Maldives declares onset of northeast monsoon
The northeast monsoon typically lasts from January to March, but its early signs often begin to appear in December.
Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) office on Friday officially announced the onset of the northeast monsoon, marking a seasonal shift in weather patterns across the country.
The northeast monsoon typically lasts from January to March, but its early signs often begin to appear in December. The MET office stated that the monsoon's initial impact is observed in the northern and central atolls before spreading further.
Key indicators of the northeast monsoon include:
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Rainfall with periods of heavy rain.
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A shift in wind patterns from the west to the east.
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A transition marked by what is termed "two-season rainfall."
According to meteorological data, the sunny season traditionally begins in January, but the northeast monsoon's onset this year has occurred later than usual.
The MET office also outlined the criteria used to determine the start of the sunny season, which includes sustained eastward winds with speeds exceeding 10 nautical miles per hour over at least two consecutive days.
The southwest monsoon, which precedes the northeast monsoon, spans from May to November.
