Yogyakarta's hot weather is still at normal levels

The hot weather that has recently hit Yogyakarta is not due to any particular anomaly, but rather the influence of normal seasonal patterns.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A child plays in the shower during sweltering hot weather at Taman Pintar, Yogyakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024).

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Special Region of Yogyakarta is entering the dry season marked by an increase in daytime temperatures. However, the current temperature is said to still be within normal levels. Nevertheless, the temperature can still increase until the peak of the dry season in October.

The Meteorology Station forecaster of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Yogyakarta, Romadi, said on Monday (5/6/2024) that DIY has entered the dry season in early May. This year's dry season is delayed by 10-20 days from normal patterns, due in part to the influence of El Nino.

Romadi explained that in the past few days, the Yogyakarta BMKG recorded a maximum temperature of 32-34 degrees Celsius in DIY. Although the air feels hot, he said that temperature is still within the normal range for DIY.

"Each region indeed has different maximum temperatures. For DIY, the temperature is categorized as extreme if it is above 35 degrees Celsius. For Jakarta, the temperature is considered extreme if it is above 37 degrees Celsius," said Romadi.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A satay seller protects his head with a cloth during the scorching hot weather in Kraton District, Yogyakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024).

He explained that the increase in temperature during the daytime is not due to weather anomalies, but rather caused by the dry humidity of the atmosphere layer. This condition leads to no cloud growth in the morning until noon, resulting in unobstructed sunlight reaching the surface of the earth.

Romadi also said that as we enter the dry season, the maximum temperature in DIY will also increase and could reach 35 degrees Celsius. Conversely, at night, the temperature can drop to an average of 22 degrees Celsius.

See also: Scorching Hot Weather in Yogyakarta

"The temperature increase is predicted to occur in August-September and the peak of the dry season is predicted to be in October," said Romadi.

Even though it has entered the dry season, he added that the potential for short-duration rain in DIY still exists. "It is still possible for rain to fall until the end of May," he said.

The Head of the Emergency Response Division of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in Yogyakarta, Lilik Andi Aryanto, stated that they are anticipating the potential disasters in line with the seasonal transition. The two most frequent disasters that occur in Yogyakarta during the dry season are drought and fire.

Lilik explained that last year, several areas in four regencies in DIY experienced drought. The four regencies are Sleman, Bantul, Kulon Progo, and Gunungkidul.

Also read: Prepare for Record Heat in 2024

Several districts have also prepared clean water assistance in case of another drought. "However, based on the forecast presented by the BMKG, this year will be a wet dry season, so hopefully there will be no drought," he said.

Regarding the potential for fires, Lilik referred to the fact that all five districts/cities in DIY have agreements for cooperation in fire handling. Anticipated fire risks include forest and land fires.