Brace yourselves, Thailand, summer is coming.
If you’ve ever powered through the kingdom’s “summer,” you’ll realize that statement is no laughing matter, and sadly, there’s no escaping it.
Tomorrow is officially the first day of the “summer” season per the Thai Meteorological Department — and it’s going to be at least a couple degrees hotter than last year.
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Phuwieng Phrakhammintara, director-general of the Meteorological Department, said that the country’s Northeastern, Central and Eastern regions will reach about 40 degrees Celsius (104 degree Fahrenheit) during the day, reported Workpoint.
The temperature will be highest in the following seven provinces: Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Nakhon Sawan and Kanchanaburi, which may reach up to 43 degrees (about 109.5 fahrenheit).
Meanwhile in the south, temperatures will climb to about 39 degrees celsius (102 fahrenheit).
This summer will be, on average, about 1-2 degree celsius hotter than last year, according to the Meteorological Department.
Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda has reportedly instructed local authorities to alert communities in order to prepare for the heat and possible summer storms.
For you meteorological history fans out there, the hottest day ever recorded in Thailand was on April 28, 2016, when the Northern province of Mae Hong Son reached a scorching 44.6 degree celsius (about 112.5 fahrenheit,) reported Daily News.
That year, Thailand also set a record for the longest heat wave in at least 65 years.
Here’s hoping for a merely lukewarm summer this year.
Correction: An earlier version of the story said the hottest day of the year was on April 27, 1960, in Uttaradit. It is actually on April 28, 2016.
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