KUALA LUMPUR: The recent cold weather and temperatures, which have been caused by the northeast monsoon and the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) La Nina status, are expected to last until early January.
ENSO is the coupled ocean-atmosphere process that includes El Niño and La Niña.
El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of a recurring climate pattern across the tropical Pacific.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), Malaysia is in ENSO La Nina status, which means Malaysia is in the cool phase of the ENSO climate pattern.
MetMalaysia director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said the temperature varied across regions and terrains.
"In general, the temperature in the regions is between 22°C and 33°C. In the past week, lower temperatures were recorded in the interior and the east coast of the peninsula due to continuous rain.
"So far, the lowest temperature recorded is 22°C.
"As of now, the west coast of the Peninsula and Sarawak recorded a higher temperature of 33°C," Helmi told the New Straits Times.
MetMalaysia advises people, particularly those living in areas where a continuous heavy rain warning is in effect, to be vigilant and take precautions.
It also advised them to get the latest weather information issued by MetMalaysia through the department's official website (www.met.gov.my), myCuaca mobile application, which is available for free on Google Play and App Store, and MetMalaysia's official social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube MET TV).
The public can contact the MetMalaysia hotline at 1-300-22-1638 for inquiries.