Bangkok and surrounding provinces to experience scattered summer storms, gusty winds, hail

Scattered summer storms, gusty winds and hail are predicted for Bangkok and the provinces of north, northeast, east and central plains today and tomorrow. A moderate high-pressure system is expected to cover northeastern Thailand and the South China Sea during the two-day period, the local weather office announced.

The upper regions are predicted to experience hot to extremely hot weather, with strong southerly and southeasterly winds executing humidity from the Gulf and the South China Sea, according to the Meteorological Department. Given these circumstances, several provinces in the north, northeast, east and central plains, including Bangkok and its surrounding areas, could encounter scattered summer storms that could bring powerful winds, isolated hail and lightning strikes today and tomorrow.

Today, the forecast for affected areas includes 11 provinces in the north – Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun; 15 provinces in the Northeast – Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani; six provinces in the Central Plains – Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri and Saraburi; and all eight eastern provinces.

Tomorrow, the forecast for affected areas includes 15 provinces in the north – Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun; 15 provinces in the northeast – Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani; 14 provinces in the central plains – Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom; Bangkok and its vicinity; and all eight provinces in the East.

Moreover, the Meteorological Department urged individuals to avoid dangerous outdoor locations when severe weather occurs, including the areas surrounding large trees, unsecured structures and billboards. It is also recommended for people not to wear metal and abstain from using mobile phones during storms. Farmers were advised to make necessary precautions to safeguard their crops from storm damage.

The department also noted that the easterly and southerly winds have been dominating the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, causing isolated thundershowers on the country’s western coast. Waves in the Gulf are expected to be about one metre in height and more than two metres during the thundershowers. As a result, shipping activities must be undertaken with caution.

Over the weekend, storms in Nakhon Phanom caused damage to over 700 houses across five districts, with That Phanom district experiencing the most devastation, reporting over 300 houses destroyed. In Khon Kaen, strong storms significantly affected numerous areas in the Phra Yuen district on Sunday, resulting in damage to over 250 houses. Additionally, large trees were uprooted, and a substantial billboard collapsed due to the storm.