Satellite surveillance detected persistent hotspots with moderate to dense smoke haze in Sumatra and Kalimantan (29 Aug to 12 Sep 2019)
Situation Update (12 Sep 2019 0310 UTC) – Widespread smoke haze in the southern ASEAN region
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September 12, 2019
Monthly Archives: September 2019
September 9, 2019
Alert20190909 – Activation of Alert Level 2 for Sumatra
Activation of Alert Level 3 for Sumatra
Over the past few days, there has been a further escalation of hotspot activities and deterioration in haze situation in Sumatra. Persistent hotspots in Riau and Jambi have led to a build-up of moderate to dense smoke haze there. The smoke haze has been blown across the Strait of Malacca to western parts of Peninsular Malaysia by the prevailing winds. Hotspots with smoke haze were also detected in the southern provinces of South Sumatra and Lampung.
Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, there has been an increase in the number of hotspots detected in Sumatra. 52 and 206 hotspots were detected in Sumatra on 7 and 8 September 2019 respectively.
The prevailing dry weather in the region is expected to persist in the coming weeks and a further escalation of hotspot activities in Sumatra is possible. With the prevailing winds expected to continue blowing from the southeast or southwest, the transboundary haze situation could worsen.
September 5, 2019
Alert20190905 – Activation of Alert Level 3 for Kalimantan
Activation of Alert Level 3 for Kalimantan
Over the past few days, there has been a further deterioration in haze situation in Kalimantan. Persistent hotspot clusters detected in the provinces of South, West and Central Kalimantan have contributed to a significant build-up of smoke haze over many areas in Kalimantan. Smoke haze from hotspots in West Kalimantan has been observed to be blown by the prevailing winds to western Sarawak, Malaysia.
Based on surveillance by the NOAA-19 satellite, there has been an increase in hotspot activities. 114 and 459 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan on 3rd and 4th September 2019 respectively.
In view that the current dry weather is expected to persist over the region in the coming weeks, a further escalation of hotspot activities in Kalimantan is possible. With the prevailing winds forecast to continue blowing from the southeast or southwest, ASMC assessed that the risk of transboundary haze occurrence is high.
September 2, 2019
Outlook for Land Fires and Smoke Haze Situation (1 – 15 September 2019)
Outlook for Land Fires and Smoke Haze Situation (1 – 15 September 2019)
Issued 2 September 2019
Drier and warmer than average conditions over the southern ASEAN region may lead to a further escalation of hotspot activities in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This could contribute to an increase in the risk of transboundary haze occurrence. In the northern ASEAN region, rainy weather is expected to keep hotspot activities subdued.
Subseasonal Weather Outlook (1 – 15 September 2019)
Subseasonal Weather Outlook (1 – 15 September 2019)
Issued 2 September 2019
Valid for weeks 1 and 2: 1 September – 15 September
Figure 1: Rainfall Outlook
Figure 2: Temperature Outlook
With the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) expected to remain in the positive phase, drier-than-usual conditions are forecast to persist over many parts of the southern ASEAN region, including Sumatra, Kalimantan and the Java Sea areas.
For the northern ASEAN region, above-average rainfall is forecast over the central and southern parts of the Mekong sub-region, as well as over the Philippines in Week 1.
During the first fortnight of September 2019, warmer conditions are expected over much of equatorial region.
The outlook is assessed for the region in general. For specific updates on the national scale, the relevant ASEAN National Meteorological and Hydrological Services should be consulted.