PETALING JAYA: Many cities and districts in Malaysia are experiencing cold weather thanks to the cold winds from the Northeast monsoon.

Cities and towns like Subang Jaya, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kota Bharu, Kuantan and Petaling Jaya are experiencing conditions below 25 °C similar to that of Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.

The minimum temperatures were recorded since New Year’s Day and it is expected to continue for the next few weeks.

MMD reported on Thursday that from Jan 1-22, the lowest recorded temperature for Kuantan was 21.0°C, Kota Kinabalu 22.1°C, Petaling Jaya 23.6 °C, Kota Bharu 23°C, Kuching 22.0°C while Northern districts like Alor Setar, Kedah and Chuping, Perlis recorded 22.4°C and 23.3 °C respectively.

“Based on our information, among all the months, January will always record the lowest temperature every year,”

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD), the dip in temperature is due to the cold winds from Northeast monsoon and this is not the first time such a phenomenon has occurred.

“The temperature fluctuates from time-to-time and during the Northeast monsoon, such minimum recordings is usual and has happened many times during the season,”

“Cold temperatures are usually recorded in East Coast and Northern region of peninsular Malaysia because of the Northeast monsoon wind which is pretty strong.

“The wind comes from Mainland China, which is experiencing snow right now.

“Also, good weather and non-cloudy conditions in Malaysia this week helped reduce the temperatures in the early morning and night.

“Atmosphere without clouds is similar to a situation where there is no blanket to keep us warm. The blanket is the cloud and our body is earth,” said MMD.

MMD also dispelled rumours that it snowed in Indonesia as they said it’s impossible for a tropical country to experience such a phenomenon.