The cold weather phenomenon that is currently affecting Kelantan and Peninsular Malaysia marked the move of the Southwest Monsoon season to Sabah and Sarawak.

The Meteorological Department’s, National Weather Centre senior meteorological officer, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said, the rains have now shifted to East Malaysia and it can be likened to the phenomenon that is currently affecting the Middle East.

“Not only in Kelantan, but the phenomenon is also affecting Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and the whole of Peninsular Malaysia.

“The rains have shifted to Sabah and Sarawak. Currently we are witnessing less clouds in the skies which means the earth’s heat will be dissipated more quickly,” he told Astro AWANI here today.

Mohd Hisham added the unusual cold weather phenomenon hit Kelantan three days ago.

It is said to have affected flood victims in Kuala Krai housed in temporary tents outside their homes, where they have taken to wearing socks and thick blankets.

The phenomenon had affected Kuala Krai early last year where temperatures fell to 17.2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile Mohd Hisham said, the rapid fall in temperature indicates there is less cloud coverage in the area.

“This will cause a rapid fall in temperature. Clouds act as a blanket and without it temperatures will fall rapidly,” he said.