Category Archives: Haze Review

CR58

April 20, 2021

Review of Regional Haze Situation for March 2021

1.1 In March 2021, Northeast Monsoon conditions gradually weakened over the ASEAN region and the prevailing winds started to turn light and variable on several days. In the northern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the northeast or southeast, although light and variable winds prevailed over the western parts of the Mekong sub-region. Extended dry conditions persisted over the sub-region in this month as its traditional dry season became established.

1.2 For the southern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the northeast or east. Northern and central Sumatra as well as parts of Peninsular Malaysia experienced drier conditions in early March 2021 under the influence of the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon. Elsewhere over the ASEAN region, isolated to scattered showers were observed.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for March 2021. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1.3 For March 2021, slightly higher hotspot counts were detected in Cambodia compared to previous years for the same period. In other parts of the ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for March this year were lower or comparable to previous years (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of March (2017 – 2021). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2017 – 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of March (2017 – 2021). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2017 – 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.4 Widespread to scattered hotspot activities were detected in most parts of the Mekong sub-region in March 2021, especially in Myanmar, northern Thailand, northern Cambodia and Lao PDR where persistent clusters of hotspots were detected on many days (Figures 4 and 5), contributed by continued dry conditions throughout the month.

1.5 Moderate to dense haze was observed emanating from clusters of hotspots on most days in the Mekong sub-region, particularly over Myanmar and northern parts of Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia (Figure 6).

1.6 In the southern ASEAN region, there were brief periods of drier weather in the first half of March 2021 over northern and central Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and West Kalimantan. This led to the development of isolated hotspots with localised smoke plumes on several days in the drier areas. As shower activities returned in late March 2021, the hotspot activities and smoke haze situation became more subdued.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in March 2021 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in March 2021 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in March 2021 over an area based on satellite imagery, ground observations and air quality reports.

March 17, 2021

Review of Regional Haze Situation for February 2021

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions continued to prevail over the ASEAN region in February 2021. In the northern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the east or the northeast although the strength of the winds was weaker over the Mekong sub-region. For parts of the southern ASEAN region north of the Equator, the winds blew mainly from the north, while south of the Equator, they blow from the northwest or west.

1.2 Dry conditions persisted over the Mekong sub-region in February 2021. Additionally, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and the northern and western parts of Borneo Island experienced periods of drier weather. Isolated to scattered showers fell elsewhere over the ASEAN region.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for February 2021. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1.3 In Myanmar and Kalimantan, the hotspot counts were slightly higher for the month of February this year as compared to prior years for the same review period. In other parts of the ASEAN region, the hotspot counts this year were comparable to previous years (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of February (2017 – 2021). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2017 – 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of February (2017 – 2021). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2017 – 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.4 In the northern ASEAN region, hotspot activities were detected in most parts of the Mekong sub-region. Persistent clusters of hotspots were also detected in Cambodia, southern Lao PDR, and northern Myanmar (Figures 4 and 5).

1.5 Throughout the month, intermittent cloudy conditions were observed over various parts of the Mekong sub-region which were associated with isolated to scattered showers. In areas that received rainfall, the hotspot and smoke haze situation was temporarily subdued. However, by the end of the month, dry and fair conditions had returned to the sub-region. This led to an escalation of the fire and smoke haze situation, particularly over northern Myanmar, northwestern Thailand, and northern Cambodia where moderate to dense smoke haze was observed (Figure 6).

1.6 In the southern ASEAN region, periods of drier weather over northern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and the western parts of Borneo Island led to a progressive escalation of hotspot activities in these areas during the month. Localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of these hotspots on several days. By the end of the month, moderate to dense smoke haze were observed to emanate from persistent hotspot clusters in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in February 2021 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in February 2021 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in February 2021 over an area based on satellite imagery, ground observations and air quality reports.

February 26, 2021

Review of Regional Haze Situation for January 2021

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region in January 2021. In the northern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the northeast or east, strengthening at times under the influence of high-pressure systems moving eastwards over continental Asia. Dry conditions persisted over the Mekong sub-region while wet weather conditions were observed mostly over the eastern parts of the Philippines. In the southern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the northwest or northeast over areas near the Equator, and mainly from the west or northwest over areas south of the Equator. There were isolated to scattered shower activities over the region, with rainfall observed to be higher over parts of Malaysia, Singapore, North Kalimantan, central Sumatra, and Java Island.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for January 2021. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1.2 The hotspot counts in the ASEAN region for January 2021 were comparatively lower than those from the same review period in previous years, with the exception of Myanmar (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of January (2017 – 2021). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2017 – 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of January (2017 – 2021). [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2017 – 2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 In the northern ASEAN region, hotspot activities were detected in many parts of the Mekong sub-region. In particular, persistent clusters of hotspots were detected in the northeastern parts of Myanmar, and the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia (Figure 4 and Figure 5). During the first fortnight of the month, moderate smoke haze was first observed to emanate from the hotspot clusters in the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia (Figure 6).

1.4 In view of the prolonged dry conditions, increased hotspot activities and persistent hotspot clusters in the Mekong sub-region, the Alert Level was raised to Level 2 for the sub-region on 14 January 2021. The hotspot and haze situation in the Mekong sub-region further deteriorated during the second fortnight of the month when moderate smoke haze was observed over larger areas of Cambodia, as well as over parts of Thailand and Myanmar (Figure 6). In particular, dense smoke haze was detected over the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia towards the end of the month. In the southern ASEAN region, hotspot activities were subdued due to the wet weather conditions.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for January 2021.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for January 2021.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed over an area based on satellite imagery, ground observations and air quality reports in January 2021.

January 26, 2021

Review of Regional Haze Situation for December 2020

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region in December 2020. In the northern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mainly from the northeast or east during this month, with moderate to strong northeasterly winds over the southeastern Mekong sub-region on several days. Dry conditions developed over the Mekong sub-region, except over coastal areas of Viet Nam where isolated showers were observed on a few days. In the southern ASEAN region, isolated to scattered showers fell over most areas with the prevailing winds blowing mainly from the west or northeast. Rainfall activity was highest in southern Thailand, northern Peninsular Malaysia, Java and eastern coastal areas of the Philippines.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for December 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1.2 The hotspot counts in the ASEAN region for December 2020 remained relatively low when compared to the same review period in previous years (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of December between 2016 and 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of December between 2016 and 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 Isolated to scattered hotspots were detected in many parts of the Mekong sub-region in December 2020. In particular, localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of the isolated hotspots in Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. In the southern ASEAN region, the hotspot situation was subdued by rainy conditions.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for December 2020.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for December 2020.

December 21, 2020

Review of Regional Haze Situation for November 2020

1.1 Intermonsoon conditions over the ASEAN region gradually made way for the Northeast Monsoon in November 2020. The prevailing winds blew from the northeast or east over the northern ASEAN region and were light and variable over the southern ASEAN region. In the northern ASEAN region, dry weather prevailed over most of the Mekong sub-region except for the coastal regions of southern Viet Nam where higher rainfall was observed partly due to Super Typhoon Goni. The average daily rainfall (Figure 1) was highest in the Philippines under the influence of Tropical Storm Etau, Typhoon Vamco and Super Typhoon Goni. Wet weather prevailed over most parts of the southern ASEAN region as the monsoon band moved south towards the equator.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for November 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1.2 Due to drier conditions over parts of Kalimantan, Myanmar and Thailand, hotspot counts in these regions were slightly elevated compared to the same review period in 2016 – 2018 but lower than those in 2019. Elsewhere over the ASEAN region, the hotspot counts were comparable to those in previous years’ review periods (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of November between 2016 and 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of November between 2016 and 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 In November 2020, Isolated hotspots were detected in many parts of the ASEAN region, particularly in Kalimantan, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and the Mekong sub-region (Figure 4). On a few days in November 2020, localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of the hotspots in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and the Myanmar. Otherwise, no significant smoke haze was observed.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for November 2020.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for November 2020.

November 13, 2020

Review of Regional Haze Situation for October 2020

1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions persisted over the ASEAN region in October 2020. The prevailing winds blew mainly from the southeast or southwest except over the Mekong sub-region where winds were mostly variable under the influence of several low-pressure systems. In the northern ASEAN region, rainy weather persisted throughout most of the month. The average daily rainfall (Figure 1) was highest in Luzon Island of the Philippines and central regions of Viet Nam under the influence of the tropical storms Lingfa, Nangka and Saudel, Typhoon Malave and Super Typhoon Goni. In the southern ASEAN region, despite this time of the year typically being the dry season, shower activities were still observed over many areas on most days. There was little variation in average daily rainfall across the southern ASEAN region except for generally dry conditions observed mainly over the regions surrounding the Java Sea and Flores Sea.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for October 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1.2 The hotspot counts in the ASEAN region for October 2020 remained relatively low when compared to the same review period in previous years due to wet weather (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for the month of October between 2016 and 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for the month of October between 2016 and 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 onwards are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 Isolated hotspots were detected in many parts of the ASEAN region in October 2020, particularly in Kalimantan, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and Sulawesi (Figure 4) during brief periods of drier weather. On a few days in October 2020, localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of the hotspots in Kalimantan. Otherwise, no significant smoke haze was observed.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for October 2020.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for October 2020.

October 20, 2020

Review of Regional Haze Situation for September 2020

1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions persisted over the ASEAN region in September 2020 and the prevailing winds blew mainly from the southeast or southwest. In the northern ASEAN region, rainy weather persisted throughout most of the month, particularly during the third week when Tropical Storm Noul made landfall over the Mekong sub-region and brought widespread showers. Average daily rainfall (Figure 1) was highest in coastal areas of Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. In the southern ASEAN region, shower activities were frequently observed over many areas despite this period of the year being its traditional dry season. Average daily rainfall was highest in northwestern Borneo, northern Sumatra and West Papua while generally dry conditions were observed mainly over the Java Sea region.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for September 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS respectively)

1. 1.2 The hotspot counts in the ASEAN region for September 2020 remained relatively low when compared to the same review period in previous years due to wet weather (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for September 2016 – 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for September 2016 – 2020. [Note: The hotspot counts from 2019 are based on the NOAA-20 satellite, while those from 2016-2018 are based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 Isolated hotspots were detected in many parts of the ASEAN region in September 2020. In particular, persistent clusters of hotspots were detected in Viet Nam, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and some parts of Kalimantan (Figure 4). Localized smoke haze was also observed to emanate from some of the intense hotspots in Kalimantan during the second half of the month.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for September 2020.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for September 2020.

September 17, 2020

Review of Regional Haze Situation for August 2020

1.1 In August 2020, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region and the prevailing winds blew from the southeast or southwest. The location of the monsoon rain band north of the Equator, combined with the impact of Tropical Storms Sinlaku/Mekkhala and Typhoon Maysak, contributed to the rainy weather over most of the northern ASEAN region (Figure 1). In the southern ASEAN region, the weather was mostly dry in the first half of the month followed by an increase in shower activities over the equatorial region in the latter half of the month.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Wind for August 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP)

1.2 The hotspot counts were observed to be relatively low when compared to the same review period in previous years for most parts of the ASEAN region due to the wetter weather (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for August 2016 – 2020. [Note: The hotspot count from 2019 is based on the NOAA-20 satellite, and based on the Suomi-NPP satellite for the period from 2016-2018.]

Figure 3: Hotspot count for the northern ASEAN region for August 2016 – 2020. [Note: The hotspot count from 2019 is based on the NOAA-20 satellite, and based on the Suomi-NPP satellite for the period from 2016-2018.]

1.3 In August 2020, isolated hotspots were detected mostly in Kalimantan and Sumatra, as well as in some parts of Java, Nusa Tenggara and Viet Nam (Figure 4). While most of the hotspots detected in the ASEAN region were short-lived, a cluster of hotspots with high fire intensity (Figure 5) was observed to persist for more than a week (Figure 4) in West Kalimantan. Isolated smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of these hotspots and affected the western parts of Sarawak on 8 August 2020.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for Jul 2020.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance in Jul 2020.

August 13, 2020

Review of Regional Haze Situation for July 2020

1.1 In July 2020, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region, with low-level winds blowing from the southeast or southwest. This period is typically associated with the traditional dry season over the southern ASEAN region and traditional rainy season over the northern ASEAN region. However, during most parts of the review period, the monsoon rain band remained over the equatorial Southeast Asia region and brought wet weather on many days to the equatorial southern ASEAN region. Around the last week of July 2020, the monsoon rain band shifted north, and this brought brief periods of dry weather over the southern ASEAN region, including Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Kalimantan. This indicated the start of the traditional dry season for the southern ASEAN region. In the northern ASEAN region, rainy weather continued to prevail throughout the review period.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall for Jul 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP)

1.2 The rainy weather in July 2020 contributed to the relatively low number of hotspots detected in the northern and southern ASEAN region, compared to the same period in previous years.

Figure 2: Hotspot count for the northern ASEAN region for Jul 2013 – 2020. [Note: Hotspot count from year 2019 onward is based on the NOAA-20 satellite, and for the period from year 2013-2018 is based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot count for the southern ASEAN region for Jul 2013 – 2020. [Note: Hotspot count from year 2019 onward is based on the NOAA-20 satellite, and for the period from year 2013-2018 is based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 In July 2020, isolated hotspots were detected in parts of Viet Nam, Malaysia, Sumatra and Kalimantan. Occasionally, a few clusters of hotspots with localised smoke plumes were observed in Sumatra and Kalimantan, but the hotspots were short-lived and no significant smoke haze were observed.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for Jul 2020.

1.4 The fire intensity of hotspots detected in the ASEAN region in July 2020 was low. No significant smoke haze was observed from satellite surveillance and ground reports.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance in Jul 2020.

July 17, 2020

Review of Regional Haze Situation for June 2020

1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region in June 2020. The prevailing winds in the region generally blew from the southeast or southwest. While the traditional dry season of the southern ASEAN region typically starts in June, during the review period, there have been persistent and widepread showers over the southern ASEAN region brought about by the close proximity of the monsoon rain band. The prevailing wet conditions over the Mekong sub-region during this period is typical of the traditional rainy season associated with the Southwest Monsoon of the northern ASEAN region.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall for Jun 2020. (Source: JAXA GsMaP)

1.2 2. In Jun 2020, the number of hotspots detected in both the northern and southern ASEAN region remained generally subdued due to rainy weather. In particular, the total number of hotspots detected in the southern ASEAN region for Jun 2020 was the lowest ever recorded since year 2013.

Figure 2: Hotspot count for the northern ASEAN region for Jun 2013 – 2020. [Note: Hotspot count from year 2019 onward is based on the NOAA-20 satellite, and for the period from year 2013-2018 is based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

Figure 3: Hotspot count for the southern ASEAN region for Jun 2013 – 2020. [Note: Hotspot count from year 2019 onward is based on the NOAA-20 satellite, and for the period from year 2013-2018 is based on the Suomi-NPP satellite.]

1.3 While hotspot activities in the region remained subdued, isoted hotspots were still detected in parts of Viet Nam and Sumatra on some days. Localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some hotspots in Riau, Sumatra and Central Kalimantan. These hotspots however were short-lived and did not contribute to any significant smoke haze.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance for Jun 2020.

1.4 In June 2020, the fire intensity of hotspots detected across the region was low. There was no significant smoke haze observed based on satellite imageries and ground reports.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance in Jun 2020.