BMKG Warns of Potential Extreme Weather During Seasonal Transition Period

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned the public of potential extreme weather and its effects during the beginning of this year’s seasonal transition period.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant and beware of potential extreme weather (whirlwinds, heavy rainfall with lightning / thunders, hailstorms, etc.) and the impacts it can bring including floods, landslides, flashfloods, puddles, fallen trees, and slippery roads,” said BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto in a written statement, Thursday (11/03).

Guswanto added that most regions in Indonesia will see the period of transition from rainy season to dry season at the end of March.

According to BMKG, one of the general weather characteristics in the seasonal transition period is the relatively quick change of weather, adding that from morning until afternoon, it is generally sunny-cloudy with quite scorching heat, followed with a significant cloud formation and a high-intensity rain in a short duration that generally may occur in the afternoon.

“During the seasonal transition period, we must be vigilant of several extreme weather phenomena, including heavy rainfall in a short duration that may occur with lightning/thunders and strong winds, whirlwinds, waterspouts, and hailstorms,” Guswanto added.

Guswanto further stated that hailstorm is common in the seasonal transition period as it is caused by the conductivity pattern of air masses in a local-regional scale, which is more significant in the seasonal transition period.

The agency also predicted that in the following week, atmospheric dynamics may contribute quite significantly to the formation of rain clouds in Indonesia.

“Given the condition, BMKG forecasts that in the next week, there will be high-intensity rain with potential lightning/thunders and strong winds,” Guswanto said, adding that the weather is likely to hit the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, North Maluku, West Papua, and Papua.

For the record, BMKG provides a 24-hour information service on https://www.bmkg.co.id, on @infoBMKG on Instagram and Twitter, on “Info BMKG” iOS and Android applications, at and the nearest BMKG office. (PR of BMKG/UN) (DH/EP)