Australian Monsoon Brings Cooler Temperatures to West Nusa Tenggara
Mataram (ANTARA) - Residents of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have experienced cooler temperatures during the night and early morning over recent days due to the Australian monsoon winds bringing cooler air to the southern equatorial region.
“The wind patterns in NTB have entered the Australian monsoon, which brings dry air masses, supporting these weather conditions,” said Head of Zainuddin Abdul Madjid (ZAM) Meteorological Station Satria Topan Primadi in a statement from Mataram on Sunday.
The Australian monsoon blows from east to west, from the high-pressure system over Australia towards the low-pressure system over Asia.
This periodic wind shift typically becomes active and strengthens from June to September. When the Australian monsoon blows towards Asia, the equatorial region experiences the dry season.
The Australian monsoon carries air with low moisture content, drastically reducing cloud formation and rainfall.
However, some areas such as the foothills of Mount Rinjani and Mount Tambora have temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius, with the peaks reaching 8 degrees Celsius.
On 31 May 2026, BMKG forecasts temperatures in West Nusa Tenggara to range between 18 and 32 degrees Celsius.
Satria noted other factors contributing to the cooler temperatures, not just the Australian monsoon, but also minimal cloud cover during the day and evening.
He explained that the absence of clouds covering the land accelerates heat release from solar radiation, causing surface temperatures to drop sharply and feel colder in the early morning hours.
He further stated that humidity is another factor affecting temperature drops, as dry air prevents heat stored on the Earth’s surface from lasting long after sunset.
This allows cooler air from the upper atmosphere to descend to the surface. Cool air is a characteristic of the annual dry season.
From 31 May to 1 June 2026, BMKG forecasts humidity in West Nusa Tenggara to range between 50 and 98 percent, with winds blowing from east to south at a maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour.