BMKG predicts extreme hot weather in Indonesia will occur until August 2024

JAKARTA – Around 63.66 percent of Indonesia’s territory will experience this dry season in May to August this year, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

“When May begins, some areas will enter the beginning of the dry season, while others are still in a transition phase. “This means that early May will probably bring warm temperatures and clear skies during the day,” said BMKG Deputy Meteorologist Guswanto in a statement.

He also explained that the heat wave that occurred recently in several regions of Asia had nothing to do with hot temperatures in Indonesia, considering that the heat in that country is cyclical due to the movement of the sun and sunny daytime weather.

A heat wave is defined by the World Meteorological Organization as a period of hot weather lasting five or more days, with daily maximum temperatures above average by 5°C or more.

“Meteorologically, this occurs when warm air is trapped near the surface due to unusual atmospheric dynamics, causing restricted air flow, especially in large-scale and long-term high pressure systems.

“Weather conditions like that are impossible in Indonesia, which is located near the equator,” said Guswanto.

Based on BMKG data, temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius (°C) were recorded in various regions in Indonesia, including Deli Serdang (North Sumatra) at 37.1°C, Medan (North Sumatra) at 36.6°C, and Kapuas Hulu (West Kalimantan). ) at 36.6°C.

Even though some areas are experiencing hot weather, Guswanto emphasized that there is still the possibility of moderate to heavy rain in several areas of Indonesia.

(wbs)