Thailand faces extreme heat, storms and heavy rain; Phuket among risk areas

The Meteorological Department said on May 3 that Thailand faces extreme heat, gusty winds and scattered storms over the next 24 hours, with Phuket included in a heavy-rain risk zone on the Andaman coast. Upper Thailand is forecast to get hotter, with some northern and central areas reaching 40C, while stronger easterly and southeasterly winds are driving heavy rain in parts of the South.

The department said heat low pressure over upper Thailand, combined with moist southwest and southeast winds, is fueling daytime heat and isolated thunderstorms. It advised people to avoid prolonged outdoor activity and watch for sudden strong winds.

Phuket, Andaman waters and a wetter South from May 6-8

For the South’s west coast, including Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi, forecasters expect thunderstorms across 30% of the area with heavy rain in some places. Temperatures are forecast at 25-26C overnight and 35-36C by day, with easterly winds at 10-30 kilometers per hour.

In the Andaman Sea, waves are expected below 1 meter, rising to more than 1 meter in thunderstorm areas. Across the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman, waves are generally around 1 meter and more than 2 meters where storms develop, and mariners were told to avoid thunderstorm zones.

The department also warned that rain will increase across the South from May 6-8, with heavy falls in some areas as an easterly wave affects the lower peninsula. Air quality in upper Thailand remains in the good-to-moderate range because some areas are getting rain.

Source: https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/5831472/