Bali Weather Warning

(10/26/2009)

The Bali office of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) have warned that Bali's current weather conditions are ripe for the production of angin puting beliung - water and land spouts resembling small-scale tornadoes.

Kompas.com quotes Made Wijendra, a meteorologist at Denpasar's BMG office, saying: "the increased air temperature caused by the Sun's position directly over Bali bring the potential of local showers and angin puting beliung. "

Wijendra explained that the sun's concentration over Bali's latitude will last through early November as the sun moves towards its "summertime" position above the southern hemisphere. During the sun's transition period, daily temperatures in Bali will get as high a 33-34 degrees Celsius.

The high temperatures in combination with the cumulonimbus clouds that bring local rains can produce localized tornadoes or whirlwinds, known locally as angin puting beliung.

In recent years this weather phenomenon have threatened local shipping and caused damage to structures in coastal areas of Bali.

Bali residents should be aware of this weather threat, seeking immediate cover in an inner room of the strongest available structure if a wind spout is sighted. The high winds connected to these wind spouts are a threat to life and property and the public should take all necessary precautions when encountering such weather.