BMKG Explains Cause of 2-Degree Rise in Minimum Temperatures in NTB

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) has revealed that average minimum temperatures have risen by two degrees Celsius over the last two days, making the air from night to morning feel warmer in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) region.

“The average minimum temperature in the last two days was recorded at approximately 20.5 degrees Celsius, higher than the lowest minimum temperature which had previously reached 18.5 degrees Celsius in the preceding period,” said Ari Wibianto, Head of the Observation, Data, and Information Working Group at the Zainuddin Abdul Madjid (ZAM) Meteorological Station, in Mataram on Tuesday.

Ari stated that the return to more normal temperatures in recent days is influenced by various factors, including the weakening of the Australian Monsoon winds. The Australian Monsoon blows from east to west, moving from high-pressure Australia towards low-pressure Asia, bringing cold and dry air masses to the NTB region. “In recent days, wind speeds have tended to weaken, thereby reducing the influence of cold air masses from Australia,” Ari explained.

Furthermore, he revealed that atmospheric conditions are indicated to be more humid compared to several weeks ago. This condition supports increased cloud growth, although not as extensively as during the rainy season. The presence of clouds and increased humidity causes heat release at night to be less effective than during clear sky conditions, resulting in higher air temperatures.

BMKG estimates that these relatively warmer temperature conditions could persist for the next few days, provided the Australian Monsoon does not strengthen again and air humidity remains at a sufficiently high level.

BMKG also explained that the causes of cold weather during the night and morning typically involve three factors: minimal cloud cover during the day or afternoon, which allows heat to escape rapidly into the atmosphere at night; low humidity, which prevents the earth’s surface from retaining heat after sunset; and the movement of winds in the NTB region entering the Australian Monsoon, which brings dry air masses.