PENANG: Extreme cold weather is expected to hit the northern hemisphere, causing a drop in temperatures in most parts of the region, including some parts of Malaysia next month, Guang Ming Dailyreported.
According to the report, Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) was quoted as saying that the temperatures in some parts of the east coast and northern regions of peninsular Malaysia may have to brace the cold as temperatures are expected to drop as low as 20 degrees Celsius.
It was also reported that the temperatures in some parts of peninsular Malaysia could drop as low as 16 degrees Celsius.
Many parts of the east coast, northern and central regions are experiencing cold weather due to the wind, as predicted by MET Malaysia, with temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, which is similar to the weather in Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.
MET Malaysia director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail was quoted as saying that Malaysia had experienced the same phenomenon during the northeast monsoon season earlier as the temperatures dropped across the country.
"Last year, the temperature dropped to as low as 16 degrees Celsius in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. We expect the same this year," the daily reported her as saying.
Datuk Che Gayah said although the El Nino phenomenon is expected to persist across the country till March, a sudden drop in temperature is expected in some of the east coast and northern regions, like Kuantan, Kuala Krai, Perlis, Kedah and Penang, among others.
"More areas in the peninsular will experience lower temperatures if the cold wind is strong and long-lasting," she warned, adding that the accuracy or reliability of the weather forecasts are not guaranteed because they can only predict the weather (more accurately) within one to two weeks time.
However, she had also noted that the El Nino phenomenon leads to more pronounced weather like heavy downpours followed by scorching heat, Bernama reports on 29 January.
She said the weather in the month of December is usually more humid but monsoon activities bringing cold surges from China and Siberia have lessened, resulting in reduced rainfall in the country.
“The condition results in a drop in rainfall of between 20 and 60 per cent for most areas in the country rendering the weather hot and dry with temperatures rising by 0.5 to 2.0 degree Celsius,” she said.
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