Poor weather conditions: The four main towers in Malaysia (from left) Merdeka 118, Tun Razak Exchange, KL Tower and PETRONAS Twin Towers are barely visible due to haze in Kuala Lumpur at around 12.30pm yesterday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: More rainfall is expected in the coming months as the country moves out of the southwest monsoon phase, which started on May 15 and is expected to end in mid-September, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
MetMalaysia said Malaysia is expected to be in the final phase of the southwest monsoon with more rainfall expected in many parts of the country.
“In September, most states in the peninsula are expected to receive an average rainfall of 100mm to 450mm,” the department said in its long-term weather forecast report published on its website. This is compared with the average rainfall of between 50mm and 400mm in August for most states in the peninsula.
In Sarawak, most parts are expected to receive between 200mm and 400mm of rainfall on average next month compared with the 150mm to 350mm for August.
However, Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei and Sibu are expected to get an average rainfall of between 150mm and 200mm next month, which is similar to August.
Sabah and Labuan are expected to receive less rainfall in September, at an average of around 50mm to 250mm, compared with between 100mm and 400mm on average in August.
From October, the country is expected to be in the second monsoon transition phase.
During that month, most states in the peninsula are expected to receive higher rainfall with MetMalaysia forecasting an average of between 150mm and 450mm.
In Sarawak, most parts are expected to receive an average rainfall of between 250mm and 450mm, except in Kuching, which is expected to receive slightly below average rainfall of between 200mm and 250mm.
An average rainfall of between 100mm and 500mm is forecast for Sabah and Labuan in October.
“As for November, the country is expected to enter the northeast monsoon phase. During this period, the country will receive consistent winds from the northeast at between 10kph and 20kph,” said MetMalaysia.
Heavy downpours are also expected in the east coast states of the peninsula and west Sarawak.
The department said the El Nino weather condition, which is already occurring now, is expected to last until early next year with a probability of over 90%.
“Most international climate models show an atmospheric cycle in the tropics consistent with El Nino conditions,” it added.
National Antarctica Research Centre director Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the El Nino conditions are expected to strengthen in the coming months and have an impact on the strength of the northeast monsoon.
“During El Nino, the monsoon surge is expected to be weaker. There will be rain, but it would not be as intense, so the risk of major flooding is lessened in the year-end.
“The thing to watch is how dry January and February will be for the peninsula, as that would affect our river flow and supply of domestic potable water,” he said.
