The impacts of El-Nino to Brunei includes suppressed rainfall activity with increasing air temperature and low relative humidity. Dry and hot weather conditions are expected to occur in the coming months with possible increase in daily maximum temperatures reaching 34.0°C or more in the afternoon, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMB) stated in a release yesterday.
In view of the likelihood of El-Nino occurring, the BDMB advised the public to take precaution and safety measures as well as follow guidelines from the Ministry of Health with regards to the hot weather condition.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced that the likelihood of El-Nino developing during the second half of the year is increasing. Most international climate centres are in agreement that there is about 60 per cent chance of El-Nino developing during May-July, and will increase to about 70-80 per cent during June-September.
El-Nino is a phenomenon that occurs when sea surface temperature over the tropical Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than average. It is also known to be the ‘warm phase’ of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. This phenomenon occurs every three to seven years on average, and tends to peak during Northern Hemisphere winter (December to February).
During El-Nino episode, temporary disruptions to local weather patterns is expected around the world, including Brunei.
