Warning Issued for Three Provinces to Prepare for 2026 Summer as Temperatures Expected to Soar Above 42°C

The Meteorological Department has declared the start of Thailand's 2026 summer season beginning 22 Feb 2026 GMT+7 and issued a warning to three provinces to watch out for heat-related dangers, with temperatures expected to reach 42°C.

On 19 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Meteorological Department officially announced the start of Thailand's “2026 summer season” beginning 22 Feb 2026 GMT+7, forecasting that this year's heat will be slightly higher than last year.

The average maximum temperature in upper Thailand is expected to be 36-37°C (normal is 35.4°C). Some areas in the North could experience extreme heat exceeding 42°C, requiring caution for heat hazards in Mae Hong Son, Lampang, and Tak provinces.

Weather forecast details

Early to mid-March

• Hot weather in many areas during daytime
• The North and Northeast will still have cool mornings
• Occasional summer storms may occur

Late March to mid-April

• Hot and sultry weather nearly everywhere
• Some areas will experience extreme heat
• Maximum temperatures of 42-43°C mostly in the North
• Occasional summer storms may occur

Late April to mid-May

• Transition period between seasons
• Unstable weather conditions
• Intermittent hot and sultry weather with increased thunderstorms

Southern region (March to late April)

• Thunderstorms expected over 20-30% of the area
• Waves in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea around 1 meter high

Southern region (May)

• Rainfall increases and becomes continuous
• On the west coast of the South, rain covers 60-80% of the area with some heavy downpours
• Andaman Sea waves rise to 2-3 meters
• Gulf of Thailand waves reach 1-2 meters.