Temperatures Drop to -5°C as 'Bedinding' Frost Phenomenon Returns to Dieng Plateau

The Bedinding frost phenomenon has returned to the Dieng Plateau, spanning Wonosobo and Banjarnegara regencies in Central Java, with temperatures dropping to -5 degrees Celsius and causing the highland area to freeze under a layer of frost. Monitoring by Media Indonesia on Monday (13/7) showed hundreds of tourists remaining in the area from the early hours, braving the bone-chilling cold to witness the cotton-white frost blanketing fields, grasslands, and plants. Visitors came prepared with thick jackets, gloves, beanies, and boots. Sri Utami, Head of the Dieng Technical Implementation Unit at the Banjarnegara Culture and Tourism Office, stated that the Bedinding phenomenon has been occurring over the past few days and has become a highly anticipated tourist attraction. Similarly, M. Kristijadi, Acting Head of the Wonosobo Tourism and Culture Office, noted that the phenomenon, ongoing since June, has boosted tourist numbers, with an average of 1,620 tickets sold per day by the end of June. Feri Oktaviana, a forecaster at the BMKG Ahmad Yani Meteorological Station in Semarang, explained that the frost event occurs during the dry season, particularly from June to September, due to temperature drops between night and dawn. The dry season and the active Australian monsoon bring dry, cold air to Indonesia, and clear skies with minimal cloud cover allow optimal back radiation, causing temperatures to fall sharply at night. Oktaviana added that the lowest recorded temperature in the Dieng Plateau during the frost event reached minus 7 degrees Celsius in recent days, though morning temperatures generally range between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. The Bediding phenomenon is felt across much of Central Java during the dry season, but frost only forms in high-altitude areas like Dieng, which sits at 2,000 metres above sea level. Oktaviana expects the phenomenon to continue until September and advised residents in highland areas to wear warm clothing and maintain their health.