Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Despite predictions of the approaching rainy season, temperatures across Java Island have remained unseasonably hot in recent days. Several regions in Java have experienced a noticeable temperature rise, with some areas seeing daytime highs exceeding 33°C.
Social media users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have expressed their frustration over the sweltering heat affecting various regions, including the Special Region of Yogyakarta. In Yogyakarta, the midday sun has felt particularly intense over the past few days, sparking widespread complaints online.
Andri Ramdhani, Head of Public Meteorology at Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), explained that much of Indonesia, especially Java and Nusa Tenggara including Greater Jakarta, has been experiencing predominantly clear weather with minimal cloud cover, especially during the daytime.
“This lack of significant cloud formation allows the sun’s rays to reach the earth’s surface unimpeded, causing daytime temperatures to feel exceptionally hot,” Ramdhani said in a statement to local media.
He further noted that southern Indonesia, including areas south of the equator, is still in the dry season, with other regions transitioning into the rainy season, which is expected to begin in October and November. “As a result, clear skies continue to dominate the daytime weather,” Ramdhani added.
“One hallmark of this transition period is the occurrence of sporadic, localized rains in the late afternoon or evening, often following a hot and sunny morning or midday,” he explained. “However, these rains are typically short-lived and scattered.”
Additionally, recent solar phenomena have contributed to the persisting hot temperatures across Java. In recent weeks, the sun has been positioned closer to the equator, resulting in higher levels of solar radiation. This increased sunlight intensity has led to a noticeable spike in air temperatures across the region.
Upcoming Rainy Season
BMKG has predicted that the start of the rainy season in Indonesia in 2024 will not be uniform across the country. While a few regions began experiencing rainfall as early as August, the majority of areas are expected to see rain by October or November.
“Most of Indonesia will enter the rainy season between October and November 2024,” BMKG stated on its official website.
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The peak of the rainy season is anticipated to occur between November and December 2024 for western Indonesia, and between January and February 2025 for the eastern part of the country. This year’s rainy season is expected to arrive slightly earlier or on time compared to the historical average.
The duration of the rainy season will vary significantly across different regions, ranging from two months to nearly a year in some places. Overall, the 2024/2025 rainy season is predicted to last longer than average in many parts of Indonesia.
(Raidi/Agung)
