Category Archives: Fortnightly Weather Review

1.1 Under inter-monsoon conditions, the prevailing winds over the equatorial region were mostly light and variable in direction over the past fortnight. Over the northern ASEAN region, there were anomalous westerly winds (Figure 1).

Figure 1 5000 ft average winds (left) and anomalies (right) for 1 – 15 May 2019 (Source: JMA)

Figure 2: Daily average rainfall for the ASEAN region in the first fortnight of May 2019. (Source: JAXA Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation)

Figure 3: Percentage of average rainfall for 1 – 15 May 2019. The rainfall data may be less representative for areas with a less dense rainfall network. (Source: IRI NOAA/NCEP CPC Unified Precipitation Analyses)

1.2 There were scattered showers over the region in the first half of May (Figure 2), with the exception of Myanmar where generally dry weather prevailed. Myanmar and the northern parts of Lao PDR and Thailand received below-average rainfall, which could have been due to dry air from the Bay of Bengal that persisted over these areas early in the month. Many areas along the equatorial region (including southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo) received below-normal rainfall (Figure 3), and this could in part be attributed to the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) activities from Phase 5 to Phase 8 during the fortnight.

Figure 4: The MJO phase diagram for March 2019-May 2019 (green for April). The diagram illustrates the movement of the MJO through different phases, which correspond to different locations along the equator. The distance of the index from the centre of the diagram is correlated with the strength of MJO. When the index falls within the circle, the MJO is considered weak or indiscernible. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

1.3 In the first half of May, although there was a slight cooling of the sea surface, the sea surface temperatures of the equatorial Pacific Ocean remained warmer than average. There was no consistent coupling between the sea surface temperatures and the atmosphere, indicating that full-fledged El Niño conditions have not developed.

1.1 The ASEAN region is under the influence of inter-monsoon conditions. Southwesterly or westerly winds prevailed over the Mekong sub-region, with Myanmar experiencing stronger-than-usual westerly winds along the coast. Winds were generally weak in the southern ASEAN region, except for the area around Papua and south of Kalimantan where there were stronger-than-usual westerly or northwesterly winds due to Typhoon Wallace and a developing low pressure system in the Timor Sea.

1.2 Inter-monsoon conditions contributed to an increase in showers compared to March 2019 over the northern ASEAN region. However, dry weather continued to persist over many areas in Myanmar, northern Thailand and northern Lao PDR.

1.3 In the southern ASEAN region, showers fell over many parts of the region. Drier-than-average conditions were observed over northern Sumatra, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and West Kalimantan.

Figure 2: Daily average rainfall for the ASEAN region in the First Fortnight of April 2019. (Source: JAXA Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation)

Figure 3: Percent of average rainfall for 1 – 15 April 2019. The rainfall data may be less representative for areas with a less dense rainfall network. Hatched areas indicate climatology dry mask (average daily rainfall below 1 mm). (Source: IRI NOAA/NCEP CPC Unified Precipitation Analyses)

1.4 The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) signal remained weak during the first fortnight of April 2019 and had no significant influence on the weather over the ASEAN region (Figure 4).

Figure 4: The MJO phase diagram (blue for April 2019). The diagram illustrates the movement of the MJO through different phases, which correspond to different locations along the equator. The distance of the index from the centre of the diagram is correlated with the strength of MJO. When the index falls within the circle, the MJO is considered weak or indiscernible. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

1.1 The Northeast Monsoon season gradually weakened and transitioned to inter-monsoon conditions in the second fortnight of March 2019. The prevailing winds over the Mekong sub-region were generally weak and variable in direction, while that in the southern ASEAN region, were blowing from the southwest and northwest. Over Java, there were westerly and southwesterly anomalies due to low pressure systems that developed south of Java during the fortnight. Figure 1 shows the average and anomalous winds at 5000 feet.

1.2 The transition to inter-monsoon conditions during the latter part of the fortnight brought an increase in rainfall over southern parts of the Mekong sub-region. However, dry conditions prevailed over Myanmar, and the northern parts of Lao PDR and Thailand (Figure 2). In the southern ASEAN region, areas along the equatorial region, including southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, northern and central Sumatra and West Kalimantan received below-average rainfall under the influence of a persistent dry air mass extending from the Pacific Ocean over the Southeast Asia region (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Daily average rainfall for the ASEAN region in the second fortnight of March 2019. (Source: JAXA Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation)

Figure 3: Percent of average rainfall for 16 – 31 March 2019. The rainfall data may be less representative for areas with a less dense rainfall network. Hatched areas indicate climatology dry mask (average daily rainfall below 1 mm). (Source: IRI NOAA/NCEP CPC Unified Precipitation Analyses)

1.3 The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) signal remained weak during the second fortnight of March 2019 and had no significant influence on the weather over the ASEAN region (Figure 4).

Figure 4: The MJO phase diagram (green for March 2019). The diagram illustrates the movement of the MJO through different phases, which correspond to different locations along the equator. The distance of the index from the centre of the diagram is correlated with the strength of MJO. When the index falls within the circle, the MJO is considered weak or indiscernible. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

1.1 In the first fortnight of March 2019, northeasterly winds prevailed over the Philippines and the southern ASEAN region, while winds over the Mekong sub-region were light and blew mainly from the southwest. No significant wind anomalies were observed over the ASEAN region during this period. There was a gradual weakening of the northeasterly monsoonal winds during the first fortnight of the month.

1.2 The dry air mass that has been extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Southeast Asia region since late-January continued to bring persistent dry weather over the northern ASEAN region, as well as over parts of Peninsular Malaysia, northern and central Sumatra, and northern Borneo in the first half of March 2019. Rainfall was below-average for these areas.

1.3 In the first fortnight of March 2019, most of the rainfall fell over areas south of the equator (Figure 2). Rainfall was near-average to above-average for areas including southern Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java and the eastern archipelago of Indonesia (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Daily average rainfall for the ASEAN region in the first fortnight of March 2019. (Source: JAXA Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation)

Figure 3: Percent of average rainfall for 1 – 15 March 2019. The rainfall data may be less representative for areas with a less dense rainfall network. Hatched areas indicate climatology dry mask (average daily rainfall below 1 mm). (Source: IRI NOAA/NCEP CPC Unified Precipitation Analyses)

1.4 The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) propagated through Phase 2 – 3 and contributed to increased rainfall activities observed over areas south of the equator, including southern Sumatra, Java and the eastern archipelago of Indonesia. Towards the end of the fortnight, the MJO reached Phase 4, where it rapidly weakened.

Figure 4: The MJO phase diagram (green for March 2019). The diagram illustrates the movement of the MJO through different phases, which correspond to different locations along the equator. The distance of the index from the centre of the diagram is correlated with the strength of MJO. When the index falls within the circle, the MJO is considered weak or indiscernible. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions persisted over the ASEAN region in the second half of February 2019. Northeasterly or easterly winds prevailed over the Philippines, southern Thailand and most parts of the southern ASEAN region. Over the Mekong sub-region, prevailing winds were generally blowing from the southeast or southwest, with confluence of winds over parts of the Mekong sub-region.

1.2 A confluence of winds typically favours shower activity development, but weather over the Mekong sub-region remained dry mainly due to the presence of dry air mass that has extended from the Pacific Ocean over the Southeast Asia region. Elsewhere in the ASEAN region, rainfall distribution over the fortnight was also likely associated with the Madden – Julian Oscillation (MJO) which transitioned from phase 8 to phase 2 . Well below-average rainfall was recorded in the Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, western Kalimantan and parts of Java, while above-average rainfall was received in other parts of the southern ASEAN region.

Figure 2: Daily average rainfall for the ASEAN region in the second fortnight of February 2019. (Source: JAXA Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation)

Figure 3: Percent of average rainfall for 16 – 28 February 2019. The rainfall data may be less representative for areas with a less dense rainfall network. Hatched areas indicate climatology dry mask (average daily rainfall below 1 mm). (Source: IRI NOAA/NCEP CPC Unified Precipitation Analyses)

Figure 4: The MJO phase diagram (green for February 2019). The diagram illustrates the movement of the MJO through different phases, which correspond to different locations along the equator. The distance of the index from the centre of the diagram is correlated with the strength of MJO. When the index falls within the circle, the MJO is considered weak or indiscernible. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region in the second fortnight of December 2018. Dry weather persisted over the Mekong sub-region, and there were occasional dry periods in parts of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Rainfall was above-average over the Philippines, and below- to near-average in the southern ASEAN region.

1.2 The rainfall distribution and the percent of average rainfall for the second fortnight of December 2018 are shown in Figure 1 and 2.

1.3 Moderate to strong north-easterly winds prevailed over the northern ASEAN region while in the southern ASEAN region, winds were generally blowing from the west or north-west. During the period, there were westerly wind anomalies over the equatorial ASEAN region.

1.4 The tropical Pacific Ocean’s sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the Nino3.4 region continue to be above El Niño threshold. However, most of the atmospheric indicators of El Niño/La Niña over the tropical Pacific remained neutral. Without the atmosphere-ocean coupling, El Niño has yet to be fully establish.

Figure 5: The MJO phase diagram for Nov – Dec 2018 (blue for December). The diagram illustrates the movement of the MJO through different phases, which correspond to different locations along the equator. The distance of the index from the centre of the diagram is correlated with the strength of MJO. When the index falls within the circle, the MJO is considered weak or indiscernible. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

1.5 There were moderate to strong Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) signals, which propagated through Phase 4 – 5 during the review period. The MJO signals were consistent with the eastward shift of the rainfall pattern and the westerly wind anomalies observed in the region.

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region in the first half of December 2018. In the northern ASEAN region, weather was generally dry. Prevailing winds blew mainly from the northeast or east in general except in Myanmar, where winds were more variable. In the southern ASEAN region, winds were generally light and variable except for the moderate to strong northeasterly winds over parts of Malaysia. Confluence of winds along the equatorial region gave rise to rainy weather and above-average rainfall in many areas.

1.2 The daily average rainfall and the percentage of average rainfall for the first fortnight of December 2018 are shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. The 5000ft average winds and wind anomalies in the first half of December 2018 are shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively.

1.3 The Madden – Julian Oscillation (MJO) transitioned from Phase 8 to Phase 4 in the first half of December 2018, with slightly stronger amplitude of signals registered in Phase 2 to Phase 4. The stronger MJO activities in Phase 2 to Phase 4 are also associated with the rainy conditions experienced in the Indian Ocean and many parts of the southern ASEAN region.

1.1 Under prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions, dry conditions set in over the northern ASEAN region. Rainfall was generally below-average for the northern ASEAN region, except in central Philippines and southern Viet Nam where tropical storms brought heavy rains, and the northern parts of Lao PDR and Viet Nam. Most parts of the southern ASEAN region received near-average to above-average rainfall.

1.2 The rainfall distribution and the percent of average rainfall for the second fortnight of November 2018 are shown in Figure 1 and 2.

1.3 Tropical Storm Toraji developed off the east coast Viet Nam on 18 November and made landfall in southern Viet Nam on the same day. The tropical storm was short-lived and quickly dissipated thereafter. Typhoon Usagi first developed over the western Pacific Ocean on 18 November before tracking westward across the South China Sea. Typhoon Usagi made landfall on 25 November and brought heavy rains and strong winds to southern Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Figure 3: Storm tracks for Tropical Storm Toraji (left) and Typhoon Usagi (right). (Source: JAXA)

1.4 North-easterly and easterly winds prevailed over the northern ASEAN region under the Northeast Monsoon. However, there were south-westerly wind anomalies over the South China Sea due to the intensification of Typhoon Usagi over the area in the last week of November.

1.5 The tropical Pacific Ocean’s Nino 3.4 region sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies have crossed the El Niño threshold by a small margin and are at weak El Niño levels. However, most of the atmospheric indicators of El Niño/La Niña over the tropical Pacific have yet to show sustained El Niño characteristics.

1.6 The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) weakened slightly but continued to propagate eastward through Phase 5 – 8 during this period. The progression of MJO through Phase 7 – 8 could have contributed to the drier-than-usual weather over some parts of the region.