Weather in Hua Hin & Thailand

[Nereus]

Thunder, lightening and a deluge over here since around 0300 last night. Over 40mm already. It's only March 16 and the hot season hasn't really begun yet so I have no explanation for this. The termites were even swarming this morning....talk about a screwed up date clock. Pete

Probably part of the same system that passed through Bangkok yesterday afternoon. Not much rain where I am, but it looked to be heavy around the airport.

[Nereus]

Farm fires cause heavy pollution

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... -pollution

Much of northern Thailand as far south as Saraburi lay under a heavy blanket of haze and smoke Friday from hundreds of fires, mostly set on purpose by farmers in Thailand and Myanmar.

The crisis areas were spotted in the far North, the lower North and upper Central provinces. Saraburi, where the air quality index (AQI) touched a dangerous 104 at noon Friday, had an air pollution index of 128 which, roughly translated, means "sensitive groups such as children, older people and asthmatics should stay indoors".

Any AQI over 100 is dangerous to health, according to the Pollution Control Department, which maintains a website with information from around the country.

The most dangerous place in Thailand Friday afternoon was Mae Hong Son, where the AQI in the "pristine province" was 219. The index says an AQI this high is "an emergency condition. The entire population is more likely to be affected."

At mid-afternoon Friday, "dangerous" readers were recorded at Chiang Mai City Hall (106), the Lampang Meteorological Station (159), and the Phrae station, which had a reading of 134.

Viewed from the steps to Doi Suthep, the city of Chiang Mai was barely visible through the haze Friday morning.

Dramatic satellite photos and charts from Nasa showed the cause and extent of the wildfires, which are set on purpose every year at this time, supposedly to prepare fields for a new crop when the rainy season begins, in April or May.

The Nasa Worldview website, which shows satellite photos of Earth in near real-time, was a dramatic mass of red dots in northern Thailand and, even more, in next door Myanmar. Each dot represented an individual fire, seen from space.

The ThaiForestFire site, a Google Map mashup showing hot spots in Thailand, was a virtual sea of yellow and red Friday.

Residents of the North described a "hell in the air" throughout the region.

"It is the worst I have seen in years," said a Lampang resident, who added the haze this week came suddenly on Thursday after a brief rain shower had cleared the air on Wednesday.

"I woke up with the taste of smoke in my throat," said a Chiang Mai resident.

[PeteC]

^ God forbid they take away their right to burn brush and chaff. Pete

[PeteC]

I don't know where they got this one as I can't find any official warnings? Pete


Warning: Heavy rain, strong wind

Published: 23 Mar 2013 at 16.33
Online news: Local News

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department on Saturday issued a warning for people in 31 provinces to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and possible hailstorms from Monday to Thursday.

The provinces are Chainat, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi-Et, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Bung Kan, Mukdahan, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

The department’s director-general, Chatchai Promlert, said he was coordinating efforts with department officials in the affected provinces to keep a close watch for any possible adverse weather and set up fast-moving units to provide assistance to people as needed.

[Big Boy]

My phone keeps warning me about excessive sun and heat for Monday and Tuesday

[Nereus]

I don't know where they got this one as I can't find any official warnings? Pete

If you look at the synoptic charts: (http://www.tmd.go.th/en/weather_map.php), there is a huge area of low pressure to the east and north east of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam Nam. This is LIKELY to cause a moist unstable inflow to those areas, and consequently thunderstorms. In your area Pete, there is a forecast southerly wind, whereas in some parts of the north, there is close to zero wind, which will also contribute to thunderstorms in those areas.
Then it is also Sunday, and Somchai may have a hangover and just has to write something quickly!

[PeteC]

^ It's begun, but not near me yet. Pete

Six hurt as storms pound eight villages in Northeast......

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... -northeast

484958.jpg (104.01 KiB) Viewed 756 times

[PeteC]

The below reminded me that it's the time of the year when the next bit of rain will start the yearly termite swarming. I've watched it every year and it always happens with the first wet in April and runs through most of May. Time to consider turning off your outside house lights. It may do little good, but it makes me feel better that they're swarming near a street light some meters away and not right up against my house. Pete

I post this photo again for reference:

termite-10a.gif (93.57 KiB) Viewed 657 times

Warning

"Summer Thunderstorm"
No. 7 (82/2556) Time Issued : April 06, 2013

The nearly active high pressure area covers lower China and upper Vietnam. It is forecast to approach northeastern Thailand at tomorrow (6 April) while the hot weather covers Thailand, causing summer thunderstorms. There will also be thunderstorm with gust and hail likely in the upper country affecting the Northeast and the eastern North and then the Central and the East. People should beware of the severe conditions during 7-9 April.

The advisory will be effect on 6 April 2013

[Nereus]

I just made a quick round trip to the north this past week. (Phrae) It was bloody stifling hot! No air con, no swimming pool, no sleep! I lasted 3 nights and came back. A lot of smoke pollution first thing in the morning, and the central plains very dry and deserted of farmers.

[Bristolian]

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/new ... 4120010025
Songkran revellers warned of summer storms
BANGKOK, 12 April 2013 (NNT)-The Meteorological Department has forecasted that 40% of areas in Bangkok and its vicinity will experience thunderstorms during Songkran while the highest temperature will reach around 34-36 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather bureau, a low pressure area in the South China Sea is now moving toward the Gulf of Thailand, bringing heavy rains to most parts of the South from now until April 14. Fishermen have been warned of high waves during the Songkran period.

Meanwhile, a high pressure system is coming from mainland China to cover the northern part of Thailand. This likely brings summer storms to the northeastern region, the Central Plain, the North and the East during April 12-14. Strong winds and thunder storms have been predicted, and people should be cautious when leaving their houses. The weather bureau said, however, more expected rain will help cool down all parts of the country

[Big Boy]

I've read that there 35mm of rain forecast for Hua Hin tomorrow.

[Bristolian]

I've read that there 35mm of rain forecast for Hua Hin tomorrow.

Maybe not good timing, being Songkran and all that, but boy! do we need some rain! Everything is so dry. A drop in the temperatures will be a welcome relief also.

[PeteC]

It's been threatening over here in Rayong since yesterday.....but not a drop yet. Grass is cut, beer is cold and I'm ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the first rains of the season. Having said that.....it probably won't rain at all. If not, it will be the first time it hasn't over Songkran as far back as I can remember. It always seems to storm during this holiday. Pete

[PeteC]

I spoke too soon. Still too dark to assess the damage but we've had high winds and driving rain since 0100 come through here. Still raining lightly. I'll prepare the clean up crew.....me! Pete

[Big Boy]

We had exactly the same for a couple of hours. Only damage I can see is the cover from one of our gate lights has blown off - even a DIY numpty like me can fix that