The recent hot and humid weather in several areas, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), has been caused by a combination of factors, according to Guswanto, the Deputy for Meteorology at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
One of the factors is the position of the sun directly above Indonesia due to the equinox phenomenon. “Currently, on March 20, 2023, the apparent position of the sun is around the equator (0 degrees), which has an impact on the amount of sunlight that reaches Indonesia,” Guswanto explained on Friday (24/3).
The equinox phenomenon occurs when the sun crosses the equator, which happened in Indonesia on March 21. This event causes the duration of day and night to be the same length all over the world, with the sun rising directly in the east and setting in the west.
The equinox indirectly increases the temperature since the amount of solar radiation is proportional to the surface temperature of the earth.
However, there are other factors besides the astronomical ones that affect the weather. According to Andi Pangerang, a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), “This is just one of the factors that affect it. Other factors outside of astronomical factors must be considered.”
The culmination effect, in which the sun is directly overhead, is another effect of the equinox. This phenomenon causes a day without shadows, and at least 11 cities in Indonesia have experienced it in March and April.
Guswanto also noted that the second factor causing the hot and humid weather is the mostly clear to cloudy weather conditions in the morning until noon.
“This means that the obstructive conditions that can block the sunlight are relatively low,” he said. Moreover, during the month of Ramadan, most areas in Indonesia enter the transitional period, which can further increase the temperature during the day.
The third factor is the humidity level, which is relatively low in Jabodetabek, ranging from 70-80%. “With these two conditions, it can have an impact on the relatively hot conditions in southern equatorial Indonesia, especially during midday,” explained Guswanto.
Overall, these factors have caused the hot and humid weather in several areas of Indonesia, which can be uncomfortable for the residents and require appropriate measures to avoid heat-related health issues.
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