Cold spell takes people by surprise

KUALA LUMPUR: Over the past two days, the people in many parts of the country have been talking about the weather.
The mercury has dropped and some people have had to put on a jacket.
Kuala Pilah in Negri Sembilan was among the places that registered a low 21°C since midnight, very much lower than the normal 31 to 32 °, according to the Meteorological Department.
Cameron Highlands reportedly recorded 15°C today.
Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari said the cold weather was the usual phenomenon during the period of the northeast monsoon, from Nov to March.
"An overcast sky, incessant rain and the cold monsoon wind are among the factors for the cold weather in several peninsular states since yesterday.
"This cold weather occurs mainly in the interior and inland areas. Between midnight and early today, the meteorological stations in southern peninsular Malaysia recorded a minimum 22°C and a maximum 25°C compared to the normal 30 to 31°C," he said when contacted by Bernama.
Alui said the situation also occurred because it was cloudy and drizzling in several states such as Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and there was moderate rain in Pahang and Johor.
"However, the states in northern peninsular Malaysia did not experience a drop in temperature," he said, adding that the weather was expected to return to normal after the rain eases off. — Bernama