Thailand wakes to cool, foggy mornings as a high-pressure retreat reshapes the skies
This morning, January 26, Thailand greeted early risers with cooler air and wisps of patchy fog as a stout high-pressure system sitting over upper Thailand and the upper South begins to lose its grip. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) says that as the high weakens, temperatures will nudge down by about 1–2°C across several areas — a welcome chill for those enjoying brisk walks, and a reminder to bring a light jacket if you step out before sunrise.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon holds its position over the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and the southern provinces, producing a steady maritime mood. That means isolated thundershowers are possible along parts of the lower South, particularly in coastal provinces where the sea and atmosphere argue over who’s boss.
What the sea is up to
Boaters and beach lovers should take note: waves in the lower Gulf of Thailand are forecast at 1–2 metres, and could swell beyond 2 metres where thunderstorms bubble up. Offshore conditions will be rougher where the northeast winds strengthen, so keep an eye on local marine advisories before heading out.
Regional outlook (6:00 AM today to 6:00 AM tomorrow)
The TMD’s regional breakdown makes it clear: mornings are cool to cold in many places, afternoons rebound to warm but comfortable highs, and mountain tops might feel like they’ve skipped straight to winter.
- North: Cool to cold mornings with light fog. Expect a slight temperature rise of 1–2°C during the day. Afternoon highs will be around 30–33°C, while overnight lows dip to 13–18°C. Mountain peaks stay bitterly cold — 2–12°C with isolated frost possible. Light easterly winds of 10–15 km/h add to the brisk feel.
- Northeast: Cool to cold mornings again, with patchy fog and a minor 1–2°C increase over the day. Morning temps sit at 13–19°C and climb to 30–33°C by afternoon. The highlands remain colder, ranging 8–14°C. Gentle northeasterlies persist at 10–15 km/h.
- Central: A cool start with some light fog. Morning lows of 17–19°C will warm to 32–34°C later on. Calm conditions prevail under light easterly winds of 10–15 km/h — perfect weather for a mid-morning market run.
- East: Cool mornings and light fog are expected, with early temps between 18–23°C and daytime highs of 32–35°C. Moderate easterly winds of 15–30 km/h will keep coastal waves under 1 metre near shore and around 1 metre offshore.
- South (East Coast): The upper East Coast will enjoy a cool start and a slight temperature lift. Isolated thundershowers are likely in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla. Temperatures range from 17–24°C in the morning to 30–34°C in the afternoon. Northeasterly winds will blow at 15–30 km/h from Surat Thani northward, strengthening to 15–35 km/h from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward — expect waves of 1–2 metres and higher in thunderstorm zones.
- South (West Coast): Cool mornings with isolated thundershowers largely in Krabi, Trang and Satun. Daytime temps reach 32–34°C after morning readings of 21–24°C. Northeasterly winds at 15–30 km/h will push seas to about 1 metre, increasing in offshore and stormy areas.
- Bangkok and vicinity: The capital wakes to a cool, foggy start — morning temperatures around 21–23°C, rising to 32–35°C in the afternoon. Light easterly winds of 10–15 km/h make for a calm, if slightly muggy, urban day.
Tips for the day
Pack layers if you’re heading out early — a light sweater or scarf will be appreciated during foggy commutes. If you’re planning marine activities around the lower Gulf or along the southern coasts, check the latest sea advisories and be prepared to alter plans where thunderstorms could force rough conditions. And if you’re travelling to the highlands, bring proper cold-weather gear: those mountain tops will bite.
The TMD’s infographic — translated into English — provides a handy snapshot of today’s conditions across the country. As the high pressure eases and the northeast monsoon keeps stirring the southern seas, expect a mix of pleasant daytime warmth and crisp mornings for the rest of the week. Stay weather-aware, and enjoy Thailand’s cool flirting with winter before the tropical routine returns.
Cool mornings are lovely but that warning about waves worries me as a fisher. We can’t afford to lose another day at sea, but safety comes first.
I hear you, Suda — my neighbor’s son works on a boat and he already had to cancel a trip. Fisher incomes are tight this season.
Thanks for saying that, grower134; community support helps when livelihoods are at stake. I hope local advisories are clear and enforced.
This is exactly why government compensation for cancelled fishing days should be real and fast, not just talk.
Bold claim, Mai, but where will the money come from? Budgets are tight and priorities get argued forever.
If they delay trips, at least it’s not worth risking lives. But boats could use better forecasting tools on small scales.
Agreed — tech helps, but training fishers to read local micro-weather would save more lives than fancy apps alone.
As a weekend sailor, 1–2 metre waves sound doable but anything over that is risky. Why do forecasts never say how fast conditions change?
They actually do, Tom, but local winds and thunderstorms create chaotic conditions that models struggle with. Check short-range marine warnings.
Good tip, SailorGuy — I’ll subscribe to local advisories. Still feels like a guessing game at times.
Stop being dramatic, Tom. Most people go out all the time with bigger waves and it’s fine.
Aly, casual risk-taking is fine for hobbyists but public messaging must be conservative to prevent accidents. There’s a difference between anecdote and policy.
This pattern of cool mornings with stubborn monsoonal seas is consistent with larger shifts in atmospheric circulation. It may not be a headline climate event, but it’s symptomatic.
Can you explain that in simple terms? I jog every morning and I’m worried about what this means for our future.
Sure — think of the high pressure as a big air mass that controls temperatures; when it weakens, wind patterns shift and the monsoon can remain active longer, altering rainfall and sea conditions.
Seems like climate academics always turn any weather into climate doom. Is this really different from normal variability?
I agree with the skepticism; one cool patch doesn’t mean climate change is to blame. Let’s not hype every forecast.
Farmers love the cooler mornings, tomato yields improved last winter with these slight chills. But fog can slow harvests and cause mold.
Exactly — microclimate matters. Agro-extension services should tell farmers how to adapt to these back-and-forth conditions.
If molds increase, that’s a market problem not a weather problem. Better storage is the solution, not complaining.
Mountain frost? People romanticize it but frost kills crops and tourists get hyped and then disappointed.
Tourism boards profit from ‘winter up north’ photos, but local farmers pay the price when temperature dips damage plants.
As someone who planned a trip to see ‘winter’ Thailand, I was disappointed when day temps still hit 33°C. Misleading marketing.
The mountain communities don’t need Instagram trends; they need actionable weather alerts and support after cold snaps.
Foggy mornings make driving dangerous. Are there any local campaigns to remind drivers to use fog lights and slow down?
Nope. People ignore it here until accidents spike. Driver education is poor and enforcement is weak.
We need low-cost infrastructure like rumble strips and better signage along risky stretches to reduce fog-related crashes.
Tour operators should cancel sea tours when forecasts suggest >2 metre waves, but many prioritize income over safety. That’s unethical.
Some operators do cancel, but many don’t have backup revenues. Maybe insurers should refuse claims if operators ignored advisories.
I once got stuck on Koh Samui with a canceled boat and no refund. There’s no regulation forcing refunds, so customers lose out.
Exactly, TouristGuy. Regulation, consumer rights, and enforcement are needed — not just good intentions.
As someone from the Northeast, these chilly mornings are welcome, but the afternoon swings give me headaches. Is that normal?
Yes, Priya. Diurnal ranges increase when humidity drops at night and suns return by day. It’s a classic tropical-subtropical pattern right now.
So layering is the answer — I carry a light scarf and it helps a lot with the morning fog chill.
What annoys me is how often advisories use technical language that local people don’t understand. Translate the warnings into actionable steps.
Communication is key. Simple icons and SMS alerts in local dialects would reduce confusion and improve compliance.
Also push notifications on phones with clear do/don’t lists. People ignore long paragraphs but they read short bullets.
Showers in the lower South scare me; the infrastructure there floods easily and drains are clogged with plastic.
True — municipal maintenance is neglected. Investment in drainage would mitigate storm impacts and is cheaper than cleanup after floods.
Local communities should be trained to do basic drainage clearing; small actions add up before the rainy season intensifies.
Isolated thunderstorms always ruin beach plans. Why can’t weather apps predict these isolated cells better?
They can on short time frames with radar, but many apps don’t show radar fine-grained over sea areas, so gaps remain.
Maybe tourists should stop relying on apps and ask locals instead. Locals know the sea better than any algorithm.
Fair point, Aly, but tourists don’t always have time to build local trust before booking activities.
Morning temps of 13–19°C are normal for us and welcome for farming work, but mountain frost warnings should be taken seriously.
We’ve lost coffee seedlings to unexpected frost before. Early risk communication can save a planting season.
Frost events in tropical highlands are rare but impactful. Monitoring and targeted advisories for growers can reduce losses significantly.
Why do meteorological departments always say ‘expect warm but comfortable highs’ when 34°C is not comfortable for many elderly people?
Because comfort is subjective, Maya. But public health messaging should highlight heat risks for vulnerable groups.
Yes — pair forecasts with health advice like hydration and shade for elders. It’s common sense and often overlooked.
Marine advisories should be mandatory for ferries, not optional. I worry about enforcement especially in remote routes.
Agreed. Enforcement and viable alternatives for stranded travelers would discourage risky departures.
But politicians love to delay closures because of careers and votes; that’s the ugly reality.
That closing line about ‘Thailand’s cool flirting with winter’ is poetic but downplays how disruptive weather swings can be for daily life.
Journalists love a good metaphor, Eve, but closet realities are harsher for commuters and low-income workers.
Exactly — we should balance evocative language with practical guidance so readers know how to prepare.
Quick note: when the sea gets rough, local fish markets fill with cheaper catch because boats come in early or dump unsold fish. It’s bittersweet.
That’s an interesting economic effect — lower prices for consumers but worse income for fishers. Market mechanics are cruel sometimes.
And consumers should be informed if fish are from stressed or storm-impacted catches; quality matters.
Fog and cool air are great for motorcycle commuters if they slow down, but few do. Enforcement of speed limits would help.
Speed cameras exist but people still take risks. Culture change is slow; education and penalties both matter.
I love morning walks when it’s cool, but the air quality sometimes worsens under temperature inversions. Anyone else notice that?
Temperature inversions trap pollutants near the surface, Layla. It’s a real health concern and often coincides with calm, cool mornings.
I use a cheap air sensor and I can confirm — mornings can be worse for PM2.5 even if temperatures feel nice.
Isolated thundershowers in the South mean unpredictable irrigation needs and sometimes crop disease outbreaks. Extension services should focus there now.
Yes, targeted support and disease monitoring after storms would prevent cascading losses for smallholders.
Local cooperatives could pool resources for rapid response, but they need initial funding and training.
Why is everyone so scared of a little rain and waves? People survive monsoons every year, let’s not overreact.
Aly, preparedness is not fear; it’s risk management. Underestimating storms costs lives and livelihoods.
Also, some communities are disproportionately affected. What seems like minor disruption to you can be devastating to others.
Final thought: can the TMD provide more localized forecasts for farmers and fishers? That practical step would help a lot.
It’s a great ask. Investment in localized forecasting and translation into action plans should be a priority.
I support that. Science should be actionable, not just informative — tailor the output to user needs and decision points.
I just want to say I appreciate the tips about layers and checking advisories. Small habits keep me safe and comfortable.
Same here. A scarf has saved me from shivers more than once on foggy commutes.