BMKG: Beware of thunderstorms in North Sumatra tomorrow

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned the public to be alert to the potential for light to moderate intensity rainfall in several areas of North Sumatra, which may be accompanied by lightning on Thursday (24/9).

“People located in the western slopes, eastern coasts, and mountainous regions of North Sumatra are requested to be wary of the potential for moderate rain accompanied by lightning, as it has the potential to trigger hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides,” said BMKG Region I Forecaster Lestari Irene Purba in Medan on Wednesday.

In general, the weather in North Sumatra on Thursday (24/9) morning is forecast to be cloudy, with the potential for light rain in the Deli Serdang, Karo, Binjai, Medan, Langkat, Serdang Bedagai, and Simalungun regions, she added.

From midday to the afternoon, the weather is also predicted to bring light to moderate rain across various parts of North Sumatra.

During the night, light to moderate rain is still likely to occur, particularly in Deli Serdang, Karo, and Langkat. In the early hours of the morning, the weather is forecast to be cloudy with the potential for light rain in parts of North Sumatra.

Air temperatures in North Sumatra are expected to range between 15 and 33 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels between 60 and 99 per cent. Winds are expected to blow from the south to the northwest at speeds of 5 to 20 kilometres per hour.

The wind pattern north of the Indonesian equator generally blows from the southeast to the southwest at speeds of 6 - 20 knots, while south of the Indonesian equator, winds blow from the east to the southeast at speeds of 8 - 25 knots.

Sea waves reaching heights of 1.25 to 2.5 metres are possible in the western waters of North Sumatra, the eastern waters of the Nias Islands, the western waters of the Nias Islands, the Batu Islands waters, the western waters of the Batu Islands, and the Indian Ocean west of the Nias Islands.