BANGKOK: Some areas of northern Thailand are set to experience thunderstorms followed by a significant temperature drop, as reported by the Meteorological Department. The new cold air mass affecting the northern and central regions will result in thunderstorms and strong winds initially, with temperatures expected to decline by 2-4 degrees Celsius. The weather will subsequently become cool and windy. According to Thai News Agency, the Meteorological Department forecasts that a high-pressure area or a moderate to strong cold air mass from China has spread to cover several regions, including the Northeast, East, Central, and parts of the North. This weather pattern is anticipated to extend to the lower Central and upper Southern regions in sequence. Thunderstorms and strong winds are expected initially, followed by cooler temperatures. The North and Northeast will see a temperature drop of 2-4 degrees Celsius, while the Central region, including Bangkok, the East, and the upper Southern region will experience a decrease of 1-3 degrees Celsius. Residents are advised to take precautions for their health due to the changing weather. The northeasterly and northwesterly winds across the Andaman Sea, South, and Gulf of Thailand are leading to heavy rain in some southern areas, posing risks from heavy rain. Sea waves are expected to reach approximately 1 meter, with areas experiencing thunderstorms seeing waves higher than 2 meters. Sailors are cautioned to navigate carefully and avoid regions with thunderstorms. The weather forecast for Thailand from 6:00 AM today to 6:00 AM tomorrow indicates cool morning conditions in the upper Northern region with a 20 percent chance of rain, notably in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Phichit, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. The Northeastern region will have cool mornings with temperatures dropping by 1-3 degrees Celsius and strong winds, with a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms in Nakhon Ratchasima and Buriram provinces. In the Central region, thunderstorms are expected in 30 perce nt of the area, particularly in Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon provinces. The Eastern region will also experience thunderstorms in 30 percent of the area, especially in Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. The Southern Region (East Coast) is forecasted to have thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in certain areas, while the Southern region (West Coast) will have thunderstorms in 40 percent of the area, mainly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Trang, and Satun provinces. Bangkok and its vicinity are expected to have a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging from 25-26 degrees Celsius for the minimum and 33-35 degrees Celsius for the maximum.
