BMKG Urges Tourists to Brace for Freezing Temperatures in Dieng During Dry Season

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has urged tourists planning to visit the Dieng Plateau in Wonosobo, Central Java, between July and September to be vigilant regarding a significant drop in temperature that can cause frost, known locally as ‘embun upas’. Yoga Sambodo, Head of the BMKG Meteorological Station in Semarang, advised visitors to prepare appropriate clothing such as thick jackets, gloves, and socks to adapt to the local conditions. He noted that temperatures in the Dieng region during this period can fall below zero degrees Celsius. Sambodo explained that the phenomenon of ice granules forming on the surface is climatologically influenced by higher air pressure over the Australian continent compared to Asia during June to September. The winds blowing from Australia towards Asia, passing through Indonesia, generally mark the beginning of the dry season alongside the active Australian monsoon. During the dry season, cloud cover is minimal, leading to intense daytime heat as there are no objects in the sky to block the sun’s rays. Conversely, at night, the radiation emitted back by the earth’s surface is also optimal because the sky is free of cloud cover. He added that high humidity in mountainous and highland regions indicates a high water content in the air, which contributes to the frost formation. The BMKG predicts that the ‘embun upas’ phenomenon will reach its peak in August.