INTERACTIVE: 2024 was Malaysia’s fourth hottest year on record

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI

PETALING JAYA: The year 2024 marked Malaysia’s fourth hottest year in over four decades, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

The department said over the 43-year observation period (1981–2024), six of the ten hottest years were recorded since 2015, all occurring within the past decade.

Last year’s national average temperature stood at 27.55 degrees Celcius, ranking it fourth behind 2016, 1998, and 2019.

Malaysia recorded its highest national average temperature in 2016 at 27.84 degrees Celcius, followed by 1998 (27.70 degrees Celcius) and 2019 (27.63 degrees Celcius).

The highest temperature of 2024 was logged in Chuping, Perlis, which saw the mercury climb to 39.0 degrees Celcius on March 23, 2024.

The same location endured 52 consecutive days without rain, making it the most prolonged dry stretch recorded nationwide last year.

In 2024, for lowland areas, the monthly average temperatures ranged between 21.3 degrees Celcius and 31.0 degrees Celcius.

Meanwhile, the monthly average maximum temperatures were significantly higher, ranging from 33.8 degrees Celcius to 39.0 degrees Celcius.

A closer look at the data reveals an increase in heatwave advisories issued by MetMalaysia.

MetMalaysia director general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said that Malaysia experienced 132 days of Level 1 heat alerts last year and 45 days under Level 2 heat alerts, which was the highest number of days issued with a Level 2 alert in the past decade.

Level 1 means a location is on alert for a possible heatwave with temperatures hovering between 35 degrees Celcius and 37 degrees Celcius for at least three consecutive days.

Level 2 and Level 3 means a location is officially in a heatwave.

Level 2 is when the daily maximum temperature at a location rises above 37 degrees Celcius but stays below 40 degrees Celcius for at least three consecutive days.

Level 3 is when the mercury goes above 40 degrees Celcius for at least three consecutive days.

The department has issued a total of 1,609 alerts on soaring temperatures in various areas nationwide last year.

Such a number has surpassed 2023’s total of 397 alerts.

In contrast, as of this year, only 13 heat alerts have been issued.

Among the locations or areas most affected by extreme temperatures, Baling in Kedah emerged as the hottest spot, receiving the highest number of alerts at 73. 

This was followed by Padang Terap with 61 alerts and Pendang with 56 alerts.

According to the MetMalaysia, Malaysia is currently experiencing the Southwest Monsoon, which began in May and is expected to last until September.

This season typically brings lower atmospheric moisture, resulting in fewer rainclouds and a higher number of dry days across much of the country.

“The dry conditions heighten the risk of haze, especially if open burning is not strictly controlled.

“While overall rainfall is reduced during this season, thunderstorms, strong winds, and flash floods remain possible, particularly in western Peninsular Malaysia, northern Sarawak, and western Sabah, typically occurring late at night or early in the morning,” said Dr Mohd Hisham.

He added the global El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which heavily influences regional climate, is currently in a neutral phase, and most international climate models do not anticipate an extreme dry weather event in the months ahead.

“This neutral ENSO condition is expected to persist throughout the year.

“Current projections suggest that Malaysia will likely transition into the inter-monsoon phase between late September and early November, followed by a normal Northeast Monsoon towards the year-end,” he said.

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