4.1 The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are likely to persist over August and September 2010. During this period, the current rainy season in the northern ASEAN region is expected to help keep the hotspot activities subdued until the onset of drier weather in the later part of the year. 4.2 The southern ASEAN region is expected to become progressively drier with the onset of the dry season in August 2010. With La Niña event in place for the coming months, rainfall is expected to be normal to above normal in most parts of the region. Notwithstanding the La Niña event, the occurrence of extended dry periods is still possible during the dry season. An increase in hotspot activities accompanied by smoke haze can be expected in the fire-prone areas of Sumatra and Borneo, particularly during extended periods of dry weather. Vigilance should therefore be stepped up for any escalation in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas in the coming months. 4.3 Rainfall is forecast to be normal to above normal in most parts of the ASEAN region for the next three months (Fig 10 to Fig 12). Nonetheless, slightly below normal rainfall is still possible in some parts of the region such as Sabah in August 2010 (Fig 10).
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