Thailand braces for cooler temperatures and heavy rain

Thailand is experiencing fluctuating weather patterns, leading to temperatures dropping by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (°C) in the northern and northeastern regions. Meanwhile, heavy rain is expected in parts of the central, eastern, and southern areas, with high waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast for the next 24 hours, noting that a weak high-pressure or cold air mass is covering the upper northern and northeastern regions. This condition continues to bring chilly mornings to these areas.

At the same time, a low-pressure system near the central coast of Vietnam, combined with westerly and northeasterly winds in the lower central and eastern regions, is causing thunderstorms and heavy rain in some parts of the upper country and the south.

The forecast for today, October 31, until tomorrow morning for the northern region includes cool mornings in the upper part with rain in 10% of the area, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. The lowest temperatures are expected to be between 21 and 24°C, with highs of 33 to 35°C. Easterly winds will blow at speeds of 10 to 15 kilometres per hour (km/h).

In the northeastern region, cool mornings are expected in the upper part, with thunderstorms in 10% of the area, mostly in Loei, Chaiyaphum, and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces. Temperatures will range from 22 to 25°C at their lowest to 31 to 34°C at their highest. Northeasterly winds will prevail at speeds of 10 to 25 km/h.

The central region will see thunderstorms in 20% of the area, particularly in Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Saraburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon provinces. The lowest temperatures will be between 23 and 26°C, with highs reaching 34 to 36°C. Easterly winds will blow at speeds of 10 to 20 km/h.

Dropping temperatures

In the eastern region, 30% of the area will experience thunderstorms with heavy rain in some parts, including Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Temperatures will range from 22 to 26°C at their lowest to 31 to 34°C at their highest. Southeasterly winds will blow at speeds of 15 to 30 km/h, with sea waves about one metre high, rising to over two metres in thunderstorm areas.

The southern region (east coast) will have thunderstorms in 40% of the area with heavy rain in some parts, including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces. The lowest temperatures will be between 23 and 26°C, with highs of 32 to 36°C. Northwesterly winds will blow at speeds of 15 to 35 km/h, with sea waves about one metre high, rising to one to two metres offshore, and over two metres in thunderstorm areas.

The southern region (west coast) will experience thunderstorms in 40% of the area with heavy rain in some parts, such as Ranong, Phang Nga, Trang, and Satun provinces. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26°C at their lowest to 33 to 34°C at their highest. Northwesterly winds will prevail at speeds of 15 to 30 km/h, with sea waves about one metre high, rising to over two metres in thunderstorm areas.

Bangkok and surrounding areas will see thunderstorms in 30% of the area, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 25°C at their lowest to 33 to 35°C at their highest. Southeasterly winds will blow at speeds of 10 to 20 km/h.