Haze Information

Latest Weather and Haze Situation

Dry conditions were observed over most parts of the northern ASEAN region today. Clusters of widespread hotspots were detected in the eastern parts of Myanmar, the central parts of Lao PDR while isolated to scattered hotspots were detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub- region. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed in most parts of Myanmar as well as the northern parts of Thailand. Moderate smoke plumes from the central parts of Thailand were observed to blow westwards into the southern parts of Myanmar. Moderate smoke plumes from the central parts of Lao PDR were observed to drift westwards into the eastern parts of Thailand. A localised slight smoke plume was observed in the northern parts of the Philippines. The hotspot and smoke haze situation could not be fully determined due to extensive cloud cover over the northeastern parts of the Mekong sub- region.

For the southern ASEAN region, scattered showers were observed except for drier conditions observed over parts of Peninsular Malaysia and the central parts of Sumatra. A few hotspots were detected in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Sulawesi and the central parts of Sumatra. No significant smoke plumes were observed from recent satellite imagery.

Updated 5:22 PM 10 Mar

Weather and Haze Outlook

In the coming days, dry conditions are forecast to continue over many parts of the Mekong sub-region except for showers forecast over parts of Viet Nam, the eastern parts of Myanmar as well as the northern and southern parts of Thailand. Showers can provide some relief to the current situation, however prolonged drier conditions in other areas of the Mekong sub-region can still lead to elevated hotspot and smoke haze activates with a risk of transboundary haze occurrence. The prevailing winds over the northern ASEAN region are forecast to blow mainly from the northeast to east with the exception of the prevailing winds over Myanmar forecast to blow from the southwest.

For the southern ASEAN region, isolated showers are forecast to continue with the exception of relatively drier conditions over parts of Peninsular Malaysia, the central parts of Sumatra and the southwestern parts of Kalimantan. The hotspot and smoke haze situation over the southern ASEAN region is forecast to remain mostly subdued, however isolated hotspots and localised smoke plumes may still emerge in these drier areas. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are forecast to blow from the west or northwest while the prevailing winds over Peninsular Malaysia and the northern parts of Borneo are forecast to blow from the northeast.

Updated 5:22 PM 10 Mar