Upper Thailand gets colder, rains forecast for South
The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Wednesday (January 1) that a rather strong high-pressure system covering the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea, and the westerly trough over the upper North and the upper Northeast of Thailand, would bring a cold spell, with temperatures falling by 1-3 degrees Celsius in upper Thailand.
The department also forecast a strong Northeast monsoon prevailing across the Gulf of Thailand and the South, bringing strong winds and 2-3-metre high waves. All ships have been urged to proceed with caution and small boats keep ashore until January 4.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:
Northern region: Cool to cold with fog in the morning; minimum temperature of 16-20 degrees Celsius and maximum 26-35 degrees Celsius. Temperatures are likely to drop to 4-11 degrees Celsius on hilltops.
Northeastern region: Cold with strong winds; minimum 16-20 degrees, maximum 31-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature likely to drop to 7-11 degrees Celsius on hilltops.
Central region: Cool weather in the morning; minimum 19-21 degrees Celsius, maximum 33-35 degrees Celsius.
Eastern region: Cool weather in the morning and strong winds; minimum 20-23 degrees Celsius, maximum 33-35 degrees Celsius; wave height of 1-2 metres.
Southern region (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; minimum 21-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 30-33 degrees Celsius; wave height of 1-2 metres, rising to 2-3 metres during storms.
Southern region (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; minimum 21-25 degrees, maximum 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high, increasing to 1-2 metres during storms.
Bangkok and surrounding area: Partly cloudy and strong winds; minimum 22-23 degrees, maximum 33-35 degrees Celsius.