Storm batters southern Thailand as cooler north warms up
Sudden temperature changes and strong winds spark safety warnings
Heavy rains are sweeping across southern Thailand as storms hit, while the northern region warms up. Officials warn of flooding risks as weather shifts nationwide.
A strong monsoon trough over the lower South, combined with a moderate northeast monsoon, is bringing heavy rain to southern Thailand. Residents are being warned of flash floods, especially in low-lying and foothill areas. Offshore, waves in the upper Gulf and upper Andaman Sea could reach 2 metres, rising higher in storms.
In the lower Gulf and Andaman Sea, waves may exceed 1 metre during thundershowers. Meanwhile, a weakening high-pressure system over upper Thailand is causing temperatures to rise by 1 to 2°C across the north, northeast, and central regions, though mornings remain cool with isolated light rain.
The forecast for 6am today, October 25, to 6am tomorrow, October 26, is as follows:
In North Thailand, the morning remains cool with temperatures expected to rise by one to two degrees. Light rain is anticipated in some areas. Daily temperatures will range from 19 to 24°C, climbing to 30 to 33°C in the afternoon. Mountain tops remain cold, with minimum temperatures between 9 to 15°C, and northeasterly winds blowing at 10 to 15 km/hr.
Northeastern Thailand will also wake to a cool start, with a slight rise in temperature and isolated rain in the lower zones. The mercury will swing from 19 to 23°C in the morning to 30 to 32°C by day’s end. Mountain peaks could drop to between 12 to 16°C, accompanied by northeasterly winds of 10 to 25 km/hr.
Central Thailand will see a morning chill with temperatures between 22 to 25°C, rising to highs of 31 to 33°C. Winds will remain light to moderate at 10 to 20 km/hr.
Eastern Thailand will be cloudy with a slight temperature rise and patchy rain, especially along the coast. Temperatures will range from 23 to 26°C, peaking at 31 to 34°C. Northeasterly winds at 15 to 35 km/hr will bring wave heights of about 1 metre, rising to 2 metres offshore and beyond during storms.
The east coast of South Thailand faces widespread storms with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Temperatures will hover between 23 to 26°C in the morning and reach 28 to 32°C during the day.
From Chumphon upwards, northeasterly winds of 15 to 35 km/hr are forecast, with waves reaching 1 to 2 metres, surging over 2 metres in thundershowers. From Surat Thani downward, variable winds of 15 to 30 km/hr will stir seas around 1 metre high, climbing beyond 2 metres during storms.
On the west coast, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun are all in the path of potentially severe thundershowers. Morning lows will sit between 23 to 25°C, with daytime highs of 28 to 31°C. Winds from Phangnga upward will come from the east at 15 to 30 km/hr, creating waves around 1 metre, with stronger conditions offshore and during thundershowers. South of Phuket, variable winds at 15 to 30 km/hr will generate similar sea conditions, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD).
In Bangkok and surrounding areas, cloudy skies are forecast with a slight temperature increase. Minimum temperatures will stay between 25 to 26°C, reaching 32 to 34°C during the day. Winds will remain steady from the northeast at 10 to 20 km/hr.
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