Northern Thailand Braces for Heavy Monsoon Rains August 19–21
Northern Thailand faces severe monsoon storms August 19–21, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms affecting most of the region, and warnings issued for flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
The Northern Thailand Meteorological Center has issued a weather warning for severe monsoon conditions affecting the northern region from August 18–23, with the heaviest rainfall expected on August 19–21. Director Prasert Purathanang announced the forecast at a Chiang Mai media briefing, noting that thunderstorms will affect 60–80 percent of the northern region, with some areas experiencing continuous heavy rainfall. Temperatures will range from 20–29°C at night to 28–35°C during the day, with southwesterly winds at 10–20 kilometers per hour.
The severe weather is caused by a monsoon trough passing over the northern and upper northeastern regions, combined with a strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Residents in low-lying areas, foothill zones, and high-risk areas are warned to be prepared for flash floods, river flooding, and landslides. The meteorological center urges the public to closely monitor weather forecasts and official warnings, avoid travel through flooded areas, and those in at-risk zones should move valuables to higher ground.
Looking ahead, the northern region is expected to experience intermittent heavy rainfall through August and September due to the continued influence of the monsoon trough and southwest monsoon, with a possible impact from tropical cyclones. August is forecast to see 190–230 millimeters of rainfall across the north, about 10 percent below normal, while Chiang Mai will receive 150–200 millimeters. September is projected to have 160–200 millimeters regionally, 20 percent below normal. Year-to-date rainfall in the north stands at 581.9 millimeters, significantly less than the 1,604.5 millimeters recorded during the same period in 2024.
