Latest Weather and Haze Situation

The weather stayed dry over the northern ASEAN region today, apart from some showers over the southeastern parts of the Mekong sub-region and the Philippines. Clusters of widespread hotspots were detected in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand, while scattered hotspots were detected in Myanmar and Viet Nam. Moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze was observed to drift eastwards from eastern Myanmar into northern Thailand and northern Lao PDR, from northern Thailand into northern Lao PDR, and from northern Lao PDR into northern Viet Nam. Moderate smoke plumes were observed emanating from isolated hotspots detected in other parts of Myanmar, eastern and western Thailand, southern Lao PDR, northern and central Cambodia, as well as central Viet Nam. Many air quality stations in the northern, central and eastern parts of the Mekong sub-region reported Unhealthy levels, with few stations in the northern and eastern parts reporting Very Unhealthy levels. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation over northern Myanmar and northern Viet Nam cannot be determined due to a partial satellite pass and cloud cover.

Showers prevailed over the southern ASEAN region today, apart from the northeastern parts of Peninsular Malaysia where it was relatively drier. The overall hotspot activity remained low, with few hotspots detected in Peninsular Malaysia and Kalimantan. From the latest satellite imagery, localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia and drift towards the west.
Updated on 5:24 PM 01 May

Weather and Haze Outlook

Dry weather is likely to persist over the Mekong sub-region over the next few days, except over the eastern and western parts of the sub-region where showers are forecast. The elevated hotspots and transboundary haze situation is expected to continue in the Mekong sub-region, especially over the northern and central parts of the sub-region. The prevailing winds over the Mekong sub-region are likely to blow mainly from the southwest, whereas the prevailing winds over the Philippines are forecast to blow from the east.

The southern ASEAN region is expected to remain wet, apart from parts of northeastern Peninsular Malaysia where relatively drier conditions are likely. The overall hotspot and smoke haze situation is forecast to remain subdued, though few to isolated hotspots with localized smoke plumes may still occur in drier areas. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are expected to be generally light and variable in direction.
Updated on 5:24 PM 01 May