Main image via The Star + Rojak Daily
You’re not imagining it; the past couple of weeks have been HOT.
And unfortunately, the heatwave is expected to last from now until mid-September.
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According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the country is currently experiencing the south-west monsoon which results in a hot and dry climate, that is expected to last until the middle of September.
“Based on constant monitoring of heatwaves, until today (July 21), there is no area in the country which has been exposed to any heatwaves,” MetMalaysia shared.
The department’s meteorological stations have yet to record temperatures higher than 35 degrees Celsius for three days in a row, therefore, MetMalaysia is not expecting the temperature to exceed 40 degrees.
The department also shared that the highest temperature ever recorded in Malaysia was 40.1 degrees Celsius and that occurred when the strongest El Nino wave hit the nation in 1998.
Image via mStar
“In terms of weather changes, we can expect heavy downpours, strong winds, and high humidity as a result of Malaysia going into a transitional monsoon, especially in the states located on the west coast and inland of Peninsular Malaysia, west coast of Sabah, and western and central regions of Sarawak,” MetMalaysia noted.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)’s Department of Earth Sciences and Environment head and professor of climatology, Dr Fredolin Tangang, shared that the heatwaves in Malaysia have been associated with climate variability – which is the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and El Nino.
“The MJO is a common phenomenon, occurring once in 20 to 60 days,” he said. “During the Southwest monsoon, it can elevate the temperature by two to three degrees, to around below 40 degrees depending on locality. In fact, we are already experiencing this right now.”
The professor noted that this is not an unusual heatwave, as the MJO is a recurring phenomenon that moderates our wet-dry temperatures.
Image via The Star
Dr Renard Siew, another climatologist, shared that this heatwave is nothing new as it occurs annually with variations.
“Not to mention, the ‘urban heat island effect’ (urbanised areas that experience higher temperatures than rural areas) is also another cause for the rise in temperatures,” he said.
While from a climate change standpoint, it does not have much impact from a global warming perspective, Dr Renard noted that it also causes “inter variability of rainfall” (areas that used to get high volumes of water no longer get as much rain as they used to).
Since this is a regular occurrence, this heatwave may have to be monitored for temperature fluctuations, he added.
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Medical Associate Professor and Public Health Physician Dr Mohd Dzulkhairi Mohd Rani from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, has afvised the public to stay hydrated and avoid exercising during peak heat weather conditions in order to prevent elevating one’s core body temperature and risking additional strain.
“Staying hydrated during exercise is also important to avoid raising the body temperature as well,” he said.
Constant showering is also advisable as it helps to cool the body and reduce body temperature.
“Left untreated, heat exhaustion may evolve into heatstroke, a more severe illness in which the body’s thermoregulation mechanism fails,” he added.
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Be sure to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during these hot times!
Keep drinking plenty of fluids and stay indoors to avoid the heat!
Info via Malay Mail + Malay Mail