Maldives experiences longest northeast monsoon delay in a decade

Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has stated that last year saw the longest delay in the start to the northeast monsoon in Maldives in the past 10 years.

Last year's northeast monsoon began this January 2nd, after the year had already ended.

When Mihaaru News requested Met Office for the start dates of northeast monsoons during previous years, they provided data for the past 10 years. This data shows that last year had the latest start of the northeast monsoon.

In the previous year, 2023, the northeast monsoon began on December 24, and in 2022, it started on December 31.

Within the past 10 years, the earliest start of the northeast monsoon was in 2019, beginning on December 8.

MET determines the start of the northeast monsoon when winds blow from the east at speeds exceeding 10 nautical miles per hour, and this condition persists for two or more consecutive days.

Of the two monsoon seasons in Maldives, the northeast monsoon typically lasts from December through March, while the southwest monsoon extends from April through November.

The effects of the northeast monsoon usually begin in the northern and central atolls during the second or third week of December. By January, the monsoon typically affects the entire country.

According to the Maldivian traditional calendar, the northeast monsoon is predicted to start around December 10. However, Met Office's statistics from the past 10 years show that the traditional calendar and actual weather patterns haven't aligned.

The impact of global climate change were strongly felt in Maldives last year. There were numerous incidents of extreme heat, heavy rainfall, flooding, and storm surges.

Last year, Maldives recorded a historically high heat index. On April last year, the heat index in Male' area reached 48 degrees Celsius.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared last year as the hottest year on record globally. In addition to record-breaking temperatures, the WMO reported numerous tragic incidents of unusual rainfall and flooding in various parts of the world.