The cold weather experienced in several areas in Peninsular Malaysia is a temporary phenomenon. However, it can recur if northeast monsoon winds from Siberia and China blow towards the peninsula.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Alui Bahari said the weather in the East Coast states, interior of Kedah and northern Perak had returned to normal from Feb 12, with daily minimum temperature readings of 20ºc and upwards at the meteorological stations.
He said the cold weather phenomenon might recur in February next year if there were cold northeast monsoon wind movements from China, and the sky was cloudless at night.
“Climatologically, February is a period with the lowest daily minimum temperatures compared to other months for states in the East Coast, the interior of Kedah and northern Perak,” he told Bernama on Saturday.
He was commenting on media reports recently that Kuala Krai had on Feb 11 recorded a low temperature of 18.4ºc.
Alui said the cold weather between Feb 9 an Feb 11 in Kelantan was also felt in Terengganu and Pahang as well as in the interior of Kedah and in northern Perak.
Meanwhile, Alui said MetMalaysia from time to time issued warnings in the event of thick fog due to cold weather and turbulent seas rendering it unsafe for sea and air transport.
“The information will be channelled to the public and related parties, including the Department of Civil Aviation, the Fisheries Department of Malaysia, the Marine Department of Malaysia and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency,” he said.
On the possible recurrence of Cyclone Tembin that hit the Philippines in December last year and its impact on Sabah, Alui said at present there was a tropical cyclone, the Sanba Tropical Storm, affecting southeast Philippines.
He said MetMalaysia would issue weather warnings from time to time for Sabah if heavy rains and strong winds were expected to occur. – Bernama
