Goodbye to April 2007
It's been a strange April in Thailand this year.
It started pretty much on schedule, with the weather warming up on a daily base.
Around Songkran however and on Samui on Songkran it was very untypically raining and we had strong winds.
My wife, who's local a Samui girl can't remember a Songkran with rain.
The last couple of days of April I spent in Bangkok and there was lots of rain in Bangkok as well. During those days Samui had storms and lots of rain.
April, the warmest and hottest month of the year, kinda slipped and went out of tune with rain and storms.
This weather pattern seems to be conform to other strange, seasonally untypical weather occurrences around the world. Let's hope things turn for the better in May.
Monday, 30 April 2007
30th April 2007
Today's weather;
Back from Bangkok and entered Samui with the most untypical April weather imaginable. This morning it has been non stop raining since I woke up at 7am. Although today's max temp is expected to be at 32C, yesterday's max temp barely reached 28C!
Hang in there and let's hope for some better weather in May.
Back from Bangkok and entered Samui with the most untypical April weather imaginable. This morning it has been non stop raining since I woke up at 7am. Although today's max temp is expected to be at 32C, yesterday's max temp barely reached 28C!
Hang in there and let's hope for some better weather in May.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
More heat, more floods, more cold
More heat, more floods, more cold
Climate change could see the number of days with temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius or more triple, a scientist warned yesterday.
It was also likely to have a dramatic effect on the Chao Phya river and floods in Bangkok.
Dr Anon Sanitwong na Ayutthaya told a climate-change seminar yesterday the country's weather would become more extreme in coming decades.
Anon expected global warming to increase Chao Phya River levels by as much as 40 per cent in coming years. Higher tides would add to the flooding problems faced by the Central plains and greater-Bangkok.
Anon is the director of the Southeast Asian bureau of SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training, or START, based at Chulalongkorn University. He predicted the country would soon swelter in 33-degree-plus heat for as many as 60 days a year. The hottest place was likely to be Uthai Thani, which is located in a basin. Nakhon Sawan would be the next warmest. But Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon and Chai Nat would be least affected.
Anon cited a climate model predicting weather events from 30 years to 80 years hence.
Interestingly, cool days were also expected to increase. Thailand could expect between 30 to 40 days a year below 26C. Currently, about 20 to 30 days are below this mark.
The west coast would be coolest, thanks to increased rainfall. And provinces in mountain areas could suffer problems.
He said climate change would not affect Thailand as it had sub-Saharan Africa, where increased temperatures melted mountain snow and ice, which had flooded rivers and accelerated the breeding of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
But, he warned the country to put in place policies to cope with climate change.
But, in Chiang Rai, rice crops would increase 15 per cent because it would receive more rain, he said.
Meanwhile, Meteorological Department chief Supareuk Tansriratanawong said this hot season would be more extreme in many areas, especially the North, Northeast and Central Thailand. Temperatures could hit 42 degrees in Nong Khai and Lampang. He said these temperatures would be common until mid-May.
Supareuk revised earlier department predictions the hottest period this year would be between April 25 and April 26. A cool front from China would bring rainstorms and hail to the North and Northeast, easing temperatures.
In the meantime, the heat has seen power usage in Bangkok soar.
Data shows last month the city gobbled up 7,522 megawatts of electricity, outpacing consumption at the same time last year by 2 per cent. By comparison, the city consumed 6,654 megawatts in January and 7,032 in February.
In the North, temperatures have exceeded 40C.
The department's northern office said Lampang's Muang district recorded temperatures of 42 degrees while other provinces reported between 37 and 41C.
Office spokesman Rakchai Srinuan said temperatures were between four degrees to six degrees warmer than last year.
Chiang Mai and Lamphun were at risk of more forest fires, which have cast a pall over the region since March and made thousands sick. Doi Inthanon National Park chief Anan Son-ngai said rangers were on a 24-hour alert.
Artificial rainmaking is planned to help ease the heat.
Dr Parithat Silpakit of Suan Prung Mental Hospital warned that the punishing heat could drive over-stressed residents to suicide.
In Kalasin, which saw 38C heat yesterday, farmers were advised to install cooling fans in pig enclosures to avoid stock suffering heatstroke and diarrhoea.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/24/headlines/headlines_30032561.php
Climate change could see the number of days with temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius or more triple, a scientist warned yesterday.
It was also likely to have a dramatic effect on the Chao Phya river and floods in Bangkok.
Dr Anon Sanitwong na Ayutthaya told a climate-change seminar yesterday the country's weather would become more extreme in coming decades.
Anon expected global warming to increase Chao Phya River levels by as much as 40 per cent in coming years. Higher tides would add to the flooding problems faced by the Central plains and greater-Bangkok.
Anon is the director of the Southeast Asian bureau of SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training, or START, based at Chulalongkorn University. He predicted the country would soon swelter in 33-degree-plus heat for as many as 60 days a year. The hottest place was likely to be Uthai Thani, which is located in a basin. Nakhon Sawan would be the next warmest. But Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon and Chai Nat would be least affected.
Anon cited a climate model predicting weather events from 30 years to 80 years hence.
Interestingly, cool days were also expected to increase. Thailand could expect between 30 to 40 days a year below 26C. Currently, about 20 to 30 days are below this mark.
The west coast would be coolest, thanks to increased rainfall. And provinces in mountain areas could suffer problems.
He said climate change would not affect Thailand as it had sub-Saharan Africa, where increased temperatures melted mountain snow and ice, which had flooded rivers and accelerated the breeding of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
But, he warned the country to put in place policies to cope with climate change.
But, in Chiang Rai, rice crops would increase 15 per cent because it would receive more rain, he said.
Meanwhile, Meteorological Department chief Supareuk Tansriratanawong said this hot season would be more extreme in many areas, especially the North, Northeast and Central Thailand. Temperatures could hit 42 degrees in Nong Khai and Lampang. He said these temperatures would be common until mid-May.
Supareuk revised earlier department predictions the hottest period this year would be between April 25 and April 26. A cool front from China would bring rainstorms and hail to the North and Northeast, easing temperatures.
In the meantime, the heat has seen power usage in Bangkok soar.
Data shows last month the city gobbled up 7,522 megawatts of electricity, outpacing consumption at the same time last year by 2 per cent. By comparison, the city consumed 6,654 megawatts in January and 7,032 in February.
In the North, temperatures have exceeded 40C.
The department's northern office said Lampang's Muang district recorded temperatures of 42 degrees while other provinces reported between 37 and 41C.
Office spokesman Rakchai Srinuan said temperatures were between four degrees to six degrees warmer than last year.
Chiang Mai and Lamphun were at risk of more forest fires, which have cast a pall over the region since March and made thousands sick. Doi Inthanon National Park chief Anan Son-ngai said rangers were on a 24-hour alert.
Artificial rainmaking is planned to help ease the heat.
Dr Parithat Silpakit of Suan Prung Mental Hospital warned that the punishing heat could drive over-stressed residents to suicide.
In Kalasin, which saw 38C heat yesterday, farmers were advised to install cooling fans in pig enclosures to avoid stock suffering heatstroke and diarrhoea.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/24/headlines/headlines_30032561.php
24th April 2007
Today's weather;
It's got the outlook of another very warm day with right now already over 29C and with an expected high of 33C.
It's definitely April weather now, in contrast to the rather 'cold' and wet Songkran days.
I'm off to Bangkok for a few days so this may well be the last entry for April.
It's got the outlook of another very warm day with right now already over 29C and with an expected high of 33C.
It's definitely April weather now, in contrast to the rather 'cold' and wet Songkran days.
I'm off to Bangkok for a few days so this may well be the last entry for April.
Monday, 23 April 2007
23rd April 2007
Today's weather;
It's blue outside with occasional clouds. The temperature is at 27C with an expected 33C.
Yesterday we went around the island with our children and visited amongst others the Na Muang waterfall in the south of the island. It was hot and very busy with mainly Thai families out and about with their kids. Today most of the schools on the island start the new term. The big summer holidays are over and a new school year is about to start!
It's blue outside with occasional clouds. The temperature is at 27C with an expected 33C.
Yesterday we went around the island with our children and visited amongst others the Na Muang waterfall in the south of the island. It was hot and very busy with mainly Thai families out and about with their kids. Today most of the schools on the island start the new term. The big summer holidays are over and a new school year is about to start!
Sunday, 22 April 2007
22nd April 2007
Today's weather;
Light overcast and 27C currently with an expected high of 32C.
Yesterday it was very hot, with the max temp being 32.5C
Light overcast and 27C currently with an expected high of 32C.
Yesterday it was very hot, with the max temp being 32.5C
Saturday, 21 April 2007
21st April 2007
Today's weather;
It started out fairly cloudy and threatening at 7am this morning with already 29.5C and expected 33C today.
Yesterday it was hot with 32.5C.
Today's entry is rather late, since at 7am we were at a local wedding, where a couple of 100 people where attending. Eating some nice Thai food is the norm, Moo Waan (Sweet Pork), Yam Kuung Heng (Dry Shrimp salad), steamed chicken and some soup and a buffalo curry that nobody ate!
Water and coke or another soda with some ice are always present and even this early in the morning at some tables the local Thai Whiskey bottles were being cracked open.
On the left picture the groom is being 'delivered' to the party/bride and on the right hand picture you get an overview from the party area.
It started out fairly cloudy and threatening at 7am this morning with already 29.5C and expected 33C today.
Yesterday it was hot with 32.5C.
Today's entry is rather late, since at 7am we were at a local wedding, where a couple of 100 people where attending. Eating some nice Thai food is the norm, Moo Waan (Sweet Pork), Yam Kuung Heng (Dry Shrimp salad), steamed chicken and some soup and a buffalo curry that nobody ate!
Water and coke or another soda with some ice are always present and even this early in the morning at some tables the local Thai Whiskey bottles were being cracked open.
On the left picture the groom is being 'delivered' to the party/bride and on the right hand picture you get an overview from the party area.
Friday, 20 April 2007
20th April 2007
Today's weather;
Well, I'm back from Koh Tao and had three very nice days with some excellent diving and lovely weather over at Koh Tao.
On Samui in the meantime, it's hot again and a slight overcast with an expected high of 33C. Currently it's already 29C.
Well, I'm back from Koh Tao and had three very nice days with some excellent diving and lovely weather over at Koh Tao.
On Samui in the meantime, it's hot again and a slight overcast with an expected high of 33C. Currently it's already 29C.
Monday, 16 April 2007
16th April 2007
Today's weather;
It's complete overcast this morning. It's about 27C right now with an expected high of 33C.
Yesterdays max temp was 31C.
I'm off to Koh Tao again for two days, teaching Instructor level Specialties.
It's complete overcast this morning. It's about 27C right now with an expected high of 33C.
Yesterdays max temp was 31C.
I'm off to Koh Tao again for two days, teaching Instructor level Specialties.
Sunday, 15 April 2007
15th April 2007
Today's weather;
It's not getting much better, it's still a very clouded sky although the current temp is already 29C with an expected 32C.
Yesterday was a fairly hot day with no rain.
It's not getting much better, it's still a very clouded sky although the current temp is already 29C with an expected 32C.
Yesterday was a fairly hot day with no rain.
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