James Kon
The Sultanate is currently at the end of the Northeast Monsoon and by first week April, the country will be in the inter-monsoon period that will last until May.
This was said by Meteorological Officer from the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) Nurulinani binti Haji Jahari in a presentation yesterday.
She added, “The inter-monsoon period is a transition period from Northeast Monsoon to Southeast Monsoon.”
The presentation was delivered at a Weather Forum organised in conjunction of World Meteorological Day 2023 celebration.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha attended the forum organised by Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) at the Auditorium Hall of the Information Department, Berakas.
Nurulinani said, “During the inter-monsoon season, winds can come from various directions.
Brunei Darussalam is a coastal country, therefore local wind patterns will play a major role in determining weather conditions during this period.”
She added, “During day time, wind blows from the sea toward the land and vice versa during night.
“The daily wind changes can cause formation of rain clouds inland in the afternoon, resulting in localised thunderstorms or thundershowers. This can spread to waterways areas at night.
“Therefore, the occurrence of thunderstorm is expected to be quite high.”
The presentation aimed to increase the understanding and awareness of the public on current weather conditions in Brunei as well as to facilitate the preparedness in planning and taking preliminary actions for any weather condition.
The forum’s panel members included Nurulinani, Department of Drainage and Sewerage (DDS) engineer Pengiran Siti Roslina binti Pengiran Haji Abdul Hamid, National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) officer Siti Joriahati binti Johari, and Head of Adaptation and Resilience Unit at the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat (BCCS) Mohammad Zulfadhli bin Haji Mahri.
The average rainfall that Brunei will receive in the next two months is 240 to 260 millimetres, while the average maximum temperature for April and May is quite high compared to other months, Nurulinani said.
“We would be expecting maximum temperature of above 32 degrees Celsius.
“Higher temperature is one of the weather impacts that can happen during the inter-monsoon season.
“In addition, thunderstorms also impact daily life with the risk of flash floods, slippery roads, and gusty winds damaging structures.
“Therefore the public must always be aware of weather warnings and advisories issued by BDMD.”
Themed ‘The Future of Weather, Climate and Water Across Generations’, the weather forum focussed on the upcoming weather situation in Brunei Darussalam, evidence of climate change in the country and a short history of advancements and achievements in the field of meteorology.
The panel also discussed topics revolving around the global threat of climate change and flash floods in Brunei as well as the measures to be taken in tackling such challenges.
World Meteorological Day is celebrated every March 23 to commemorate the enforcement of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) convention in 1950.
