KUALA LUMPUR: The hot, dry and windy conditions in northern Peninsular Malaysia, known locally as “musim timur”, is a normal weather pattern during the northeast monsoon season, says an expert.
Universiti Malaya (UM) meteorologist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the north-east monsoon is driven by cold surges, strong northeasterly or easterly winds and a low-pressure zone, known as the monsoon trough.
The professor from UM’s Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, said between January and February, the monsoon trough shifts southwards with the sun’s movement, compared with its position over northern Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand.
This happens at the onset of the north-east monsoon from November to December, when heavy rainfall is more widespread.
“These hot and dry conditions are normal for northern Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand as the monsoon trough has shifted to the southern South China Sea.
“Northern states are now outside the convergence zone, entering the east season or dry spell with clear skies, dry and windy conditions.
“Rainfall is expected to pick up from April,” he told Bernama.
Prof Azizan said the south, including Johor, Sabah and Sarawak, is now seeing more rain as the monsoon trough shifts.
He said the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), which usually supports thunderstorms and wet conditions in the north, is currently in a dry phase.
The MJO is a natural tropical climate pattern that swings every 20 to 60 days and typically occurs in the absence of El Nino or La Nina events.
“The situation isn’t critical as heavy rainfall in November and December kept all dams full, which should sustain supplies until April.
“It’s just hot weather but the temperatures haven’t reached 40°C, averaging around 34 to 35°C,” Prof Azizan said.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on Tuesday said six locations in the peninsula have recorded over seven consecutive rain-free days including Perlis (30 days), Langkawi (27 days), Kedah (27 days) and central Melaka (23 days).
In addition, the southwest district in Penang recorded 23 rain-free days, followed by Kuala Langat in Selangor (23 days) and Kota Setar in Kedah (20 days).
MetMalaysia’s long-term weather survey for January to June 2026 predicts wet conditions in northern Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah early on with rainfall expected to decline from mid to late period, especially in central and southern Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
