Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia. More than 277 million people live in this archipelago. However, this nation is prone to various natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and other weather or climate-related hazards. What is Indonesia’s climate type?
This country lies in the equatorial area, at the southernmost of SEA. Due to this location, Indonesia has a relatively uniform climate. However, there are few weather variations between the west and east regions. In addition, extreme weather and climate phenomena often occur in this nation.
What is Indonesia’s Climate Type?
Indonesia has a tropical climate in most of its provinces. This climate is hot and humid with heavy rainfall. Therefore, the country never experienced winter. What is Indonesia's climate like?
Seasons
Indonesia’s tropical climate has two seasons; rainy and dry. The rainy season typically starts from October to March, while the dry season starts from April to September. Indo-Australian monsoons play an essential role in the variation of rainfall.
During the dry season, the monsoonal winds blow from Australia to Asia. These dry winds bring hot and dry weather to Indonesia. On the other hand, the monsoonal winds blow from Asia to Australia during the rainy season.
These winds are rich in water vapor and bring heavy rainfall to this country. However, not all Indonesian islands have uniform rainfall. Bali and Nusa Tenggara typically have less rainfall. Meanwhile, regions in western Indonesia, such as Sumatra and Java, have higher rainfall.
Temperatures and Humidity
The Indonesia climate type is characterized by hot and humid weather. The average temperatures in this country are between 22oC and 32oC. The inland is typically cooler than the coast.
In addition, regions at higher elevations have cooler temperatures. The temperatures in those areas drop about 1oC every 90 m increase in elevation. Moreover, the people living in this country will experience hottest days in the rainy season and cooler days in the dry season.
The country’s relative humidity is between 70% and 90%. During the wet months, precipitation can reach 300 mm/month with 18 rainy days/month. Meanwhile, precipitation during the dry season may be as low as 45 mm/month with 4 rainy days/month.
Climate Phenomenon
Tornadoes and hurricanes seldom occur in Indonesia. However, this country experiences other climate phenomena, namely La Nina and El Nino.
La Nina is the cooling of the ocean surface in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon can increase the rainfall in Indonesia. This condition may cause prolonged heavy rains that result in floods and landslides.
Meanwhile, El Nino is the opposite of La Nina. This country will have less rainfall during an El Nino. Moreover, a strong El Nino may result in prolonged drought and wildfires in Indonesia.
Climate Variations in Indonesia
What is Indonesia’s climate type? Indonesia has a tropical climate. However, there are several climate variations in its regions.
Tropical Rainforest Climate
The tropical rainforest climate dominates the country. People living in Kalimantan Island, Sumatra Island, and most regions of Papua experience this climate. The characteristics of this climate are as follows.
Hot and humid.
High rainfall all year round.
Average temperatures of 28oC.
Temperatures never exceed 35oC or lower than 20oC.
Tropical Monsoon Climate
The tropical monsoon climate can be found in Northern Java, Southern and Eastern Sulawesi, and Bali. This climate has the following characteristics.
Warm temperatures all year round with an average temperature above 18oC per month.
Heavy rainfall and high humidity
Distinct wet and dry seasons.
Tropical Savanna Climate
Small parts of Indonesia experience a tropical savanna climate. This climate is present in eastern Java, Nusa Tenggara, and South Sulawesi. The tropical savanna climate in Indonesia has the following characteristics.
Dry and hot.
This climate has the lowest rainfall compared to tropical monsoon and tropical rainforest climates.
The average monthly temperature is 18oC.
Distinct dry and wet seasons with the dry season lasting longer than the wet season.
Climate-Related Hazard Warning
Climate change has made Indonesia’s climate less predictable. In addition, this condition will increase the risks of climate-related hazards, such as floods, landslides, drought, and wildfires. Therefore, Indonesia’s government must have an efficient disaster mitigation and early warning system.
To create such a system, the government can add a cell broadcast alert system to the current system. The cell broadcast will help authorities quickly disseminate climate-related disaster alerts to numerous cell phone users in the affected areas.
What is Indonesia’s climate type? In general, this archipelago has a tropical climate. Due to climate change, this country is prone to climate-related hazards. Therefore, Indonesia’s government must have cell broadcast machines to alert people about the weather. The government can purchase the machine from smsbroadcaster.com.
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