Storm Warning in Malacca Strait

Created by webmaster. Last modified on 2002-08-19 00:50:44
Contributors: Capt Zainal
Countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

Sailors passing through the Malacca Strait need to be aware of the existence of a local weather phenomenon that is commonly called here the "Sumaterans". The warning is quite short compared to other depression-like weather phenomena elsewhere in the world.

An hour before it hits you, you will see a distinctive very low dark cumulonimbus-type cloud over the western horizon. It is followed by strong and gusty Westerly force 8 (gale force) wind about 30-40 knots which eventually will die out about two hours later accompanied by a heavy downpour. A lot of mariners in the past have been caught off-guard by this little talked-about phenomenon.