Experts: October could see clearer skies
Meteorologists predict that Malaysia's haze conditions may improve by October due to a seasonal shift in wind patterns. While fires continue to burn in Sumatra and Kalimantan, the transition away from the south-west monsoon is expected to alter the direction of smoke drift.
Why it matters
The haze is a significant environmental and public health issue in Southeast Asia, and understanding seasonal patterns is vital for regional planning.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians may have to wait until October for clearer skies when a seasonal shift in prevailing winds is expected to reduce the amount of smoke heading towards the country.
Universiti Malaya meteorologist Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the current haze situation has some similarities to the major episode in 2019 when a change in seasonal wind patterns eventually improved conditions over Malaysia.
“Just like in 2019, the likelihood of clear skies is in October when the wind is expected to be no longer south or south-westerly,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Azizan said Malaysia’s skies could clear even while fires continued to burn in Sumatra and Kalimantan, as a change in prevailing winds would alter the direction in which the smoke drifted.
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