GEORGE TOWN: If it is not for the scorching tropical heat here, those visiting Penang would have thought it was autumn on the island.

The intense heat has caused leaves on the trees along major streets to wilt and turn yellow, creating an autumn-like look but without the cool weather.

The trees have also shed their foliage, leaving the branches and twigs bare.

A Meteorological Department spokesman said the current weather was due to the intermittent monsoon, with temperatures reaching up to 34°C in some parts of the country.

“If the temperatures continue to exceed 35°C for a week or more, it will bring on drought.

“Recent readings of temperature in the northern part of the country have been between 32°C and 33°C in the day, and between 27°C and 28°C at night,” she said.

However, the spokesman said that although the west coast was expected to be “hot and dry” during the coming Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 14, the east coast would continue to see rain.

“The east coast is currently experiencing a rainy spell. The west coast will only experience scattered showers at night,” she added.

She said temperatures in the west coast were only expected to cool from May as the southwest monsoon set in.

Last year, the country’s northern states experienced cooler weather with nightly temperatures in Penang dropping to as low as 21°C due to stronger northeasterly winds blowing in from Central Asia.

Sunday February 7, 2010

The Star Online