BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): The Sultanate will enter the northeast monsoon in early December which is expected to persist until March 2023.
The first two months of northeast monsoon (December and January), known as the rainy season, normally sees the highest amount of rainfall and number of rainy days in the country, in comparison to the other months, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department stated in a release yesterday.
During this period, Brunei will experience unsettled weather conditions with showers or thundershowers, heavy at times, especially at night until early morning.
Based on climatological data, December recorded an average rainfall of 358.9 millimetres (mm), while January received an average rainfall of 320.6mm. The average number of rainy days for December and January are 22 and 18 days.
During the second half of the northeast monsoon (February and March), the atmospheric conditions tend to be more stable, with an average rainfall for February of 162.9mm and 143.4mm for March.
During the rainy season, the public should take note of the high risk of flooding or flash floods, especially at low-lying and flood-prone areas as well as near river banks.
The risk of severe flooding may occur during heavy rain coinciding with high tide. There is also the risk of landslide and falling trees during continuous heavy rain that last for more than an hour.
Strong surges from the north-easterly wind may also result in the increase of wave height over Brunei waters to rough state of more than two metres, and wind speed may increase up to more than 45km per hour.
The public is advised to take precautionary actions with respect to active weather condition forecast during this rainy season.
Sea conditions would be dangerous to small craft, as well as sea recreational activities and sports (including swimming, jet skiing and scuba diving) during this season.
The public, especially road users and mariners are advised to stay up to date with the latest weather forecast, advisory and warnings.
