Haze Review for Year 2022 Archives - Page 2 of 2

Review of Regional Haze Situation for February 2022

1.1 The ASEAN region continued to be influenced by Northeast Monsoon conditions in February 2022. Over areas north of the equator, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the northeast even though the winds were relatively weaker and more variable in direction over the Mekong sub-region. For areas south of the equator, the prevailing winds blew mostly from the west or northwest (Figure 1).

1.2 Dry conditions persisted over the Mekong sub-region throughout the review period of February 2022, except for isolated shower activities in the southern parts of the sub-region on some days. Elsewhere in the ASEAN region, rainy weather was observed in many areas. However, parts of Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines experienced brief periods of drier weather.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for February 2022. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 Prolonged dry conditions over the Mekong sub-region led to an increase in overall hotspot activity in February 2022. While isolated to scattered hotspots were detected in most parts of the sub-region on several days, the hotspot counts were generally lower this year compared to previous years (Figure 2). In the southern ASEAN region, hotspot activity was generally subdued, with only isolated hotspots detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The hotspot counts were also lower compared to previous years (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of February (2018 – 2022). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of February (2018 – 2022). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.4 In view of the increase in hotspots and escalating smoke haze situation in the Mekong sub-region, ASMC activated Alert Level 2 for the sub-region on 11 February 2022. From the middle of the month, persistent hotspots and a few localised smoke plumes were detected in many parts of the Mekong sub-region, particularly over Myanmar, northern Cambodia, and southern Lao PDR (Figures 4 and 5). By the end of the month, moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to emanate from persistent hotspot clusters in Myanmar, northern Thailand, northern Cambodia, and southern Lao PDR (Figures 6 and 7).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in February 2022 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in February 2022 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in February 2022 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Moderate to dense smoke haze observed over Myanmar and northern Thailand on 27 February 2022, based on NOAA-20 satellite imagery.

Review of Regional Haze Situation for January 2022

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions persisted over the ASEAN region in January 2022. This month, the prevailing low-level winds over regions north of the Equator blew mostly from the northeast or east while the prevailing low-level winds over regions south of the Equator blew mainly from the west or northwest. Under the influence of the Northeast Monsoon, persistent dry conditions were observed over the Mekong sub-region. Relatively dry weather was also observed over parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Sumatra in January 2022. Wetter conditions were observed over regions south of the Equator during the review period in line with the monsoon rainband’s position south of the Equator.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for January 2022. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.2 In January 2022, hotspot activities started to increase in the Mekong sub-region as dry conditions prevailed, while wet conditions helped subdue hotspot activities in the southern ASEAN region. The hotspot counts for the Mekong sub-region in January 2022 were mostly lower compared to previous years, while the hotspot counts over the southern ASEAN region were generally similar to previous years (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of January (2018 – 2022). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of January (2018 – 2022). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 The Mekong sub-region remained at Alert Level 1 for the month as the risk of transboundary haze remained low. However, there was an increase in hotspot activities with localized smoke plumes in persistently dry areas of the sub-region. In particular, clusters of scattered hotspots with visible smoke plumes were detected in northeastern Cambodia on several days. Elsewhere in the ASEAN region, hotspot activities remained mostly subdued (Figures 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in January 2022 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in January 2022 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.