Malaysia: No sign of inter-monsoon season that brings more rain around this time

The Star 13 Oct 16;

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians should brace themselves for more hot and humid weather as there is no sign yet of the inter-monsoon season that brings more rain.

The inter-monsoon generally begins in October, before the northeast monsoon between November and March.

“Generally, we should receive inter-monsoon (rains) in October and the northeast monsoon from November to March.

“But until today, there are no indicators of entering inter-monsoon,” said a source from Malaysian Meteorological Depart­ment.

There is still good news, though.

The effects of the current southwest monsoon is weakening, thus most states are expected to receive the normal amount of rainfall (200mm to 350mm) this month.

“Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and west Johor, however, are expected to get rainfall which is a little below the normal level, amounting to less than 200mm,” said the department.

Once the northeast monsoon begins around November, east coast states will experience more rainy days, especially Kelantan and Terengganu.

“Next month, most states including Sarawak will receive normal rainfall except for Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak, where more than normal rainfall is expected,” the department added.

According to data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, the inter-monsoon is usually characterised by light wind and rain, interspersed with brief periods of dry weather.

“Between October and December, near-normal to above-normal rainfall is expected for Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Sumatra and Kalimantan,” the centre said in a recent analysis.

The regional centre observed that while more rains were expected in the southern Asean region, sporadic hotspot activities might still occur over Sumatra and Kalimantan during the brief dry weather periods.

“The hotspot activities are expected to gradually ease from November,” it added.

Based on experts’ assessment of international climate, the centre also predicted about a 60% chance of La Nina conditions developing in the October–December season, but said it was likely to be only weak or borderline.

Science, Technology and Inno­vation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau had previously said that the phenomenon, which would start after October, typically extends between nine and 12 months.

La Nina usually contributes to higher rainfall in Sabah and eastern Sarawak, especially when combined with the northeast monsoon rainy effects.