THE start of the Year of the Water Rabbit was not as sunny and humid as one would expect because this year, it was cooler and, in some areas, it rained.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) did mention last week that it anticipates the monsoon surge to begin on Jan 21.
In the past, it had been warm, sunny, and humid during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period. But today, Malaysians are bracing for extreme weather, heavy rain, and flooding.
MetMalaysia reported that continuous rainfall is possible over certain states, including Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
Moreover, MetMalaysia director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah in a statement last week said the department had issued a continuous rain warning for the states for the CNY weekend.
“Meanwhile, thunderstorms and heavy rain with strong winds are also expected to occur in the interior and west of the peninsula, central and western Sarawak and western Sabah in the afternoon and early evening during the forecast period.
“Strong winds and rough sea warnings had been issued over the South China Sea until Jan 23.”
This weather is in contrast to that of 2019, when it was reported that many things had changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but not the blazing hot days in Peninsular Malaysia.
It was reported that the first two weeks of February saw a continuation of the dry weather from the previous two weeks. The CNY fell on Feb 5, 2019.
In general, the nation saw good weather on Feb 12 and 13, though there were some scattered showers and thunderstorms in the evening or night in a few areas. — Jan 23, 2023
Main photo credit: MetMalaysia
