Thailand braces for severe weather with heavy rain, strong winds

Thailand faces severe weather conditions today, as the Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings of heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flash floods across 51 provinces. The northern and northeastern regions are expected to be particularly affected, with rain predicted to cover 70% of these areas.

TMD forecasted the weather for the next 24 hours, declaring that a moderate southwest monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Additionally, a low-pressure area over northern Vietnam is contributing to the adverse weather conditions in Thailand.

This combination is causing thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds in the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions. Residents in these areas are urged to exercise caution due to the risk of thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.

Mariners in the Andaman Sea are advised to be cautious, as moderate sea conditions are expected with waves reaching approximately one metre high. In the Gulf of Thailand, waves are expected to be less than 1 metre high, but areas experiencing thunderstorms may see waves exceeding 1 metre.

It is recommended that fishermen and small boats avoid navigating through stormy areas. From today, September 30, until October 3, the upper and southern parts of Thailand will experience unstable weather, with thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain in some areas, particularly in the northeastern, central, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces, eastern, and upper southern regions.

The northern region may also experience very heavy rainfall in certain areas. Following this period, cooler weather is expected, with strong winds and temperatures dropping by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius in the northeastern region.

Cooler temperatures

The expected change in weather is due to a moderate high-pressure system or cool air mass from China, which is expected to extend over the upper north, northeastern region, and the South China Sea. Additionally, a monsoon trough will pass through the upper north, lower northeastern, central, and eastern regions.

The weather forecast for Thailand indicates thunderstorms covering 70% of the northern region, with very heavy rain in some areas, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun. Temperatures will range from a minimum of 23 to 26 degrees Celsius (°C) to a maximum of 32 to 36°C, with southwest winds blowing at speeds of 5 to 15 kilometres per hour (kph).

In the northeastern region, thunderstorms are expected in 70% of the area, with heavy rain in provinces such as Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Temperatures will range from 23 to 26°C to 32 to 35°C, with southwest winds at 10 to 15 kph.

In the central region, 40% of the area will experience thunderstorms and strong winds, with heavy rain in provinces such as Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, and Saraburi. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26°C to 35 to 36°C, with southwest winds at 10 to 15 kph.

The eastern region will have thunderstorms covering 60% of the area, with heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Temperatures will range from 24 to 27°C to 32 to 35°C, with southwest winds at 15 to 30 kph. Waves in the sea will be about one metre high, and areas with thunderstorms will see waves exceeding 1 metre.

In the southern region (east coast), thunderstorms are expected in 40% of the area, with heavy rain mainly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26°C to 33 to 36°C, with southwest winds at 15 to 30 kph. The sea will have waves about 1 metre high, and areas with thunderstorms will see waves exceeding 1 metre.

Strong winds

The southern region (west coast) will experience thunderstorms in 60% of the area, with heavy rain mainly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26°C to 32 to 34°C.

From Phuket upwards, southwest winds will blow at 15 to 35 kph, with sea waves 1 to 2 metres high and more than two metres in areas with thunderstorms. From Krabi downwards, southwest winds will blow at 15 to 30 kph, with sea waves about one metre high and more than one metre in areas with thunderstorms.

Bangkok and its vicinity will have thunderstorms covering 60% of the area, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 27°C to 33 to 36°C, and southwest winds at 10 to 15 kph.