The Meteorological Service of Singapore reports on 15 October 2001 for the South East Asian region: "Generally cloudy condition prevailed over most parts of the region. Several hot spots were detected in the cloud-free areas of central Sumatra." Forecasts of winds and surface pressure are also available.
Regional Surface Winds and Haze/Fire Map, 15 October 2001
(Source: Meteorological Service of
Singapore)
Review of Regional Weather and Smoke Haze
Apart from some isolated dry areas over the central Sumatra and the southern parts of Kalimantan, the region was generally wet in the month of
September 2001. Hotspot counts over Sumatra were mostly low with daily counts well below 40 on most
days (Fig.1). While over Kalimantan, the number of hotspots was below 50 on most days, except in the first week of the month when dry weather conditions resulted an increase in counts to between 100 to
200 from 1 to 3 September 2001 (Fig.2).
(SOURCE: Meteorological Service of Singapore)
Fig.1: Daily Hot Spots Counts over Kalimantan
in September 2001
(Source: Meteorological Service of
Singapore)
Fig.2: Daily Hot Spots Counts over Sumatra in
September 2001
(Source: Meteorological Service of
Singapore)
Weather and Haze Outlook
Tropical Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were near normal to slightly above normal in September 2001. Most forecasts of advanced
centres indicate SSTAs to increase slightly to above normal (+ 0.5º C ) by the end of the first quarter of 2002. This could indicate the possibility of the onset
of a weak El Nino episode in the second half of 2002.
The region is expected to transit from the current Southwest Monsoon Season to inter-monsoon conditions in October and November. While brief
periods of dry weather could still occur, particularly over southern Sumatra and Kalimantan in October 2001, most parts of the region should begin to
experience increased thundery shower activities in the coming months. These should bring about an end the potential of any smoke haze in the region for
the rest of 2001.
The Meteorological Service of Singapore provides rainfall-record charts for selected locations in Sumatra and Kalimantan with information about the mean annual rainfall and the actual monthly and weekly records for last year.
 |
 |
Rainfall charts for Sumatra and Kalimantan
(Source: Meteorological Service of
Singapore)
The GFMC displays selected and daily updated global and Asia-Pacific Experimental Climate Prediction Center (ECPC) Fire Weather Forecasts. These examples allow a quicklook and provide daily and weekly total forecasts and forecasted monthly totals. For background information refer to the ECPC products description page.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| tomorrow | this week | next month |
Fire Weather Index (FWI) forecast for tomorrow (left),
this week (center) and the predicted
FWI total for next month (right) for the Western Pacific (1-3) and the Pacific Ocean (4-6)
regions.
The weekly total forecast and the monthly forecasted total refer to 00:00 hrs UTC,
which is local noon at dateline (180° longitude). Forecast time is 12:00 hrs noon UTC
(Greenwich)
corresponding to local evening time in mainland and insular SE Asia.
(Source: ECPC
Fire Weather Index Forecast)
The ASEAN Fire Weather Information System (ASFWIS) is a co-operation between ASEAN and the Canadian Forest Service. It provides maps describing the current fire weather situation in South East Asia. This system is based upon the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) (for further infomation to the CFFDRS refer to ASFWIS). Studies have shown that the CFFDRS is applicable outside of Canada. Currently it is also used in a modified form in New Zealand (see References). In New Zealand the Fire Weather Indices Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) and the Initial Spread Index (ISI) represent the fire danger in the scrublands. The Duff Moisture Code (DMC) is also applicable in South East Asia, because it potentially describes the moisture state of the upper peat layers in peat and peat swamp forests. All three parameters may serve as a suitable indicator of forest fire danger in South East Asia.
According to the ASFWIS for 5 October 2001 these parameters show various fire weather conditions over South East Asia:
 |
 |
 |
Fine Fuel Moisture Code |
Duff Moisture Code |
Drought Code |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Initial Spread Index |
Buildup Index |
Fire Weather Index | Keetch-Byram-Drought |
Output maps of the ASFWIS, 5 October 2001
(Source: ASFWIS)
This Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) image
of eastern Asia was acquired on 14 October 2001. Large amounts
of aerosol in the air and a few possible point sources of smoke,
probably fires, are visible at the very top of the image.
Source: Nasa´s Earthobservatory
(Image courtesy the SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard
Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE )
The ASEAN Haze Action Online provides the following information:
- Monitoring: Hyperlinks to institutions involved in regional monitoring and prediction of fire and smoke haze
- Haze News: ASEAN Transboundary Haze Update (updated daily)
- Intranet: Information and possible participation in the ASEAN Haze Action Online Intranet Information Services (for associated registered participants)
- Mobilization Plan: Model Fire Suppression Mobilization Plan
- Inventory: Inventory and analysis of forest and land fire suppression capabilities
- Haze Forum: Communication platform on fire and smoke-haze issues in the ASEAN region
- Calendar: Fire and haze-related events can be identified by a search modus
The Integrated Forest Fire Management Project (IFFM) in Samarinda provides regulary updated hot spots maps of Kalimantan.