Latest Weather and Haze Situation

Dry weather conditions persisted over the northern ASEAN region today, except for parts of northern, central and eastern Mekong sub-region where there were showers. Clusters of widespread hotspots were detected in Myanmar and Lao PDR, while isolated to scattered hotspots were detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to drift eastwards from parts of Myanmar into northern and western Thailand, 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 in southern Viet Nam, northern and western Cambodia, southern Lao PDR, eastern and western Thailand, and large parts of Myanmar. Many air quality stations in the northern and eastern parts of the Mekong sub-region reported Unhealthy levels, with several stations in the northern parts reporting Very Unhealthy levels. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation over the northern, central and eastern parts of the Mekong sub- region cannot be determined due to cloud cover.

The southern ASEAN region experienced isolated showers today. Few to isolated hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, although the full hotspot situation over Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia could not be determined due to a partial satellite pass. Slight localized smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots in eastern Kalimantan.
Updated on 5:48 PM 19 April

Weather and Haze Outlook

The northern ASEAN region is expected to remain dry in the coming days, except for some showers over the central parts of the Mekong sub-region and southern Philippines. The hotspot and transboundary haze situation is likely to persist, particularly over the northern parts of the sub-region. The prevailing winds over areas north of the Equator are forecast to blow from the east to southwest.

Over the southern ASEAN region, wet weather is expected to continue and the overall hotspot and smoke haze situation is likely to stay subdued, though few to isolated hotspots with localized smoke plumes may still occur in drier areas. The prevailing winds over areas south of the Equator are forecast to be light and variable in direction.
Updated on 5:48 PM 19 April