Torrential Rains in Thailand

In late March, torrential rains pounded southern Thailand. In one week, some places on the Malay Peninsula received more than 4 feet of rain. The out-of-season rains caused deadly flash floods and landslides.

Heavy rain isn't unusual in Thailand, but it is unusual for this time of year. Southeast Asia typically has very rainy summers and dry winters and springs. This pattern results from the interaction of two phenomena: the seasonal migration of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (see animation below) and the Asian monsoon.

Monthly average global rain rates. The sequence begins in March, when summer is drawing to a close in the Southern Hemisphere. The highest rain rates on the map (blue) occur south of the equator, and places like Madagascar, northern Australia, and the southern Amazon Rainforest are near the end of their rainy seasons. By June, those places are dry, and Northern Hemisphere tropical locations, including India, Southeast Asia, and Africa south of the Sahara are receiving rain.

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