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1. Review of Regional Weather Conditions in June 2010

1.1      Weak to moderate Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed in the region in June 2010. The intensification of the sub-tropical high pressure system in the southern hemisphere gave rise to south-easterly to south-westerly winds over the equatorial region. During the review period, typical weather patterns such as the northward migration of the monsoon rain belt associated with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the presence of tropical storms in the Western Pacific Ocean were not evident. These could have accounted for the rainfall patterns experienced in the ASEAN region for June 2010.

1.2      In the northern ASEAN region, the convergence of westerly winds over the Bay of Bengal brought increased shower activities to many parts of Myanmar. Drier than normal weather conditions affected many parts of the region during the month. This could be attributed to the absence of the monsoon rain belt which typically prevails over the region during this time of the year. The delayed onset of the typhoon season, which can influence the rainfall patterns over the region could have further contributed to the dry weather.

1.3      In the southern ASEAN region, the persistent presence of the monsoon rain belt associated with the ITCZ over the region brought frequent shower activities to many parts of southern ASEAN. This has delayed the onset of the traditional dry season normally associated with the Southwest Monsoon.

1.4      Rainfall was above normal for most parts of the southern ASEAN region except for the north-eastern coastal areas of Peninsula Malaysia. Most of the northern ASEAN region except for Myanmar and parts of Thailand and the Philippines received below normal rainfall. Rainfall for June 2010 is shown in Fig.1.

Fig 1. Percentage of Normal Rainfall for June 2010

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