PRESS RELEASE 22ND NATIONAL WEATHER BRIEFING NORTHEAST MONSOON IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

04 Dec 2023

Monday, 4th December 2023 – The Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD), Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, conducted the 22nd National Weather Briefing at the Auditorium Hall of the Information Department and was attended by 74 representatives from government agencies, the private sectors and the general public. The National Weather Briefing was presented by Awang Mohammad Affindi bin Haji Sabli, Acting Chief Meteorological Officer of Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department.

The National Weather Briefing focused on the weather condition, climate and future outlook of the Northeast Monsoon that begins in early December 2023 and is expected to persist until March 2024.

The first two months of Northeast Monsoon (December 2023 and January 2024), also known as the rainy season, are the months that normally receive the highest amount of rainfall and have recorded the highest number of rain days, in comparison to the other months. During this period, the country normally experiences unsettled weather conditions with occasional heavy showers or thundershowers especially during the night until early morning. Whereas, during the second half of Northeast Monsoon (February and March 2024), the atmospheric conditions tend to be more stable with lesser rainfall activities.

Based on climatological data, below are the average rainfall amount and rain days for the period of December 2023 until February 2024 along with the seasonal outlook shared during the briefing:

Other than that, this National Weather Briefing also discussed about El Niño conditions which are currently observed over our region which was presented by Dayang Zulfah Zuhairah binti Abdul Rani, Research and Development Officer of Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department.

Brunei Darussalam is expected to experience suppressed rainfall activity and rainfall amount with increased air temperature. Hotter and drier weather conditions are likely to happen during the peak of the El Niño event around early 2024, especially in February and March 2024, which are the two driest months for Brunei Darussalam, in comparison to the other months.

In light of this, members of the public are advised to take precautionary actions and appropriate measures in dealing with the impacts that relate to the active weather condition forecasted during this rainy season, as well as, during the drier weather condition forecasted in February and March 2024. Public, road users and mariners are advised to always be up to date with the latest weather forecast, advisory and warning issued by Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department, and to make any necessary planning to ensure safety.

We shall continue to monitor the weather conditions and will issue weather advisories or warnings if necessary. Latest weather information, advisories and warnings can be accessed easily through our mobile app, Brunei WX, as these weather information, advisories and warnings can be received immediately after they are issued. Latest weather information can also be obtained by contacting the duty meteorological forecaster at our Forecast Centre, through our Weather Line 114, by visiting our website at www.met.gov.bn or follow our Facebook (@bruneiweather) and Instagram (@bruneiweather).

Wallahu a’lam Bissawab.

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National Weather Briefing Background:
The National Weather Briefing is one of the Department’s initiatives to invoke engagement with different user groups such as those from First and Safety Responders, Economic and Industry groups, Construction Companies, Insurance Companies, Small and Medium Enterprises and as well as from the Mass Media. The ultimate goal of the National Weather Briefing is to increase the understanding and awareness of various user groups and the public towards the current weather conditions of Brunei Darussalam. This briefing as well will be able to facilitate the preparedness of user groups and the public in the planning and take any preliminary actions in the event of any weather condition.