The weather and climate of tropical Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu

Abstract

This study investigates the trend of weather and climate in Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu State based on seasonal monsoons utilizing nearest meteorological station of Kuala Terengganu. Data from 1985 to April 2016 was used to describe the physical environment of Kenyir Lake in terms of rainfall amount (mm), relative humidity (%), ambient temperature (°C), MSL pressure (hPa), and wind speed (m/s) and wind direction (degrees). The data was first divided by different monsoon seasons faced by Kuala Terengganu; Southwest Monsoon (SWM), Northeast Monsoon (NEM) and Inter Monsoon (IM). There exists significant different (p < 0.05) during these three monsoon seasons for rainfall amount, ambient temperature, and MSL pressure. Conversely, relative humidity shows no significant different between the monsoon seasons. Rainfall amount, relative humidity and MSL pressure noted high intensity during NEM with an increment of 250.1 mm, 0.3%, and 2.2 hPa from SWM and by 189.2 mm, 0.2%, and 1.3 hPa from IM, respectively. Meanwhile, there was a decrease of ambient temperature during NEM by 1.1 °C from SEM and 0.8 °C from IM. Prevailing wind direction was noticed from NE direction with mean value of 3.5 m/s. In conclusion, regardless of any monsoon seasons, there is no significant change in relative humidity variation, but rainfall amount, ambient temperature and MSL pressure shows significant change for each and every monsoon. The understanding of indigenous community on the changing of monsoon seasons might help them in early preparation for foods and other materials for their own survival and festive activities.