Malaysia: Strong wind, rough sea expected to continue until tomorrow

New Straits Times 10 Jan 15;

KUALA LUMPUR: The category two strong wind and rough sea occurring in the waters of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor Timur, Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan currently are expected to persist until tomorrow.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the North-easterly wind with a speed of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour (kph) and waves of up to 4.5 metres high would be dangerous for all shipping and coastal activities including fishing and ferry services.

“In addition, coastal areas in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor Timur are also exposed to a higher sea level today,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, third category strong wind and rough sea in the waters of Condore, Reef North, Layang-layang and Palawan were also expected to continue until tomorrow.

The north-easterly winds with a speed of 60 kph and waves of up to 4.5 metres high would also be dangerous to all coastal activities and shipping including workers on the oil rigs. – BERNAMA

Last year’s cold weather might not repeat
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 9 Jan 15;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) has forecasted that the country would receive lesser rainfall and experience a rise in temperature beginning February.

MET's National Weather Centre senior meteorologist Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said there is a strong possibility that the extreme cold weather that hit our country in January last year may not occur again this year based on a number of factors.

"The Northeast monsoon season which brings heavy rainfalls is ending in February and March, thus it is expected that beginning February, there will be lesser rainfall and cloud, the cold surge from China will no longer hit our states and during that period of time the sun will move closer to our region and as a result we would experience a rise in temperature.

"Our country is expected to experience its highest average temperature in April and May with the states located in the north Peninsular to record the hottest average temperature of about 35 to 38 degrees Celsius," said Mohd Hisham.

Kosmo! In their report state that expert geographer and urban climate research of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Professor Datuk Dr Shaharuddin Ahmad claimed that our country would experience cold temperature before the monsoon season ends as the world is experiencing a global climate change.

The Malay tabloid quoted him that high pressure winds from Siberia (which currently experiencing extreme cold temperatures) will bring the cold temperatures to our country as it moves to China and South China Sea and across Southeast Asia throughout the Northeast monsoon season.

A similar phenomenon occurred in January last year caused the temperatures in several parts of the country especially the eastern and northern areas of the Peninsula to drop to as low as 17.2 degrees Celsius.