BMKG warns of rain and strong winds in North Sumatra tomorrow

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reminded the public to be alert to the potential for moderate-intensity rain accompanied by strong winds in a number of areas of North Sumatra on Thursday (20/8).

Forecaster Lestari Irine Purba of BBMKG Region I in Medan said on Wednesday that people in the east coast, mountainous and eastern slope areas of North Sumatra are advised to increase their vigilance against potential moderate rain that may be accompanied by lightning and strong winds.

These conditions, she said, have the potential to trigger hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides, especially in areas that are vulnerable to disasters.

In general, the weather in North Sumatra on Thursday (20/8) morning is expected to be mostly cloudy.

At night, light rain is forecast across almost all of North Sumatra, and in the early hours light rain is forecast in Deli Serdang, Binjai, Langkat and Medan.

BMKG forecasts air temperatures in North Sumatra to range from 15 to 33 degrees Celsius with humidity of 60 to 100 percent. Winds will blow from the south to northeast at speeds of 4 to 15 kilometres per hour.

Lestari said most areas of North Sumatra still have the potential to be hit by moderate to heavy rain over the coming week, due to wind deflection and wind convergence around the East Coast of North Sumatra as well as warm sea surface temperature anomalies.

Weather conditions are generally sunny and cloudy from morning to midday, which triggers optimal surface heating, she said, creating atmospheric instability and supporting the growth of convective clouds.

These conditions have the potential to trigger moderate to very heavy rain, accompanied by lightning and short-duration strong winds in a number of areas from afternoon to evening.