JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 13 — Malaysia needs to brace itself for the Super El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to bring scorching weather between March and May next year, potentially breaking the country's record high temperature of 40.1°C.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the country's maximum temperature could exceed 41°C, based on analysis of the current intense El Nino phenomenon, alongside the impacts of climate change and global warming.
“If we look at current climate change trends, the rate of temperature increase in the country is approximately 0.13°C per decade.
“It has been nearly 30 years since 1998, when combined with the temperature spikes associated with El Niño, the increase could exceed one degree Celsius above the 40.1°C record set back then. We anticipate that temperatures reaching 41°C or higher are likely to occur. That is our projection,” he said.
Hisham was speaking at a media conference following the National Climate Forum 2026 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia today. The forum, themed “Preparedness Today, Resilience Tomorrow,” drew over 500 participants from various government departments and ministries.
Malaysia previously recorded its highest-ever temperature of 40.1°C in Chuping, Perlis, on April 9, 1998, during the 1997/1998 El Niño episode, while the peak temperature during the 2015/2016 episode was 39.3°C, recorded in Batu Embun, Pahang, on April 10, 2016.
He added that the current El Nino is projected to record an index exceeding 2.5, surpassing the peak level of 2.3 recorded during the 1997/1998 and 2015/2016 episodes.
During strong El Nino events, daily maximum temperatures can rise by up to 0.7°C above normal, while temperatures exceeding 35°C are expected to occur more widely and for longer periods.
The previously recorded scenario of up to 77 consecutive days without rain could recur, particularly in the northern states of the Peninsula, due to this El Nino phenomenon.
“Previous records show that this condition can begin at the end of the year, with a lack of rainfall starting in December and continuing through January and February, before rain returns around March,” Hisham said.
In this regard, he emphasised that the 2026/2027 northeast monsoon, currently forecast to begin in late October, is crucial to ensuring dams receive sufficient rainfall and water storage levels are boosted before the country faces drier weather next year.
“We must ensure all our dams are full before next year begins. In terms of water sources, the northeast monsoon brings significant rainfall, and we hope this rain will fill all the dams,” Hisham said.
This measure aligns with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's directive to prepare early for water supply and storage ahead of next year's hot and dry spell.
He also expressed concern regarding the anticipated rise in electricity consumption during next year's hot weather, particularly due to the expected increase in air conditioner usage.
“Energy consumption will be high during the hot months next year. Therefore, regarding the energy grid, we must ensure there is sufficient capacity. A lack of preparedness could lead to disruptions and compromise the grid,” Hisham said.
MetMalaysia has informed relevant agencies of this forecast, and the matter will be raised at the Disaster Management Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next week.
He also noted that MetMalaysia is collaborating with the Health Ministry to develop a Heat Index. This will establish threshold values used to warn the public about health risks associated with hot weather.
He explained that the current hot weather monitoring system classifies temperatures of 35°C and above as Level One, 37°C and above as Level Two, and 40°C and above as Level Three.
