Heavy rains and strong wind waves in South raise risk of flash floods 

The Thailand Meteorological Department said the strong northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand and the South was strengthening while a low pressure cell covered the lower South China Sea. It will tend to move through and cover the Gulf of Thailand and the South, bringing heavy to very heavy rains to Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket and Krabi provinces. People living in these vulnerable areas should beware of the dangers of heavy to very heavy rains that could cause flash floods, the department said.

Wind waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are strong, with waves 2-3 metres high. People who live in the southeast coast should beware of the strong winds that blow towards the shore. All ships in the lower Gulf of Thailand should proceed with caution and keep away from thundershowers while small boats should keep ashore in this period, the department said.

Meanwhile, the rather strong high-pressure system from China continues to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea. The morning will be cool to cold and the temperature will fall by 1-3 degrees Celsius in the lower Northeast and the East. The rather strong northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand will bring continuous rainfall to the lower South. Moderate winds force waves to rise two metres high in the Gulf of Thailand and above two metres high in thundershowers. All ships in the Gulf should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers, the department said. 

From November 30 to December 3, the low pressure covers the lower South China Sea. It is expected to move to cover the lower South of Thailand. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is expected in the South.

Forecast for the next 24 hours:

Bangkok: Partly cloudy with strong winds and a slight decrease in temperatures; minimum temperature 22-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 32-34°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

North: Cool to cold in the morning with temperature falling by 1-2°C; minimum temperature 16-21°C, maximum temperature 30-34°C; cold on mountaintops with minimum temperature 8-15°C; northeasterly winds 10-20kph.

Northeast: Cool in the morning with strong winds and temperature falling by 1-3°C; isolated light rain mostly in the lower part; minimum temperature 16-20°C, maximum 30-31°C; Cool to cold on the mountain top with minimum temperature 10-17°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

Central: Cool in the morning with strong winds and temperature falling by 1-2°C; minimum temperature 21-24°C, maximum 31-33°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

East: Cool with strong winds and temperature falling by 1-2°C; isolated rain mostly in Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces; minimum temperature 21-25°C, maximum 33-34°C; northeasterly winds 15-35kph; waves about a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Cloudy with scattered thundershowers mostly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces; minimum temperature 23-26°C, maximum 30-33°C. 

Surat Thani northward: northeasterly winds 15-35kph; waves 1-2 metres high and above two metres in thundershowers. Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: Northeasterly winds 20-35kph; waves about two metres high and above two metres in thundershowers.

South (west coast):

Cloudy with scattered thundershowers mostly in Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun; minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 30-33°C; northeasterly winds 20-35kph; waves 1-2 metres high and above two metres in thundershowers.

Seven-day forecast:

Until December 4, the strong high pressure from China will extend to upper Thailand and the South China Sea. Cool to cold weather is forecast with strong winds; a 3-5°C drop in temperature is likely over upper Thailand with cold to very cold weather and frost forecast for the mountain tops. The northeast monsoon prevailing over the Gulf and the South will strength. Isolated heavy rain is expected in the lower South. Wind waves will intensify in the Gulf of Thailand throughout the period, rising 2-3 metres and above three metres in thundershower areas. The low pressure covering the lower South China Sea is expected to move to cover the lower South of Thailand from Monday to December 3. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is expected in the South.

Until December 4, people in upper Thailand should take care of their health due to the variable weather. People in the South should beware of heavy rain and accumulated rain. All ships across the Gulf of Thailand should proceed with caution and keep off thundershower areas. Small boats should keep ashore throughout the period, the department said.