A wet and hazy National Day, predicts MetMalaysia

SHROUDED IN HAZE — A boat makes its way along the Batang Lupar River in Sri Aman as thick haze blankets the area, leaving the Batang Lupar 2 Bridge barely visible in the background. Poor air quality has reduced visibility across the riverside town, where the Air Pollutant Index (API) has reached the very unhealthy level. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a special weather forecast in conjunction with the 2026 National Day celebration, with several states set to experience thunderstorms, heavy rain and haze on Aug 31.

According to a graphic posted on MetMalaysia's Facebook page on Friday (Aug 28) night, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor are expected to experience thunderstorms in the morning, while Perak, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan are forecast to have thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Rain is expected at night in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, while Perlis, Kedah and Penang are forecast to remain clear throughout the day. 

Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan are expected to experience haze throughout the day.

In Sabah, thunderstorms and rain are expected to hit the interior and Sandakan throughout the day, while Tawau is expected to experience thunderstorms in the morning and rain at night.

The west coast of Sabah, meanwhile, is expected to experience haze throughout the day.

In Sarawak, most areas, including Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri, are expected to experience haze throughout the day.

Rain is expected to hit Kapit and Miri at night, while thunderstorms are forecast to hit Limbang in the afternoon, followed by rain at night.

In a separate post, MetMalaysia said most areas in the Klang Valley and along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia are expected to be hazy on Sunday, the eve of the 2026 National Day celebration.

According to the special weather forecast graphic updated tonight, hazy conditions are expected in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Labuan and Sarawak, as well as Kudat and the west coast of Sabah.

MetMalaysia also forecasts rain in Perak, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and several areas in Sabah, including the interior, Sandakan and Tawau, on that night, while clear conditions are expected in Perlis, Kedah and Penang.

MetMalaysia advised those attending the National Day celebration on Sunday or the National Day parade on Aug 31 to check the weather forecast for their respective locations and take precautions in the event of changes in weather conditions.- Bernama