Summer officially starts, and it'll be hot and dry
text size

Summer officially starts, and it'll be hot and dry

Meanwhile, it's frosty on Doi Inthanon

Pedestrians use umbrellas to provide shade from the hot sun in Bangkok's Bang Na area. Th weather office announced the start of summer on Wednesday, with a forecast for temperatures to rise to a blistering 45°C. (Bangkok Post)
Pedestrians use umbrellas to provide shade from the hot sun in Bangkok's Bang Na area. Th weather office announced the start of summer on Wednesday, with a forecast for temperatures to rise to a blistering 45°C. (Bangkok Post)

The Meteorological Department has announced the start of summer, with temperatures expected to peak at a blistering 45°C over the next few months in some areas.

Meanwhile, people gathered to enjoy a late frost at the top of Thailand's highest mountain, in Chiang Mai, on Thursday morning. 

The announcement said the cool season had already ended and summer officially began on Wednesday.

The immediate outlook is for daily peaks averaging 35°C in the afternoon, helped by strong solar radiation and a southerly wind blowing over upper regions of the country.

The North and the Northeast could face cooler mornings until mid-March.

This year’s hot season is expected to end in mid-May, the department said.

Temperatures are forecast at 36-37°C on average this summer. Last year's summer average was 35.8°C.

Somkhuan Tonjan, director of the forecast sub-division, said March and April would be the hottest months, with 43-44°C highs. However, some areas could experience up to 45°C, above the record 44.6°C registered in Mae Hong Son province in 2016 and in Tak province last year.

The El Nino weather pattern remains strong, though there is a weakening trend. This would result in dry weather, he said. Rainfall could be 30% below normal and its distribution would not be favourable.

This would result in drought outside irrigation zones. There may be shortages of water for domestic use and for the agricultural sector, Mr Somkhuan said.

In  stark contrast, the temperature dropped to 3°C at the top of Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, in Chiang Mai, on Thursday morning, with frost coating the leaves of plants. In lowland areas of Chiang Mai province, temperatures were 14-16°C.

The cool weather and frost, or moei khab, drew many tourists to the Kiew Mae Pan viewpoint on Doi Inthanon.

Frost coats leaves at the top of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province on Thursday morning, as the Meteorogical Department announced the start of a hot, dry summer. (photo: Panumet Tanraksa)

Frost coats leaves at the top of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province on Thursday morning, as the Meteorogical Department announced the start of a hot, dry summer. (photo: Panumet Tanraksa)

Tourists enjoy the cool weather at Doi Inthanon. (Photo: Panumet Tangraksa)

Tourists enjoy the cool weather at Doi Inthanon. (Photo: Panumet Tangraksa)

Do you like the content of this article?
Bangkok Post - The world’s window on Thailand | Breaking news, Thailand news, Latest news, World news
Currency/Baht
Buy (Baht)
Sell (Baht)
usd USD
33.5151
33.8337
gbp GBP
41.545
42.3353
eur EUR
34.5437
35.1891
jpy JPY
21.5459
22.1502
hkd HKD
4.2904
4.3591
cny CNY
4.5706
4.6788
Source: Bank of Thailand (06 Feb 2025)
BANGKOK
Clear
24°/28°
CHIANG MAI
Clear
21°/24°
PATTAYA
Clear
22°/22°
SURAT THANI
Clouds
22°/24°
PHUKET
Clouds
26°/26°
KANCHANABURI
Clouds
27°/27°
Source: openweathermap.org (06 Feb 2025)
SET
1,281.73
-5.01
SET50
835.11
-2.97
SET50FF
805.31
-1.79
SET100
1,792.92
-6.96
SET100FF
1,738.65
-4.49
sSET
639.20
-4.06
SETCLMV
649.70
-5.91
Source: settrade.com (06 Feb 2025)
Buy (Baht)
Sell (Baht)
GOLD (1 BAHT WEIGHT, 96.5%)
Buy (Baht)45,550.00
Sell (Baht)45,650.00
ORNAMENT (1 BAHT WEIGHT, 96.5%)
Buy (Baht)44,737.16
Sell (Baht)46,150.00
Source: GoldTraders (06 Feb 2025)
Fuel price bangchak
Date: 06 Feb 2025
CHECK OUT YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

STAY INFORMED.
GET DAILY UPDATES FROM THE BANGKOK POST.

Please put in a valid-email.
By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy.

BANGKOK POST EPAPER

The digital version of the Bangkok Post.

BANGKOK POST EPAPER
SUBSCRIBE NOW

HOME DELIVERY

Trusted news delivered every morning at your doorsteps

HOME DELIVERY
SUBSCRIBE NOW
COMMENT (26)

By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy and terms

Accept and close

By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy and terms

Accept and close