SEASONS IN INDONESIA
Equatorial climate at its best
Covering over 5,000 km, Indonesia is one of the largest archipelagoes in the world, with thousands of islands stretching along the equator. Indeed, most of the country has an equatorial climate, which means temperatures are quite stable throughout the year, ranging from 22°C to 32°C. However, it may feel much hotter because of high humidity ranging between 70% and 83%! The greatest difference in weather is not measured in a variety of temperatures, but it is measured in the amount of rainfall and the different impact of the monsoon regime. In fact, generally Indonesia experiences two major seasons: wet and dry. The wet rainy seasons is characterised by hot and humid weather, with strong thunderstorms and occasional floods. The dry season is more or less marked according to the area and is typically the best time to visit Indonesia. For the most part, the best season to visit Indonesia is from May to September, as October to April are usually the rainiest months across the country. However, according to the area, the rainy season can be more or less strong. Some exceptions are Sumatra and Sulawesi, where the weather patterns and rainfall are slightly different.
The Monsoon
Seasonal changes in the direction of winds, monsoon are the cause for wet and rainy seasons in the tropics. Monsoons are very important for agriculture, as they provide the much needed water for crops to grow after long dry seasons, filling wells for the rest of the year. Rice, for instance, is a crop that greatly relies on the monsoons. Although always blowing from colder to warmer regions, there are different types of monsoons: the summer and the winter monsoon. The summer monsoon mainly affects India and Southeast Asia, bringing torrential rainfalls and warm, moist air between the months of April to September. A balanced summer monsoon is essential for a country’s economy, as it allows crops to grow as well as electricity production. When the summer monsoon is too heavy, some areas can be devastated by mudslides and flash floods and crops are destroyed. The winter monsoons lasts from October to March and blows from the Northeast, bringing moist air from the South China sea to Indonesia and Malaysia. In Indonesia, April and October are the transition months between the two monsoon periods, when winds are light and variable.
Did you know?
Indonesia is located near the Equator and experiences a 12 hours long day almost all year round. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day of the year is maximum 48 minutes.
