BMKG Releases Weekly Weather Outlook; Thunderstorm Warning in 12 Provinces

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) updated its weekly weather outlook and early warning for September 13-19, 2024. Heavy rainfall is expected to hit northern Indonesia in the upcoming week, while the south remains relatively dry.

In the report updated on September 12, the BMKG’s Center of Public Meteorology mentioned that some regions in Indonesia will experience a significant rise in raincloud formation. This situation is prompted by the interaction of several global and regional weather phenomena, including the Kelvin waves and Equatorial Rossby.

“The warm surface temperature in some Indonesian waters also holds an important role in increasing the water vapor supply, which in turn increases the chance of raincloud formation, especially in coastal regions,” the BMKG report read, as quoted by Tempo on Friday, September 13.

Meanwhile, BMKG reported that the Indonesian south faces drier weather due to the lack of raincloud formation. The southern regions include Java, East Nusa Tenggara, and Kalimantan. 

The dry weather is mainly caused by Tropical Cyclone Bebinca, which draws air masses to the center of its system, reducing water vapor in Kalimantan and lowering the chance for rainfall.

“Overall, Indonesia’s weather currently shows quite extreme variations between regions, reflecting the complex influence of global and regional atmospheric dynamics,” the report said.

BMKG said wind speed of over 25 knots is monitored in the Indian Ocean southwest of Banten, the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the Pacific Ocean north of Papua. The wind speed, according to BMKG, "can cause high waves in these regions’ waters.” 

BMKG’s Early Warning

In its most recent report, BMKG released an early warning for the upcoming week. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings are released for 12 provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Central Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua, and South Papua.

The weather agency also warns of potential strong winds in Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, Banten, West Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan. Strong winds also have the potential to occur in West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Maluku, Maluku, and South Papua.

BMKG advises Indonesian citizens to remain calm but alert to the potential for hydrometeorological disasters that can occur at any time. The public is also advised to recognize the potential for disasters and to start reducing the risk.

Especially in areas with steep, mountainous, and cliff topography or landslide-prone and flood-prone areas, BMKG warns residents to stay alert about the impact of such extreme weather. "Such as floods, flash floods, landslides, slippery roads, uprooted trees, and reduced visibility."

AGOENG WIJAYA

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