Cold air front grips Bali

DENPASAR, Bali: A front of cold air, which has been shrouding Bali this month, may intensify in August, an official said on Tuesday.

"It's likely that August will be cooler than this month," said Damsyik, head of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency overseeing East Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara. He cited the lowest temperature recorded in Bali was 17.4 Celsius centigrade in August 1986.

The cold wind will intensify during night time, Damsyik said.

"Actually, low temperatures in July are a routine phenomenon, with the average between 21 degrees and 22 degrees Celsius. But this year the temperature is lower at 20 degrees Celsius."

The low temperatures for July and August are due to a weather shift in Australia, which enters its winter season. At the same time, a strong wind from Australia was at 35 to 40 knots, causing high air pressure.

The high air pressure later pushes the cool air front to the northern part of the country, including to nearby areas such as Bali, he added. (50/edt)