Today's weather for Krabi, Thailand21st Nov 2009 14:00

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Weather Overview for Krabi

Krabi, made up of 130 islands, is one of Thailand’s southern provinces, lying off the east of Phuket in the waters of the Andaman Sea. The region has two seasons: a rainy season, which runs from May till October, and a dry season, which runs from November to April. Krabi is humid and hot all year round; the temperature generally sits around the 30’s with occasional cooler days brought on by rainfall. Minor respite from the heat is to be found at night time, though the drop in temperature is often negated by a rise in humidity. The dry season is the high season for tourism.

The Krabi province is probably most well known for being the setting of ‘The Beach’, the 2000 film starting Leonardo Di Caprio. The film was shot on the island of Koh Phi Phi Le, centred around the stunning Maya Bay. Koh Phi Phi Le is the smaller sister island to Koh Phi Phi, which incidentally was the area worst hit by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. The entire region suffered dramatic damage at the hands of the Indian Ocean tsunami. The reconstruction effort has been quick and impressive but signs of damage are still visible in the worst hit areas.

DRY SEASON (November- April)

The dry season in Krabi is the busiest time of the year with a peak in December and January; crowding, accommodation, food and transport costs are also at their highest. Tourist crowds are smart(ish) and flood in to take advantage of the absence of rain and lower humidity. November is a good time to visit as the heat is at its lowest and the southwest monsoon winds recede considerably. November is not as busy as December when the Christmas and New Year crowds arrive. However, it is subject to the tail end of the wet season’s rain storms. From December to February the islands are blessed with idyllic weather conditions: flat seas, clear skies with plenty of sun and a refreshing sea breeze. In mid January the Christmas and New Year crowds tend to thin out. However, temperatures creep up from an average high of 30 degrees in November to their highest level of 34 degrees in March and April. While humidity levels are relatively low, they are not low enough to make even the ‘cool’ 30 degree heat of November easy to acclimatise to. Humidity increases as the season progresses, exacerbating discomfort but not reaching the oppressive conditions of the wet season.

The sea temperature for the period is bath-like as always. While it is still a refreshing break from sweltering heat, you won’t get cold from staying in too long. The sea around the islands is incredibly clear and offers some incredible snorkelling and diving sites. This is the best time of year for these activities as underwater visibility distances are at their highest. This is due to the calmer waters and clear skies. However, the uninterrupted sunshine also means the flourishing of plankton populations which can affect water clarity from around mid March.

RAINY SEASON (May- October)

The entire season sees periods of sunshine interrupted frequently by heavy downpours. The average high temperature sits at 31 degrees with night time lows around 24 degrees. Rainfall is particularly intense in May and October. June see periods of phase 1 monsoon winds, rough seas and rain which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to visit some of the outer islands. The strong winds die down in July and August and the weather becomes slightly clearer; if you plan to travel to the area during the wet season, this is when to come. September brings phase 2 monsoon winds which ease come late October.

On the whole, the wet season is unpredictable; you are just as likely to be met with long periods of clear skies and sunny weather as you are with over a week of heavy rain and thick cloud. What is predictable is the soaring humidity that makes the heat very uncomfortable. If you are interested in jungle trekking, temple visits, diving or kayaking, visiting in this period should not be ruled out. While even these activities are somewhat hindered by high humidity and storms, they are less affected than beach-lounging. Again, unpredictability is characteristic and if you’re willing to take a gamble, you may find you are rewarded with seemingly endless sun-filled days. If you are lucky enough to have a prolonged period of sunshine, you may find yourself enjoying the utopian beaches in blissful solitude.

The plus-side of visiting Krabi during the rainy season is the same as any location during its low season: there are fewer tourists and transport and accommodation are cheaper. The low season is seen as a time to experience a more ‘authentic’ Krabi as the locals are friendlier, the beaches are less crowded and the greenery and wildlife abundant. The rainforest is always bursting with vitality but the heavy rains give rise to an accelerated period of growth and new life. In recent years the Thailand Tourism Authority has been promoting the rainy season as the more appealing ‘Green Season’ in an attempt to spread tourism throughout the year rather than cramming all the visitors in between the more popular months of December to March. As the Thailand Tourism Authority’s scheme takes effect, the benefits of travelling in the low season diminish.

Monsoon Winds

The monsoon winds are the main determinant of Krabi’s climate as the speed and direction of the winds affects the temperature, rainfall and cloud cover of each region. The north-eastern monsoon winds affect the region from December through till March. The north-easterly winds create dry air streams which results in tranquil clear blue skies. When the Monsoon winds change directions cooler temperatures and showers occur, this is generally around June and September.

Tsunami

Many tourists have been scared away from the region in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. The region has since been rehabilitated, helped by the $7 billion in aid and donations that was received. Tsunami’s are caused by underwater earthquakes displacing overlying water, sending waves across the ocean that build in size and momentum, causing catastrophic damage if they reach the coast. The earthquake that caused the 2004 tsunami was the second largest ever recorded in the region.

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