously and avoid sailing in stormy weather.

In the north, thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the area with heavy rain in specific locales, including Phrae, Nan, Kamphaeng Phet, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phichit, and Phetchabun. Temperatures will range from 22 to 24°C at the lowest to 30 to 32°C at the highest, with southwest winds of 5 to 15 kilometres per hour.

The northeast will also see thunderstorms in 60% of the region, with heavy rain in Loei, Chaiyaphum, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Temperatures are expected to be between 22 and 24°C and 28 and 33°C, with southwest winds moving at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

Heavy rainfall

Central Thailand will have thunderstorms covering 40% of the area, primarily in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon. The temperature will be 23 to 25°C at its lowest and 31 to 34°C at its highest, with southwest winds at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

In the east, thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area with heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Temperatures will range from 23 to 25°C to 31 to 34°C, with southwest winds at 10 to 30 kilometres per hour. The sea will have waves about 1 metre high, reaching over 2 metres in thunderstorms.

The southern region’s eastern coast will have 60% of the area experiencing thunderstorms and heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat. The temperature will be between 23 and 25°C at its lowest and 32 and 34°C at its highest, with eastern winds at 15 to 30 kilometres per hour. The sea will have waves of about 1 metre, exceeding 2 metres in thunderstorms.

On the western coast of the south, 60% of the area will face thunderstorms, especially in Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Temperatures will range from 23 to 25°C to 31 to 34°C, with southwest winds at 10 to 30 kilometres per hour. The sea will have 1-metre waves, reaching over 2 metres during thunderstorms, reported KhaoSod.

Bangkok and its vicinity will experience thunderstorms in 60% of the area, with some heavy rain. The temperature will be 25 to 26°C at its lowest and 32 to 34°C at its highest, with southwest winds at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.