Scorching heat sparks storm warning across 26 Thai provinces

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning of thunderstorms across 26 provinces, accompanied by strong gusts in some areas. Amidst scorching heat, temperatures are expected to soar as high as 41 degrees Celsius today, April 22.

A low-pressure system caused by intense heat covering the upper part of Thailand is contributing to the generally hot to very hot weather conditions, with isolated thundershowers expected during the day.

Residents are advised to take care of their health due to the extreme heat by avoiding outdoor activities for prolonged periods. While southwesterly and southerly winds prevail over upper Thailand, this pattern leads to thunderstorms and possibly strong winds in some areas.

The public in these regions should remain vigilant against the dangers posed by the storms and gusts during this period. For the Andaman Sea and the lower south, westerly and northwesterly winds are combining with easterly and southeasterly winds over the lower Gulf of Thailand, leading to increased rainfall in the lower southern region, including heavy rain in some places.

In the Andaman Sea, the sea conditions are expected to be rough with waves reaching about 1 metre in height and exceeding 1 metre in stormy areas. Mariners are cautioned to navigate carefully and avoid sailing in storm-affected zones. During this period, the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions are experiencing moderate to high levels of dust and haze accumulation due to weak winds and poor air circulation.

The weather forecast for Thailand from 6am today until 6am tomorrow indicates hot to very hot conditions across the northern region, with isolated thundershowers expected, affecting about 10% of the area, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, and Tak provinces.

The lowest temperatures are predicted to be between 23-29 degrees Celsius, while the highest could range from 38-43 degrees Celsius. Southwesterly winds are expected to blow at speeds of 5-15 kilometres per hour.

Thunderstorms forecasted

Similar conditions are expected in the northeastern region, with thunderstorms forecasted for about 10% of the area, especially in Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Temperatures are likely to vary between 24-28 degrees Celsius for the lows and 39-41 degrees Celsius for the highs, with southwesterly winds at speeds of 5-15 kilometres per hour.

The central region will also experience generally hot to very hot weather, with isolated thunderstorms in about 10% of the area, mainly in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Uthai Thani. The temperature range is expected to be 26-30 degrees Celsius for the low and 39-42 degrees Celsius for the high, with southwesterly winds at 10-20 kilometres per hour.

In the eastern region, the weather is generally hot, with very hot conditions in some areas and thunderstorms affecting about 20% of the region, particularly in Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Temperatures are expected to be 26-30 degrees Celsius for the low and 35-41 degrees Celsius for the high, with southerly winds at speeds of 10-30 kilometres per hour and waves in the sea less than one metre high, rising above one metre in stormy conditions.

The southern region (east coast) is forecasted to be hot during the day, with very hot weather in some places and thunderstorms affecting about 20% of the area, mainly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat. The temperatures are likely to range from 24-28 degrees Celsius for the low and 35-40 degrees Celsius for the high, with westerly winds at speeds of 10-30 kilometres per hour and sea waves below 1 metre, increasing above 1 metre during storms.

The southern region (west coast) will also experience hot weather during the day, with thunderstorms expected in about 30% of the area and heavy rain in some places, especially in Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. The temperature is predicted to be 26-27 degrees Celsius for the low and 35-38 degrees Celsius for the high, with northwesterly winds at speeds of 15-30 kilometres per hour and sea waves around one metre high, rising above 1 metre in stormy conditions.

For Bangkok and its vicinity, the conditions are expected to be hot to very hot during the day, with isolated thundershowers. The lowest temperatures could be 29-30 degrees Celsius, and the highest could range from 37-41 degrees Celsius, with southerly winds at speeds of 10-25 kilometres per hour.

The weather today continues to pose challenges with the warning of thunderstorms in 26 provinces, strong winds in some areas, and a persistently hot climate with temperatures expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius.