Weather alert: 44 Thai provinces warned of heavy rain and storms

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, alerting 44 provinces to expect heavy rainfall. Bangkok is advised to brace for storms from afternoon to evening, with rain expected to cover 40% of the area. The southern region’s seas are also predicted to experience high waves.

The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates that the southwest monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a low-pressure cell is situated along the coast of northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. These conditions are likely to cause thunderstorms across Thailand during this period.

In the Andaman Sea, waves are expected to reach heights of 1 to 2 metres, and areas experiencing thunderstorms might see waves exceeding 2 metres. Mariners are advised to exercise caution and avoid sailing in stormy areas. Additionally, the strong tropical storm Awinia located east of Taiwan is moving eastwards towards Japan. This storm is not expected to impact Thailand’s weather.

In the northern region, thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the area, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. The temperature will range from a low of 25°C to 26°C to a high of 34°C to 36°C, with southwesterly winds blowing at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

The northeastern region will see thunderstorms in 30% of the area, especially in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Temperatures will range from 25°C to 28°C to 35°C to 36°C, with southwesterly winds at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

Heavy rain

In the central region, 40% of the area is expected to experience thunderstorms, particularly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Saraburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram provinces. The temperature will range from 26°C to 28°C to 35°C to 36°C, with southwesterly winds at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

The eastern region will have thunderstorms covering 40% of the area, mainly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Temperatures will range from 27°C to 29°C to 33°C to 36°C, with southwesterly winds at 15 to 30 kilometres per hour. The sea will have waves about 1 metre high, with higher waves in thunderstorm areas.

In the southern region (eastern coast), 20% of the area is predicted to have thunderstorms, especially in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces. Temperatures will range from 25°C to 28°C to 35°C to 36°C, with southwesterly winds at 10 to 30 kilometres per hour. The sea will have waves below 1 metre, with higher waves in thunderstorm areas.

The southern region (western coast) will see thunderstorms in 40% of the area, mainly in Krabi, Trang, and Satun provinces. The temperature will range from 26°C to 28°C to 34°C to 35°C. In areas from Krabi northwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves 1 to 2 metres high, and over 2 metres in thunderstorm areas. From Trang southwards, winds will be 15 to 30 kilometres per hour, with waves about 1 metre high, rising to 1 to 2 metres in thunderstorm areas, reported KhaoSod.

Bangkok and its vicinity are expected to experience thunderstorms covering 40% of the area, mostly in the afternoon to evening. Temperatures will range from 27°C to 29°C to 35°C to 37°C, with southwesterly winds at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.

The TMD reiterated the need for caution, particularly in the 44 provinces forecast to face heavy rainfall today.