Category Archives: Alert 1

Start of Dry Season for the Southern ASEAN Region

Southwest Monsoon conditions have been gradually established over the southern ASEAN region, with the prevailing winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest. Over the past week, dry weather persisted over many parts of the region, and isolated hotspots with occasional smoke plumes were observed. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, a total of 14 and 13 hotspots were detected in the southern ASEAN region on 27 and 28 May 2023, respectively.

Over the next several months, extended periods of dry weather can be expected over many parts of the southern ASEAN region. The likely return of El Niño conditions in the second half of the year will further exacerbate the dry season, and extending it into October 2023. An escalation in hotspot activity and smoke haze development can be expected during this period, with an increased risk of transboundary haze occurrence.

ASMC Media Release – Start of Dry Season for the Southern ASEAN Region

Start of Dry Season for the Northern ASEAN Region

Over the past week, periods of dry weather were observed over many parts of the northern ASEAN region. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, a total of 96, 136 and 155 hotspots were detected in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, respectively, between 8 and 14 Dec 2022.

With drier conditions expected to prevail over much of the northern ASEAN region in the coming weeks, increased hotspot activity and smoke haze development can be expected. The traditional dry season is expected to persist until April/May 2023.

ASMC Media Release – Start of Dry Season for the Northern ASEAN Region

Start of Dry Season for the Southern ASEAN Region

Over the past week, there have been periods of dry weather observed over many parts of southern ASEAN region. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, a total of 5 and 3 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, and 2 and 0 hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia on 29 and 30 June 2022, respectively.

With drier conditions expected to persist over much of the southern ASEAN region in the coming weeks, there remains a risk of increased hotspot activity and smoke haze development. The traditional dry season is expected to persist until October 2022.

ASMC Media Release – Start of southern ASEAN dry season

Start of Dry Season for the Northern ASEAN Region

Dry weather conditions associated with the Northeast Monsoon have prevailed over much of the northern ASEAN region in the past several days, contributing to an increase in hotspot activities. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, a total of 86, 156 and 115 hotspots were detected in Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, respectively, between 1 and 6 Dec 2021.

The Northeast Monsoon conditions are expected to persist until March 2022, during which extended periods of dry weather may lead to further increases in hotspots activities.

ASMC Media Release – Start of northern ASEAN dry season

Start of Dry Season for the Southern ASEAN Region

In recent days, drier weather has been observed over parts of the southern ASEAN region, particularly in the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Based on the NOAA-20 satellite, there were no hotspots detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan on 14 and 15 July 2021.

The dry season is expected to extend into October 2021. During this period, above-average rainfall is expected over most parts of the region. However, there could still be occasional periods of dry weather, and this could contribute to an increase in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas of the region.

ASMC Media Release – Start of southern ASEAN dry season

Start of Dry Season for the Northern ASEAN Region

Over the past several days, dry weather has persisted over the northern ASEAN region, and this has contributed to an increase in hotspot activities. In particular, localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of these hotspots in Thailand and Myanmar. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, 95 and 27 hotspots were detected in the northern ASEAN region on 1 and 2 December 2020 respectively.

The Northeast Monsoon is expected to last until March 2021. Extended periods of dry weather may lead to a further increase in hotspot activities in the northern ASEAN region over the next several months.

Start of Dry Season for the Southern ASEAN Region

In recent days, drier weather was observed over the southern ASEAN region, particularly in the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, a total of 19 and 5 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, while 2 and 3 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, on 1 and 2 Aug 2020 respectively. There was no significant smoke haze observed in the vicinity of these hotspots.

The prevailing dry season is expected to continue into October 2020. For the next few months, above average rainfall is forecast in large parts of the region, which would help to reduce the risk of widespread land and forest fires. However, periods of dry weather can be expected occasionally, and this can lead to an increase in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas.