At times, mercury in M’sia can drop below the norm

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is normally sunny and hot all year round, but over the years, there have been a number of rare occurrences where the mercury dropped below its normal levels in parts of the country.

One of the lowest temperatures was recorded in 2014 when parts of Kelantan experienced 17°C.

As for Kuala Pilah in Negri Sembilan, it registered 21°C in January 2018. This was much lower than the normal 31°C to 32°C .

A similar situation occurred in the Klang Valley when it experienced cool weather after the temperature dropped to 22ºC that same year.

Malaysians at that time expressed both shock and delight at the cool weather.

Most of them shared on social media about how much they loved the chilly weather.

Some even claimed the need to wear a jacket in a tropical country.

Also in 2018, the temperature in Cameron Highlands dipped to 15ºC with many people saying it felt like being in Europe.

Prior to that in 2017, temperatures in Kedah and Perlis recorded 20°C.

Also in 2017, unusual cold weather conditions swept certain parts in Sabah, especially Mount Kinabalu, freezing water in some places.

According to personnel on the mountain, water in holes in the Low’s Peak area became frozen and formed ice of 1cm thick.

Members of the Auxiliary Force Mountain Search and Rescue said the temperature at Laban Rata at dawn was about 5ºC.

It is believed that water in rock holes on the mountain became frozen between 2am and 4am on Feb 9, 2017, during which the temperature was likely to have dropped to 0°C.

Kinabalu Park manager Yassin Miki said that the incident was a rare occurrence but it was not the first as Mount Kinabalu also recorded similar incidents in 2018, 1993 and 1975.

It was also reported that a snowing incident in 1993 and 1975 accumulated to a depth of 10mm.

Another similar episode was recorded recently on April 7 this year when the peak area of Mount Kinabalu was reported to have seen temperatures at below freezing levels. The readings ranged from -3°C to -5°C.

According to information shared by Sabah Parks’ staff on Facebook, the low temperature was recorded between 2.30am and 7am.

It was said that the low temperature had caused water on the surface of rocks or wood to freeze up and form crystals or ice flakes starting from the Panalaban sub station area of Kinabalu Park up to the peak of the mountain.