Latest Weather and Haze Situation

Dry conditions continued over many parts of the southern ASEAN region today, apart from showers mainly over Peninsular Malaysia, the northern and central parts of Sumatra, and parts of Borneo. Scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and the southern parts of Sumatra, while few to isolated hotspots were detected elsewhere in the southern ASEAN region. Moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze was observed over parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Sumatra, and the western parts of Sarawak. Moderate to dense smoke haze was also observed over Papua, the Maluku Islands and Sulawesi. Several air quality stations in Peninsular Malaysia recorded Unhealthy levels, while some stations in Kalimantan and Sumatra reported Unhealthy to Hazardous levels. The full extent of the hotspot situation over Kalimantan and Sumatra could not be determined due to obscuration by thick smoke haze and cloud cover, while the smoke haze situation over parts of the region could not be fully determined due to cloud cover. Showers were observed over the northern ASEAN region today, except for drier conditions over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region and the Philippines. A few hotspots were detected mainly in Viet Nam, but no significant smoke plumes were observed.
Updated on 5:26 PM 21 October

Weather and Haze Outlook

In the coming days, dry conditions are forecast to continue over parts of the southern ASEAN region, except for showers expected over Peninsular Malaysia, the northern and central parts of Sumatra, and parts of Borneo. While the hotspot and smoke haze situation may improve in areas experiencing showers, the situation is expected to remain elevated in fire-prone regions experiencing prolonged dry conditions, with a continued risk of severe transboundary haze occurrence. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are expected to blow mainly from the east-southeast to southwest, except over the northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia where winds are likely to blow from the northwest to northeast. Meanwhile, showers are expected over the northern ASEAN region, except for relatively drier conditions forecast over the northeastern parts of the Mekong sub-region. The hotspot and smoke haze situation is expected to remain subdued. The prevailing winds over the Mekong sub-region are forecast blow mainly from the northeast to southeast, except over the northwestern parts of the Mekong sub-region where winds are expected to be light and variable in direction. The winds over the Philippines are expected to be strong and blow from the southwest to north-northwest under the influence of Super Typhoon Champi.
Updated on 5:26 PM 21 October