Latest Weather and Haze Situation

The Mekong sub-region remained dry today, except for showers observed over the southeastern parts of the sub-region. Clusters of widespread hotspots were observed in Lao PDR, while isolated to scattered hotspots were detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region. Moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze was observed to emanate from hotspot clusters and drift eastwards from eastern Myanmar into northern Thailand and northern Lao PDR, from northern Thailand into northern Lao PDR and from northern and southern Lao PDR into Viet Nam. Moderate smoke plumes were observed emanating from isolated hotspots over large parts of Myanmar, western Thailand, northern and western Cambodia, as well as central Viet Nam. Many air quality stations in the northern and eastern parts of the Mekong sub-region reported Unhealthy levels, with some stations reporting Very Unhealthy levels. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation over the northern and southeastern parts of the Mekong sub-region cannot be determined due to cloud cover.

Showers prevailed over the southern ASEAN region today, apart from parts of eastern Kalimantan where it was relatively drier. Few hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia, eastern Kalimantan and Sabah. Localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots detected in eastern Kalimantan.
Updated on 5:16 PM 26 April

Weather and Haze Outlook

The northern ASEAN region is forecast to remain dry in the coming days, except for southern Philippines where some showers are likely. The elevated hotspots and transboundary haze situation is expected to continue in the region. The prevailing winds over areas north of the Equator are forecast to blow mostly from the southeast to southwest.

Shower activities are expected over the southern ASEAN region. The overall hotspot and smoke haze situation is likely to remain subdued, though few to isolated hotspots with localized smoke plumes may still occur in drier areas. The prevailing winds over areas south of the Equator are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast.
Updated on 5:16 PM 26 April