Thailand braces for monsoon madness, chilly north, rough seas

Batten down the hatches and grab your brollies, there’s wild weather on the horizon. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning across Thailand, as heavy monsoons are set to unleash torrential rain on 13 provinces, with the southern region bearing the brunt, and northern Thailand shivering under cooler temperatures.

Today, November 11, a cold air mass hailing from China is making its presence felt across the northern and northeastern regions, bringing crisp morning weather. Residents are advised to bundle up and take care as the temperature plummets to a brisk 9 degrees on the highest mountaintops.

However, as the northeast monsoon mixes with a weather disturbance, expect the southern part of the country to get drenched, with the potential for very heavy rains. Weather experts are stressing the risk of flash floods and forest run-off, particularly in vulnerable hillside and lowland areas.

Out to sea, conditions are choppy, with waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea reaching heights of 1-2 metres, jumping to over 2 metres during thunderstorms. Mariners should exercise caution, staying clear of treacherous weather pockets, KhaoSod reported.

Typhoon watch

Meanwhile, the notorious Typhoon “Yinxing” weakened to a severe tropical storm as it drifted towards Hainan Island, China, and Vietnam’s central coastline. While it’s anticipated to downgrade further, the storm isn’t expected to hit Thai shores. Travellers to these areas, though, should stay weather-wise.

Northern region: Expect cool morning weather with lows of 18-21°C, tipping to highs of 31-34°C. Chillier mountaintops to plummet to 9-15°C.

Northeastern region: Similar cool morning conditions with temps between 17-21°C and highs of 32-34°C. Temperatures on peaks range from 12-16°C.

Central region: Mornings remain cool with temperatures from 22-24°C, peaking at a warm 32-34°C.

Eastern region: Partly cloudy skies might sprinkle some light rain, with temperatures ranging from 22-25°C to highs of 33-35°C. Sea waves are stirred up, reaching 1 metre, and up to 2 metres offshore.

Southern region (East Coast): Thunderstorms cover 60% of this area with intense rain spots, while temperatures sit between 23-25°C and push up to 31-34°C.

Southern region (West Coast): 40% of the area will experience storms. Expect minimums of 24-25°C and highs of 30-35°C.

Bangkok & Surrounding Areas: Partly cloudy with temperatures dipping to 23-25°C and climbing to 33-35°C.

As Thailand braces for a meteorological rollercoaster, stay prepared with your waterproofs, keep an eye on weather updates, and take necessary precautions!