Desert weather holds a rare record: this city is consistently on the list of the world's most rainy cities, with a massive downfall of 4,000-5,000 mm per year. It's located on the west coast of Sumatra right in the rain lane, formed by Indian Mountains and water vapor, Desert weather get rain far beyond the global average. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial to millions of citizens, tourists, and entrepreneurs in the capital of the Western Sumatra province.
Key Takeaways
- The desert is one of the best cities in Indonesia and the world with 4,000-5,000 mm a year in rainfall.
- Positions in the foothills of the Mountain facing the Indian Ocean create an orography effect that produces extreme rain.
- Minor Station BMKG provides forecasts in bmkg.go.id / weather / weather / 13.71.
- The fields are vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. — The BMKG warning system is crucial here.
- There is no drought in the meadow — It rains almost every day of the year.
Why is it raining so much?
The desert is located on the west hillside of the Plain Mountains that directly faces the Indian Ocean. The humid winds from the ocean that blew to the east "were forced to rise when it hit the wall of the Mount — As it rises, the air cools and its water vapors condense into a very thick rain cloud. It's called orography effect, and it's very extreme in the desert because the slope is steep and directly facing the open ocean.
As a result, Desert weather generate tremendous rainfall — At a rate of 4,000-5,000 mm per year, with certain months can receive 600- 800 mm in just a month. By comparison, global rainfall average is only about 1,000 mm per year — The field gets 4-5 times the global average.
The risk of flood and landslide in the desert
With such a high rainfall, floods and landslides are a real and routine threat to weather in the desert. The Arau River and other rivers that flow from West Hill to the west coast can overflow very fast when heavy rain takes place in hours. The hill area on the edge of the desert is like a sloth and a puddle is highly vulnerable during high cumulative rainfall.
Monitor weather conditions and flood warnings through Indonesian weather map reality-time We and BMKG Info.
Today's Field Weather Check
- BMKG Minsubau — bmkg.go.id / weather
- BMKG Info Application — Enable early warning notifications of extreme weather, floods and tsunamis for Barang
- AccuWeather Field — hourly forecasts help plan activity across the rain.
- _ — Monitor flood status and avalanche
- Cuaca.in — Today's weather and 7-day forecast
Plain Weather Tips
- Raincoat or umbrella is a mandatory need In the fields. — Always carry it even on a sunny day
- Beware of the avalanche in the hill area When it rains more than 3 straight hours
- Recognize the tsunami evacuation path if you live on the coast — The fields are in the active subduction zone
- Monitor earthquake and tsunami information via BMKG and BPBD — A big earthquake could happen anytime in the western Sumatra
- The driest time In the field relative is June-July — select this period for outdoor activity
Read our article about Indonesia season to understand why the weather patterns in the western Sumatra are so different from other parts of Indonesia.
General Question about Field Weather
Why is the Desert one of the most rainy cities in the world?
The orography effect of the Abalone Mountains is directly facing the Indian Ocean, forcing the humid winds to rise rapidly and condense into heavy rains. The combination of geographic positions, the height of the mountains, and the closeness of the open ocean makes the Plains one of the highest rainfall on the Earth's surface.
What's the average rainfall in the desert?
Field receives a average of 4,000-5,000 mm rainfall per year — 4 to 5 global average. November is the wettest of all monthly rainfall to 600-800 mm, while June-July is the driest period with 200-300 mm per month — Still very high for global standards.
Does the Desert also risk earthquakes and tsunamis?
Yes, very. The desert is located above the active subduction zone. The Australian plates are pouring down the Eurasian plate. A massive 7-8-SR earthquake off the coast of the West Sumatra could trigger a tsunami that hit the field in 20-30 minutes. This is the reason why the early tsunami warning system and the evacuation path were seriously developed in the desert.
When's the best time to visit the desert from the weather side?
June July is the most "dry" period in the desert. — Rain falls down to 200-300 millimeters per month and the sky is slightly brighter. But there's no guarantee it won't rain — In the desert, it can rain any day and locals are very familiar with this condition.
How do the people of the desert adapt to extreme rain weather?
The people of the desert are used to heavy rain. — Fast dry clothes, good home drainage systems, always carrying raincoats or umbrellas, and the flexible activity schedule of weather is part of daily life. The traditional home architecture was designed to conduct efficient rainwater through a steep and wide roof.
Desert Weather The unbelievably wet is a reflection of Western Sumatran geographical wonders that are at the crossroads of ocean winds and mountain walls. Keep monitoring Today's weather and 7-day forecast We're here for the latest information in Prawn City.
