Double Whammy Tomorrow – Equinox and Heatwave
Pe2taling Jaya, 11 Jumadil Akhir 1437/21 March 2016 (MINA) – Be prepared for a double whammy tomorrow (Monday, March 21) and steaming hot afternoons for the rest of the month.
The situation will be made all the more unbearable with the equinox tomorrow, when the sun shines directly over the Equator, and the heatwave caused by the El Nino phenomenon.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said the heatwave was expected to continue until the end of the month, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted The Star Online as reporting.
“We are expecting maximum temperatures to be recorded between 2pm and 4pm,” she said.
For Chuping, Perlis, which recorded the highest temperature in the country this month at 39°C on Monday and yesterday, she said it would range between 38°C and 39°C.
According to the Meteorological Department website, the temperature in Petaling Jaya at 5pm yesterday was 33°C while Alor Setar recorded 36°C; Ipoh and Seberang Perai 35°C; Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, 34°C; Senai, Johor, 34°C; and Malacca, 33°C.
On weather.com, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, is forecasted to be the hottest place in the region ranging between 38°C and 42°C.
It is the highest in comparison to Chuping which will range between 36°C and 38°C; Yangon, Myanmar, 37°C-39°C; Singapore 33°C-34°C; Manila, Philippines, 33°C-36°C; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 33°C-36°C and Pekanbaru, Indonesia, 32°C-34°C.
On Monday Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said in a statement that the El Nino phenomenon was the main reason for the current hot and dry weather being experienced in the country.
Tangau said the last time Malaysia experienced similar weather conditions was 1997-1998, also due to a strong El Nino. (T/R07/R01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
