Heavy rain to batter 23 provinces in Thailand including Bangkok

Heavy rain is expected to batter 23 provinces today, with Bangkok also facing a 70% chance of severe downpours. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of flash floods and forest runoffs, urging residents to stay alert and take precautions.

TMD forecasts that the eastern and western regions of the northern part of Thailand will experience very heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, the upper northeastern region and the western central region will also see significant downpours in some areas. This weather pattern is due to a moderate southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, coupled with a low-pressure trough over northern Vietnam.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to be cautious of the dangers from heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation, which may lead to flash floods and forest runoffs. This is particularly critical for those living near mountain slopes, water flow paths, and low-lying areas.

In the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand, waves are expected to reach about 2 metres in height, with areas experiencing thunderstorms seeing waves higher than 2 metres. In the lower Andaman Sea and the lower Gulf of Thailand, waves will be between 1 and 2 metres high, with stormy areas seeing waves exceeding 2 metres. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution and avoid navigating through storm-prone areas.

Additionally, the strong tropical storm Kemi over Fujian province in China is expected to weaken gradually and will not directly impact the weather in Thailand. Nonetheless, travellers to the affected regions are advised to check weather conditions before their journey.

The weather forecast for Thailand from 6am today, July 26, to 6am tomorrow indicates thunderstorms in the northern region, covering 60% of the area, with heavy to very heavy rain in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. The temperature will range from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius at its lowest and 30 to 34°C at its highest, with southwest winds blowing at 10 to 25 kilometres per hour.

Other regions

In the northeastern region, thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the area, with heavy rain in Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom provinces. Temperatures will be between 24 and 26°C at their lowest and 30 to 34°C at their highest, with southwest winds at 10 to 25 kilometres per hour.

The central region will see thunderstorms in 60% of the area, with heavy rainfall in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces. The temperature will range from 23 to 26°C at its lowest and 29 to 33°C at its highest, with southwest winds blowing at 10 to 25 kilometres per hour.

The eastern region will have thunderstorms in 70% of the area, with very heavy rain in Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Temperatures will range from 24 to 28°C at their lowest and 28 to 33°C at their highest, with southwest winds blowing at 20 to 35 kilometres per hour. The sea will have waves about 2 metres high, with areas experiencing thunderstorms seeing waves higher than 2 metres.

In the southern region (eastern coast), thunderstorms are expected in 30% of the area, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani provinces. Temperatures will be between 24 and 27°C at their lowest and 30 to 37°C at their highest.

From Surat Thani upwards, southwest winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves reaching 1 to 2 metres in height, and areas with thunderstorms seeing waves exceeding 2 metres. From Nakhon Si Thammarat downwards, southwest winds will blow at 15 to 30 kilometres per hour, with waves about 1 metre high, and stormy areas seeing waves higher than 1 metre.

The southern region (western coast) will have thunderstorms in 30% of the area, mainly in Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket provinces. Temperatures will range from 25 to 27°C at their lowest and 30 to 35°C at their highest.

From Phuket upwards, southwest winds will blow at 20 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves about 2 metres high, and stormy areas seeing waves higher than 2 metres. From Krabi downwards, southwest winds will blow at 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, with waves 1 to 2 metres high, and stormy areas seeing waves exceeding 2 metres.

Bangkok and its surrounding areas will experience thunderstorms in 70% of the area. Temperatures will range from 26 to 27°C at their lowest and 31 to 34°C at their highest, with southwest winds blowing at 10 to 25 kilometres per hour, reported KhaoSod.