Thailand Braced for Extreme Heatwaves and Torrential Southern Storms
The Meteorological Department warns of temperatures hitting 40°C in the north, while an easterly wind wave is set to trigger heavy rain and rough seas
- Northern Thailand is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 40°C, prompting health officials to warn against heatstroke.
- Southern Thailand is bracing for heavy rain and downpours between May 6 and 8, caused by an approaching easterly wind wave.
- Maritime authorities have issued warnings for the south, as sea waves in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea are forecast to exceed two metres during thunderstorms.
The Meteorological Department warns of temperatures hitting 40°C in the north, while an easterly wind wave is set to trigger heavy rain and rough seas.
Weather officials have issued a dual-threat warning for Thailand as the country grapples with a combination of "extreme heat" in the north and the imminent arrival of heavy tropical storms in the south.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) confirmed on Saturday that a low-pressure system caused by intense heat is currently blanketing Upper Thailand.
This is expected to push temperatures to a sweltering 40°C in several northern provinces, including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
Health officials have urged the public to exercise extreme caution, advising citizens to avoid prolonged outdoor activities to mitigate the risk of heatstroke.
Despite the dry heat, moisture-laden winds from the south-east may still trigger isolated "heat storms" and sudden gusts of wind across the central plains and the capital.
Southern Storm Warning
While the north swelters, the Southern region is preparing for a significant shift in weather patterns between 6 and 8 May. An easterly wind wave is forecast to sweep across the lower peninsula, bringing widespread rainfall and localised downpours.
Maritime authorities have highlighted the following risks for the coming week:
Heavy Rainfall: Expected across Surat Thani, Phuket, and Krabi.
Sea Conditions: Waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are forecast to reach one metre but will surge to over two metres during thunderstorms.
Navigational Safety: Mariners are advised to exercise heightened caution and avoid sailing into storm cells.
Regional Breakdown
In Bangkok and the surrounding vicinity, the forecast remains unsettled. Residents should expect a hot weekend with a 20% chance of thunderstorms and gusty winds, providing only marginal relief from the afternoon peak temperatures of 36°C.
The Northern and Central regions remain the hottest zones, with maximum temperatures ranging between 37°C and 40°C. Isolated rain is possible for roughly 10% of these areas, though it is unlikely to be enough to dampen the overall heat intensity.
Air quality across upper Thailand remains a rare bright spot, currently rated as "good to moderate" as recent scattered showers have helped to clear lingering dust and smoke particles.
