MetMalaysia: Southwest monsoon to begin Saturday (May 14)

KUALA LUMPUR: The southwest monsoon is expected to begin this Saturday (May 14) and continue until mid-September of this year.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said during this period, the winds would blow consistently from the southwest with lower air humidity and stable atmospheric conditions.

"This results in a lack of rain cloud formation and causes most places across the country to experience more number of days without rain than other seasons, as well as produce low rainfall distribution," he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 10).

He said heavy rain with strong winds and lightning due to the squall line phenomenon could still occur on the west coast of the peninsula and west Sabah in the early morning and could last up to several hours.

During this period, the haze phenomenon can also occur if open burning is not controlled, especially during August to October.

He advised the public to use water prudently during this period.

Information on the latest weather condition can be obtained through the website, myCuaca mobile application and the social media and for further inquiries, the public can contact the Malaysian Meteorological Department Hotline at 1-300-22-1638. - Bernama