18-7-2024 (YOGYAKARTA) The renowned cultural hub of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, typically known for its balmy tropical climate, is currently experiencing an unexpected cold spell, with temperatures plummeting to a chilly 18.8°C. This marked departure from the norm has caught both residents and visitors off guard, transforming the usually warm city into a temporarily cooler destination.
According to climate data from WeatherSpark, Yogyakarta’s average annual temperature typically fluctuates between a comfortable 23°C and 31°C. However, recent weeks have seen a significant deviation from these norms, leaving locals reaching for extra layers.
Warjono, Head of Yogyakarta’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), shed light on the unusual weather pattern in a written statement. He reported that from 5 July to 14 July, temperatures in the city ranged from a cool 19°C to 23°C, well below the seasonal average.
Explaining the phenomenon, Warjono attributed the temperature dip to the movement of cold and dry air masses originating from Australia’s monsoon winds. This meteorological event has coincided with Yogyakarta’s peak dry season, which typically occurs in July and August, further intensifying the cooling effect.
The BMKG chief also noted that the unusually low temperatures could be exacerbated by reduced cloud cover. This allows heat reflected from the Earth’s surface to escape more readily into the atmosphere, rather than being trapped by cloud layers, resulting in cooler ground temperatures.
Looking ahead, forecasters predict that this unseasonable chill may persist until August 2024, potentially making this one of the longest cold spells in recent memory for the region. However, it’s unlikely to break records; the coldest temperature ever recorded in Yogyakarta was a brisk 17°C, noted on 15 August 2018, according to the national news agency Antara.
