Thailand braces for heatwave and thunderstorms

Thailand is set for a very hot day with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius and scattered thunderstorms in some areas.

It will be particularly hot in central, eastern and southern Thailand.

It's a taste of the approaching summer and should start the last week of February and end at the end of May.

See: Heatwave: Summer is coming to Thailand and will be even hotter than in 2023

The latest forecast from the Thailand Meteorological Department predicts strong southerly and southeasterly winds affecting the northeast, lower central, and eastern regions of the country, creating the potential for thunderstorms in these areas.

From February 24 to 26, a high pressure system or cool air mass from China is expected to extend over Vietnam and the South China Sea.

At the same time, the upper part of Thailand is expected to experience hot weather in many areas.

The presence of southerly and southeasterly winds in the northern, northeast and central regions, as well as in and around Bangkok, and in the eastern parts, will bring thunderstorms, strong gusts, hail in some places and possible lightning.

Citizens in hot areas are advised to stay hydrated and stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day, while being prepared for sudden weather changes.

Weather forecast for Thursday, February 22

Photo: The Nation Thailand

Bangkok and surrounding areas

Bangkok and surrounding areas will experience hot conditions during the day with a chance of thunderstorms in about 10% of the area.

The mercury will fluctuate between a minimum of 26 to 27 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 34 to 37 degrees Celsius.

Central region

For the central region, the hot weather today will be accompanied by thunderstorms in about 10% of the area, mainly in Lopburi and Saraburi.

Temperatures will range from a low of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius to a high of 35 to 38 degrees Celsius.

Northern region

In the northern region, the upper parts will experience cool to cold weather with morning fog, becoming warm with clear skies by midday.

In the lower part of the northern region, the sky will be partly cloudy with some morning fog, also becoming warm during the day.

Minimum temperatures will range between 13 and 23 degrees Celsius, and maximum temperatures between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius.

Mountain peaks may experience very cold conditions, with lows of 6 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Northeast region

The northeast region will experience cool temperatures in the upper areas with some morning fog, warming up during the day.

Thunderstorms are expected in about 10% of the region, mainly in Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin.

Minimum temperatures will be between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius, and maximum temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.

Again, higher altitudes will be cooler, with minimum temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Eastern region

The eastern region will also experience hot weather during the day, with thunderstorms expected in 10% of the area, mainly in Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Minimum temperatures will range between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius, and maximum temperatures will reach 33 to 38 degrees Celsius.

The sea will have waves less than one meter high, but in storm areas the waves could be higher than one meter.

Southern region

In the southern region (east coast) , hot daytime weather will be accompanied by thunderstorms in about 10% of the area, including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani.

The temperature will range from a minimum of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 31 to 38 degrees Celsius.

The sea will experience waves of about 1 meter high, exceeding 1 meter in the event of a storm.

In the southern region (west coast) areas such as Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi will experience hot weather during the day with thunderstorms in about 10% of the region.

Minimum temperatures will be between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, and maximum temperatures between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius.

As on the east coast, the sea will experience waves of around 1 meter high, exceeding 1 meter in the event of a storm.

Source: The Thaiger