Indonesia’s dry season has taken an unexpected turn, with a surge of cold air blanketing the usually warm southern regions.
This phenomenon, known locally as “mbedhidhing,” has transformed landscapes and attracted curious visitors seeking a taste of winter amidst the tropics.
The Dieng Plateau in Central Java has been the star of the show, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -1°C. This is a dramatic departure from its usual range of 12-20°C.
The frosty mornings and evenings have transformed the popular tourist destination, coating everything in a sparkling layer of frost.
The chill isn’t confined to the Dieng Plateau. Mount Bromo National Park in East Java has also seen its iconic black sand dunes dusted white by frost.
Residents across West Java, Yogyakarta, and even Bali have reported feeling the cold snap, with temperatures dropping by 3-4°C compared to usual.
Bandung in West Java shivered at a cool 16°C, a significant dip from its average July temperature of 18°C. Yogyakarta experienced a similar drop, with temperatures ranging between 19-23°C, far below its yearly average of 26°C.
The culprit behind this unexpected chill is the cold monsoon winds blowing in from Australia, currently experiencing the peak of winter.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) assures residents that this is a common phenomenon during the dry season.
These cold air masses, coupled with the lack of heat-trapping clouds typical of the dry season, cause temperatures to plummet at night. Clouds act like a natural blanket, regulating Earth’s temperature.
During the day, they reflect sunlight, cooling the planet, while at night they trap heat radiating from the ground, keeping things warm.
The BMKG predicts that mbedhidhing will continue through the peak dry season in July and August, potentially lingering into September.
Mountainous regions across Java, such as the Bromo mountains, and high-altitude areas like Wonosobo, Temanggung, Lembang, and Bandung, are expected to experience the most drastic temperature drops.
