The scorching sun has turned Bali into a heat trap. In areas like Denpasar and Badung, the heat feels harsher than usual, leaving many wondering why the weather has been so extreme. According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Denpasar Region III, three key factors are behind this intense heatwave.
Forecaster I Wayan Wirata explained that the first cause is the current position of the sun. “The sun’s apparent position is now at its optimal point. It has moved slightly south of the equator, causing central and southern Indonesia to receive very intense sunlight,” he said, quoted from detikBali on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The second factor, Wirata continued, is the presence of dry air brought by winds from Australia. “This dry air makes it difficult for clouds to form, so the sun’s heat feels much stronger on the surface,” he added.
The lack of cloud cover is the third reason. Although parts of Bali have started to experience rainfall, many areas still lack significant cloud formation. Wirata said this condition allows direct sunlight to hit the Earth’s surface without obstruction. As a result, the temperature feels far hotter, particularly during midday.
But Bali is not alone in facing this extreme heat. Data from BMKG shows that almost all regions of Indonesia have recorded higher-than-normal temperatures this year. The national average temperature in 2025 reached 26.9°C in September, slightly above the 26.6°C average recorded during the same month between 1991 and 2020.
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This rise in temperature is expected to continue until early November 2025. BMKG warns that maximum temperatures could climb to 37.6°C. The phenomenon is driven by the sun’s apparent movement south of the equator combined with stronger easterly winds, known as the Australian monsoon. These winds carry hot and dry air, reducing cloud formation and allowing sunlight to reach the surface more directly.
“This position causes central and southern regions of Indonesia, such as Java, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, and Papua, to receive stronger sunlight, making the weather feel hotter in many parts of the country,” said BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto on Wednesday, October 15.
With cloud cover remaining thin and dry winds dominating, Indonesia’s skies are offering little relief from the relentless heat. And as the sun continues its southern journey, the days ahead are likely to stay just as sweltering.
