Haze Information

Latest Weather and Haze Situation

The northern ASEAN region was dry and cloudy today, except over the southern parts of the Mekong sub-region and the southern Philippines where isolated showers were observed. Clusters of widespread hotspots were detected mainly in the eastern parts of Myanmar, while isolated to scattered hotspots were detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed over many areas of Myanmar, the northern parts of Thailand and the northern parts of Lao PDR. Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed drifting eastwards from eastern Myanmar into northern Thailand and northern Lao PDR. Slight to moderate smoke plumes were observed emanating from isolated hotspots in the central parts of Thailand and the southern parts of Lao PDR. Many air quality stations in the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region reported Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy levels. The hotspot and smoke haze situation over the southern and eastern parts of the Mekong sub-region could not be fully determined due to extensive cloud cover.

Wet weather was observed over the southern ASEAN region, except over Peninsular Malaysia where it was relatively drier. The overall hotspot and smoke haze situation remained subdued and no significant smoke plumes were observed from satellite imagery.

Updated 5:16 PM 17 Mar

Weather and Haze Outlook

In the coming days, dry weather is expected to persist over the Mekong sub-region, except over parts of southern, central and eastern sub-region where isolated showers are forecast. The elevated hotspot and smoke haze activities are still likely to continue over drier areas of the Mekong sub-region, with an increased risk of transboundary haze occurrence. The prevailing winds over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region are expected to blow from the south or west while the prevailing winds over the rest of the northern ASEAN region are forecast to blow from the northeast or east.

The southern ASEAN region is likely to remain wet, apart from the northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia where it is expected to be relatively drier. The overall hotspot and smoke haze situation should remain subdued. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are forecast to blow from the west or north.

Updated 5:16 PM 17 Mar