CLIMATE OF INDONESIA
Straddling the equator, Indonesia is a tropical country with a wet, hot, humid climate the entire year, with high temperatures often in the 90s F during the day and the steamy 70s F at night. Cooler temperatures prevail in the highlands. The humidity is usually between 70 and 90 percent. The only relief is air conditioned buildings, which are not as plentiful as in the West. Indonesians have a much higher tolerance for heat and lower tolerance for cold than Westerners. In the mountains, on what seem like a warm day, you see Indonesians bundled in heavy coats. In sweltering places they don’t even use fans.
Indonesia is south of the typhoon belt—which affects the Philippines, Vietnam, China and Japan—and north of the cyclone belt, which affects Australia. Since Indonesia is so close to the Equator and is surrounded by so much water its climate is characterized as marine equatorial or “doldrums” type, with light winds and frequent thunderstorms, which in turn is modified by monsoon winds and the mountains.
Temperatures and rainfall vary across the archipelago because of elevation and monsoon patterns. Average temperatures at or near sea level range from about 23̊C to 31̊C (73̊F to 88̊F). The main variable in Indonesia’s climate is not temperature or air pressure but rainfall. The almost uniformly warm waters that make up 81 percent of Indonesia’s area ensure that temperatures on land remain fairly constant. Temperatures average 28˚C (82̊F) on the coastal plains, 26˚C (73̊F) in inland and mountain areas, and 23˚ C in the higher mountain regions. Winds are moderate and generally predictable; monsoons usually blow in from the south and east between June and September and from the northwest between December and March. [Source: Library of Congress]
The average yearly rainfall in Indonesia is approximately 200 centimetres (78 inches). Annual rainfall in lowland areas averages 180–320 centimetres (70–125 inches), increasing with elevation to an average of 610 centimetres (240 inches) in some mountainous regions. In the lowlands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, rainfall ranges from 305 to 370 centimetres (120 to 145 inches), diminishing southward towards the northwest Australian desert. Average humidity is 82 percent. [Source: Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations, Thomson Gale, 2007]
The tropical climate, abundant rainfall and fertile volcanic soils of Indonesia allow large agricultural yields. Volcanoes also fertile soils that nourish support communities within range of their ash, which replenishes the fertility of soil that would otherwise be washed away by the heavy rainfalls. [Source: Jill Forshee, Culture and Customs of Indonesia, Greenwood Press, 2006).
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Weather in Indonesia
Indonesia is one the rainiest places on earth. The west coast of Sumatra get above 400 centimeters (13.1 feet) of rain a year. Other places that receive a lot of rain include northwest Kalimantan, West Java, Papua and some parts of Sulawesi. Other islands such as Sumba and Timor receive relatively small amounts of rain. Temperatures are determined by elevation and nearness to the sea. The temperatures are generally cooler on the coast and in the mountains than there they are in the interior and in the lowlands.
In Indonesia, altitude rather than season affects temperature. The average annual temperature of about 27° C 80° F).. At sea level, the mean annual temperature is approximately 25–27 °C (77–81 °F). There is slight daily variation in temperature, with the greatest variation occurring at inland locations and at higher elevations. The mean annual temperature in Jakarta is 26°C (79°F), with an average annual rainfall of around 200 centimetres (79 inches).
Temperatures in Jakarta generally range from 23°C (73°F) to 33°C (91°F). The average humidity is 82 percent, rising to 83 percent or 84 percent during the wet season. It rains about 125 days a year. The average temperature in January is 26.2̊C (79.2̊F). The temperature in July: 26.7̊C (80.1̊F)
The air temperature changes little from season to season or from one region to the next, but cooler temperatures prevail at higher elevations. Temperatures in Jakarta generally range from 23°C (73°F) to 33°C (91°F). In general, temperatures drop approximately 1˚ C per 90 meters of increase in elevation from sea level; night frosts occur in some high interior mountain regions. The highest mountain ranges in Papua are permanently capped with snow.
During the a hotter, drier season from April to November temperatures typically reach 31̊C (91̊F) and humidity ranges from 50 to 90 percent. Indonesians have traditionally taken a mid-day break from activities, much like the Spanish siesta. At the hottest time of day (between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.), people return from the fields, businesses close, and many sleep. [Source: Jill Forshee, “Culture and Customs of Indonesia”, Greenwood Press, 2006]
Monsoons, Wet and Dry Seasons in Indonesia
There are two major seasons in Indonesia—1) the hot dry season and 2) the rainy monsoon season. The wet season for most of Indonesia is from September to March and the dry season is from March or June (depending on the area) to September. But the times of these season varies from place to place because western Indonesia, eastern Indonesia, and Borneo are all influenced by different monsoon wind patterns. The rainy season is different than the one in Southeast Asia and India, which usually lasts from May to September.
From November to May winter monsoon winds blow in from the northeast and brings moisture from the South China Sea and the Pacific to north and northeast Indonesia while land on the sheltered southern side of the mountains have a dry season. From June to October the summer monsoon that brings rains to India also brings rain and winds from the south and southeast to the southern and western sides of Sumatra and Java. From central Java eastward the winds comes from Australia and they have little moisture and consequently this region is dry from June to October.
The wet season on Java is from September to March and the dry season is from March to September. The further south you go the later the monsoons begin and end—Sumatra (September to March), Java (October to April), Bali and Nusa Tengarra (November to May). Rains tend to fall in short afternoon downpours during the rainy season, when the countryside is lush and green and beautiful but the jungles are full of leeches and dirt roads in remote areas become impassable. In the dry season, road travel is easier but the countryside is often brown and dusty. Rainfall patterns can vary from island to island and within islands and are affected the mountains and prevailing winds, with the windward sides of mountains getting the most rain. Indonesia is not hit very often by typhoons because it lies south of the typhoon belt. Timor located south enough to be within the cyclone belt. But even so cyclones are rare there.
When a monsoon coincides with a volcanic eruption there is often serious trouble. Rains swollen with ash destroys crops and fields and bury house with volcanic sludge. Some families go to refugee camps; others stick it out and start again.
Monsoon Floods in Jakarta
During the monsoon season entire neighborhoods in Jakarta are routinely submerged under 30 centimeters of water. The monsoons can dump so much water that chest-deep water covered with little leaves fills the front yards of houses. Inside the house, families watch television in living rooms with water up to their knees. Many families are used to it. The main thing they have to watch out for is electrical shorts, which could fry the whole family. [Source: Priit Vesilind, National Geographic, December 1984]
In February 2002, 50 people were killed, including five in Jakarta, and 200,000 people were forced from their homes in Jakarta alone by floods caused by heavy overnight downpours. In Jakarta dead bodies were seen floating down the main river and one man was electrocuted to death. People whose homes were swamped sought refuge in mosques, schools, government offices, and even cemeteries. There were concerns that the presidential palace might be flooded.
The floods snarled traffic and brought the city to a virtual standstill. Major roads and national landmarks were under a meter of water. One area was under four meters of water. Waters flooded the lobby and ballroom of one posh hotel and submerged traffic lights. People hoarded food and long lines formed at supermarkets as people stocked up on foodstuffs, whose prices skyrocketed. Road, air, and rail service was disrupted. Factories, schools, and offices closed. Thousands of police and soldiers were deployed to distribute food.
City officials blamed the floods on abnormally high rainfall. Environmentalists said the rainfall amounts were not that high and that the floods were the result of corruption and poor planning, namely putting buildings on flood plains and developing green areas that would absorb water that instead swells rivers and streams.
“Insurers and reinsurers are also worried about dense concentrations of factories in other parts of Asia, particularly in and around the Indonesian capital Jakarta, where floods in 2005 and 2007 hit large areas. The low-lying coastal city has 13 rivers flowing through it, is subsiding in parts, and faces rising sea levels. It is the nation’s manufacturing base, with U.S., European, and Japanese firms operating factories.
Storms and Cyclones in Indonesia
The fierce typhoons of the South China Sea to the north of Indonesia and the cyclones of Australia lose their strength before reaching Indonesian waters or follow tracks that take them away from Indonesia. The gales that occasionally blow through the Torres Strait between Australia and New Guinea seldom travel beyond the southeasternmost islands of the archipelago. Consequently, the seas of Indonesia are generally calm.
Cyclones are rare in Indonesia but they do occur from time to time in the most southern islands near Australia. In April 2021, Tropical Cyclone Seroja caused severe flooding and landslides across parts of southeastern Indonesia and neighboring East Timor, leaving at least 97 people dead, thousands displaced, and many others missing. The cyclone developed over the Savu Sea and brought torrential rain, strong winds, and waves reaching as high as six meters. The disaster particularly affected islands in East Nusa Tenggara province, including Flores, Adonara, Lembata, and Timor, where entire communities were inundated by floodwaters and mudslides. [Source: Reuters, April 5, 2021]
Indonesian authorities launched emergency evacuation and rescue operations as rivers overflowed and flash floods swept through villages. However, relief efforts were hindered by damaged infrastructure, including collapsed bridges, blocked roads, fallen trees, and continuing severe weather. In several areas, floodwaters rose to between three and four meters, forcing residents to climb onto rooftops or seek higher ground. Many homes, roads, and public facilities were heavily damaged or destroyed.
Thousands of people were displaced by the disaster and were forced to take shelter in evacuation centers. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) estimated that tens of thousands of residents were affected by the floods and landslides. In some districts, strong currents continued to flow through villages days after the cyclone struck, complicating search-and-rescue efforts. Survivors described dramatic escapes from rising floodwaters, with some families tearing apart roofs or using ropes to climb to safety.
President Joko Widodo expressed condolences to the victims and ordered a rapid disaster response, including the delivery of emergency aid, evacuation assistance, and medical support. Indonesian military personnel, police, and rescue workers were deployed to affected areas to search for survivors and distribute supplies. Authorities also monitored the cyclone closely as forecasters warned that its intensity could strengthen before eventually moving away from Indonesian territory.
Tropical Cyclone Seroja was unusual because severe tropical cyclones rarely form so close to Indonesia’s equatorial waters. Meteorologists described it as one of the most destructive cyclones to hit the region in decades. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of eastern Indonesia’s mountainous islands to extreme weather, flash floods, and landslides, particularly during periods of intense rainfall associated with tropical storms.
Rainfall and Wind Patterns in Indonesia
Extreme variations in rainfall are linked with the monsoons. The dry season is influenced by the Australian continental air masses, and the rainy season is influenced by air masses from mainland Asia and the Pacific Ocean. Local conditions in Indonesia, however, can greatly modify these patterns, especially in the central islands of the Maluku group. This oscillating seasonal pattern of wind and rain is related to Indonesia’s geographic location as an archipelago between two continents and astride the equator. [Source: Library of Congress]
During the dry monsoon, high pressure over the Australian deserts moves winds from Australia toward the northwest. As the winds reach the equator, the Earth’s rotation causes them to veer off their original course in a northeasterly direction toward the Southeast Asian mainland. During the wet monsoon, a corresponding high-pressure system over the Asian mainland causes the pattern to reverse. The resultant monsoon is augmented by humid breezes from the Indian Ocean, producing significant amounts of rain throughout many parts of the archipelago.
Prevailing wind patterns interact with local topographic conditions to produce significant variations in rainfall throughout the archipelago. In general, the western and northern parts of Indonesia experience the most precipitation because the northward- and westward-moving monsoon clouds are heavy with moisture by the time they reach these more distant regions. The average annual rainfall for Indonesia is around 3,175 millimeters. Western Sumatra, Java, Bali, and the interiors of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua are the most consistently damp regions of Indonesia, with rainfall measuring more than 2,000 millimeters per year. In part, this moisture originates on certain high mountain peaks that, because of their location, trap damp air and experience more than 6,000 millimeters of rain a year. The city of Bogor, near Jakarta, has a high rainfall rate of 3,500 to 4,000 millimeters annually. On the other hand, the areas closest to Australia—including Nusa Tenggara and the eastern tip of Java— tend to be dry, with some areas experiencing less than 1,000 millimeters of rainfall per year. Some of the islands of southern Maluku experience highly unpredictable rainfall patterns, depending on local wind currents.
El Niño
Indonesia periodically experiences droughts, sometimes accompanied by devastating forest fires, caused by El Niño. The El Niño of 1997-98 produced a severe drought that created severe crop damage and food shortages in Papua New Guinea and parts of Indonesia. Worldwide hundreds of people died from famine, cholera and lack of clean drinking water during the 1997-98 El Niño.
El Niño is a periodic, recurring climate phenomenon caused by warming sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, disrupts normal weather patterns across Southeast Asia and often brings drier conditions to Indonesia. The climate condition occurs an average of every five years. It is strongest in the Pacific but has global ramifications. Caused when a dominate high pressure system over the Pacific collapses, it causes wind directions and ocean currents in the Pacific to change direction, throwing off prevailing winds and bringing drought to Indonesia, Southeast Asia, southern Africa and Australia, heavy rains and floods to Peru and east Africa, typhoons to Japan, stormy weather to the United States and disruptions to monsoons in India. [Source: Curt Suplee, National Geographic, March 1999]
The name El Niño (Spanish for "the Christ Child") was coined by Peruvian fishermen in the port of Callao north of Lima in early 1970s because the warm air and water associated with change usually first appeared around Christmas. In the 20th century there were 23 El Niños. During the 50 years period between 1950 and 2000, El Nino condition existed 31 percent of the time. Scientist have said that El Niños have been getting progressively worse. More powerful and far-reaching than originally suggested, the El Niño 0f 1982-83 was the strongest of century. It was still creating havoc in 1990s. After that El Niños have been more frequent. The 1997-98 El Niño was the worst on record.
El Niño’s Often Associated with Droughts and Fires
Indonesia experienced a particularly severe dry season in 2014 and there were concerns about forest and peatland fires could become worse than those experienced in 2013. Concerns were heightened by forecasts of a mild El Niño event, which was expected to bring drier-than-normal conditions across parts of the archipelago. Meteorologists predicted that the fire season would intensify during July and August, increasing the risk of widespread haze and environmental damage. [Source: Sara Schonhardt, Wall Street Journal, June 8, 2014]
The warnings followed major fires in Sumatra in 2013 that produced dense smoke and haze affecting Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Air pollution levels in neighboring countries rose to record highs as smoke drifted across the region. Fires also broke out again in central Sumatra in early 2014 during a period of extreme drought. The region is a major center of Indonesia’s palm oil and pulp-and-paper industries, both of which have been linked to large-scale land clearing and peatland degradation.
Environmental organizations stated that many fires were deliberately set to clear land for agriculture and plantation development. Peatlands, once drained and dried, become highly flammable during dry conditions and can burn for long periods underground. The combination of drought, land clearing, and degraded ecosystems created ideal conditions for recurring forest and peat fires. Small landholders and illegal plantation operators were frequently identified as contributors to the burning, although the fires often occurred within broader supply chains connected to larger companies.
El Nino Causes Inflation to Rise in Indonesia
Indonesia experienced rising inflationary pressures in late 2007 as El Niño-related dry weather reduced agricultural production and pushed up food prices, particularly the price of rice. In December 2007, the country’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 6.6 percent, up from 5.3 percent in November, according to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Bureau. The increase marked the first acceleration in inflation in seven months and exceeded economists’ expectations. Higher rice prices were identified as one of the principal causes of the increase. [Source: Berni Moestafa and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Bloomberg, January 3, 2007]
Reduced rainfall during the 2007 El Niño period affected harvests for millions of Indonesian rice farmers. Lower agricultural output tightened domestic rice supplies and caused staple food prices to rise sharply. Rice prices at Indonesia’s largest rice market in Jakarta increased from about 3,900 rupiah per kilogram at the end of October to around 4,600 rupiah per kilogram by December.
The increase in rice prices created broader concerns about inflation and economic stability because rice is the primary staple food for Indonesia’s large population. Economists warned that supply shortages could place upward pressure on prices if consumer demand continued to rise while agricultural production remained constrained. Indonesian officials also expressed concern that prolonged food price increases could generate supply-side inflation shocks across the economy.
The inflationary pressures complicated monetary policy decisions for Bank Indonesia, the country’s central bank. Throughout 2007, the central bank had been lowering interest rates to encourage economic growth, cutting its benchmark policy rate during several consecutive meetings. However, rising food prices and the threat of accelerating inflation raised concerns that future interest rate cuts might need to proceed more cautiously. Senior central bank officials stated that policymakers would continue monitoring inflation conditions closely before making further decisions on monetary policy.
To stabilize domestic rice supplies, the Indonesian government decided to increase rice imports through the first quarter of 2008. Officials stated that domestic stockpiles had been declining while the next major harvest season was not expected until March. The government estimated that Indonesia might need to import approximately 200,000 tons of rice per month to fill the supply gap caused by weaker harvests and rising domestic demand.
Drought in Indonesia
Droughts in Indonesia are recurring climatic events largely influenced by the Asian-Australian monsoon system and global climate patterns such as El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Indonesia normally experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, with the dry season generally lasting from May to October. During this period, rainfall decreases across much of the southern archipelago, particularly in Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. In years when El Niño develops in the Pacific Ocean, rainfall across Indonesia often declines significantly, increasing the likelihood of severe drought conditions. [Source: ReliefWeb, Jakarta Globe]
Indonesia is particularly susceptible to drought because of its large population and dependence on income from rice, cocoa, palm oil, coffee and other crops. The effects of drought become especially intense when El Niño coincides with a positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole. These combined climate phenomena suppress cloud formation and reduce the movement of moist air toward the Indonesian archipelago. As a result, the dry season may become longer and more severe than usual, causing substantial rainfall deficits across many regions. Such prolonged dry periods can disrupt agricultural production, reduce water supplies, and increase the risk of environmental disasters.
The impacts of drought vary considerably across Indonesia’s diverse regions. Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara are among the areas most vulnerable to meteorological and agricultural droughts because of their high population densities and dependence on seasonal rainfall for irrigation. Reduced rainfall often disrupts rice cultivation and limits access to clean water for households and farming communities. Water shortages in these regions can become severe during extended dry seasons, affecting both agriculture and daily life.
In Sumatra and Kalimantan, drought conditions are closely linked to forest and land fires, commonly referred to in Indonesia as Karhutla. Prolonged dry weather dries peatlands and forests, creating conditions in which fires can spread rapidly. These fires release large amounts of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and generate dense haze that affects air quality across Indonesia and neighboring countries. The haze has frequently caused public health concerns, transportation disruptions, and economic losses throughout Southeast Asia.
Not all parts of Indonesia experience drought in the same way. Some areas of eastern Indonesia, including parts of Sulawesi, Halmahera, and Maluku, may continue to receive substantial rainfall even while southern regions face severe dryness. This variation reflects the complexity of Indonesia’s climate system, which is shaped by monsoon patterns, ocean temperatures, and regional geography across the archipelago.
Indonesia has developed several mechanisms to monitor and respond to drought conditions. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) continuously observes climate patterns and issues seasonal forecasts and early warnings related to drought and wildfire risks. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) coordinates emergency responses in affected areas. Government measures often include the distribution of clean water supplies, support for affected communities, and efforts to control forest and land fires during prolonged dry seasons.
April 2024, the Hottest April in Indonesia in More Than 40 Years
Indonesia recorded its hottest April in more than four decades in 2024, according to officials from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The country experienced unusually high temperatures as much of Asia endured an intense regional heatwave that affected countries from India to the Philippines. The extreme heat contributed to health concerns, school closures, and growing fears over the broader impacts of climate change across the region. [Source: AFP, May 8, 2024]
BMKG reported that Indonesia’s average air temperature in April 2024 reached 27.74 degrees Celsius, the highest April average recorded since the agency began keeping comparable records in 1981. The figure surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by 0.1 degrees Celsius. It was also nearly one degree higher than the average April temperature of 26.85 degrees Celsius recorded during the 1991–2020 climate reference period. Officials stated that the increase reflected the combined influence of climate and environmental factors.
Scientists have linked rising global temperatures and increasingly severe heatwaves to climate change. Research has shown that heatwaves are becoming longer, more frequent, and more intense as greenhouse gas concentrations increase in the atmosphere. Globally, every month since June 2023 had ranked as the warmest on record at the time, according to European climate monitoring agencies. Across Asia in April 2024, more than 100 temperature records were reportedly broken in Vietnam, while Bangladesh and Myanmar also experienced record heat for the month.
BMKG officials noted that Indonesia’s higher temperatures were associated partly with the seasonal transition into the dry season, which typically brings reduced rainfall and hotter conditions. The agency stated that Indonesia was not experiencing the same type of extreme heatwave seen elsewhere in Asia, although temperatures remained unusually high. The El Niño climate pattern, which warms the Pacific Ocean and often contributes to hotter and drier conditions globally, had peaked earlier in the year and was also considered a contributing factor. The record heat highlighted Indonesia’s vulnerability to climate change.
Indonesia Employs Cloud Seeding to Keep Rains Away from Flooded Areas
Indonesian authorities carried out cloud-seeding operations in West Sumatra in an effort to prevent further heavy rainfall and flash floods after deadly flooding and landslides struck the region in May 2024. The disaster occurred after intense monsoon rains triggered floods, landslides, and flows of volcanic debris from Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. Rivers overflowed and swept through mountain villages in several districts of West Sumatra province late on Saturday night, causing widespread destruction. [Source: Kasparman Piliang and Niniek Karmini, Associated Press, May 15, 2024]
The floods and mudflows affected the districts of Agam, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang, and Padang Pariaman, as well as the provincial capital of Padang. Floodwaters and volcanic debris destroyed homes, submerged buildings, and forced more than 1,500 families to evacuate to temporary shelters. Indonesian disaster officials reported that at least 58 people had been killed, while dozens more were injured and another 35 were reported missing as rescue operations continued. Many of the victims were found buried in mud or carried away by overflowing rivers.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that additional heavy rainfall was forecast in the coming days, increasing fears of further flooding and landslides. In response, the government launched weather modification operations using cloud seeding technology. Indonesian Air Force aircraft dispersed salt particles into rain clouds in an effort to trigger precipitation before the clouds reached heavily affected areas. The process, known as cloud seeding, is designed to reduce the intensity of rainfall over disaster zones by causing clouds to release moisture earlier.
The cloud-seeding operations were conducted jointly by Indonesia’s Air Force and the national technology agency. Officials stated that large quantities of sodium chloride, or salt, had been prepared for multiple rounds of operations aimed at diverting rainfall away from vulnerable districts. Disaster management authorities said the emergency response period would continue through late May while rescue workers searched rivers, mud-covered villages, and damaged infrastructure for missing residents.
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons
Text Sources: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Library of Congress, Indonesia Tourism website (indonesia.travel), Indonesia government websites, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.
Last updated June 2026