As temperatures continue to rise across Indonesia, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a caution to the public regarding the potential for extreme weather, particularly hailstorms, during the current wet dry season in South Kalimantan.
“Even though we are in the dry season, it does not mean there won’t be any rain. We urge the public to stay alert and prepare for extreme weather phenomena like hailstorms, short bursts of heavy rain with lightning/thunder, strong winds, and tornadoes,” stated Adhitya Prakoso, a forecaster at the Syamsudin Noor Class II Meteorological Station BMKG Kalsel in Banjarbaru, on Thursday (11/7/2024).
He explained that Indonesia’s geographical position in the tropics and its archipelagic nature, surrounded by oceans, provide a plentiful supply of water vapor, the raw material for rain clouds. Consequently, local rain events can occur easily at any time, irrespective of the season.
“Although some parts of Kalsel are experiencing the dry season, this does not always signify dry and hot weather conditions. Indonesia’s climate variability is influenced by many factors beyond just seasonal changes,” Adhitya elaborated.
He highlighted several factors contributing to this variability, including global phenomena like El Nino and La Nina, regional influences such as the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) and warm sea surface temperatures around Indonesia, and local factors like land-sea breezes.
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In explaining the unexpected rain in Kalsel during the dry season, Adhitya noted that significant regional atmospheric dynamics have been observed recently.
“Recent atmospheric dynamics include the activity of the MJO, equatorial Rossby waves, and Kelvin waves, which are propagating around the Kalimantan region,” he said.
The MJO phenomenon, he explained, is an atmospheric dynamic that occurs in the tropics, involving the movement of rain cloud systems along the equator from the Indian Ocean east of Africa to the Pacific Ocean, passing through the Indonesian Maritime Continent.
“This phenomenon is temporal and recurs every 30 to 60 days along the equator,” Adhitya added.
The BMKG’s warning comes as part of a broader message to the public to understand that dry seasons in Indonesia do not necessarily equate to constant dry and hot weather. The diverse climate is subject to multiple influencing factors that can lead to significant weather events even during traditionally dry periods.
“Given Indonesia’s climatic diversity, it is important to recognize the various global, regional, and local factors that contribute to weather patterns. Continuous vigilance and preparedness are key to managing the impacts of these phenomena,” Adhitya emphasized.
This alert of hailstorms underscores the need for the public, especially those in South Kalimantan, to be aware of and prepare for extreme weather events, even in the dry season. It is a reminder of the complexity of Indonesia’s weather systems and the importance of staying informed and ready to respond to changing weather conditions.
