Wondering Why It's So Damn Hot Lately? Here's What's Going On
Actually, this is what regular heat might look like from now on. Welcome to the new normal.
Cover image via If you've been stepping outside lately and immediately regretting your life choices, nope, it's not just you.
The heat in the Peninsular Malaysia right now is no joke.
Late May 2025 has been a scorcher.
And it's not just the usual Malaysian sun to blame for these sauna-like conditions.
It's a mix of our usual weather patterns getting an extra "kick" — the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) issued a Level 1 heatwave alert yesterday, 28 May — and the city itself literally cooking us.
Let's break down why you've been sweating and melting more than usual.
We officially entered the Southwest Monsoon season on 10 May
That means winds blowing in from the southwest, drier air, and fewer rain clouds.
More sunshine = hotter days. Basic math.
You might still see early-morning thunderstorms, like this morning, 29 May, known as "squall lines" — a line of thunderstorms that can dump heavy rain, especially along the west coast.
But overall, it's a season built for excessive heat, and is expected to continue until September.
In fact, from July to September, which is the peak of the season, there is a possibility of local and cross-border haze if open burning activities are not effectively managed, METMalaysia warned.
Google Weather has never shown this excessive heat warning before May for this author.
Image via Sadho/SAYS
And if you're in the Klang Valley, and feeling like you're living inside a furnace, we have the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect to thank for it
Cities like Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumper, and Selangor are covered in concrete, asphalt, and buildings that soak up and hold onto heat during the day and slowly release it at night. Add in heat from cars — which we have more of than people, air conditioners, construction, and barely any green space, and it's like a furnace.
And it's not just a theory, it's backed by data.
According to a 2023 study, the temperature difference between urban KL and nearby rural spots could be a whopping 16.1°C to 26.73°C in 2021. Even in 2004, the Klang Valley's UHI effect was already adding up to 5.5°C to ambient temps.
But it's not just us. Literally the whole region is baking, with Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines all reporting unusually high temperatures as well.
So, what's fueling this regional heat?
Weak La Niña: Earlier this year, we had a La Niña, which usually cools things down. This one, though? Total flop. Not strong enough to make a difference.
Climate change: Scientists have been warning for years that even without El Niño, our baseline temps are rising. This heatwave is just a taste of what "normal" might look like moving forward.
Humidity = suffering: When it's 35°C and the humidity is hovering around 80%, it feels way worse. Your body can't cool down properly, so you just… marinate in your own sweat.
Image via Tenor
Everything above is happening against a backdrop of a planet that's steadily heating up.
Malaysia, especially the west coast, has seen long-term warming trends over the past decades.
And here's the scary part: This current heat isn't even driven by a major El Niño. It's happening without the usual heat amplifiers. Which tells us one thing — the baseline has shifted.
Image via Climate Central
So, how hot are we talking?
In late May 2025, temperatures in the Klang Valley have been hovering around 34°C to 35.6°C, which is a few degrees above the historical May averages of approximately 32.9°C to 33.1°C.
On 28 May, METMalaysia issued a Level 1 heatwave alert for several areas, including Petaling in Selangor, as temperatures reached between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days.
While we haven't reached the Level 2 heatwave criteria — temperatures above 37°C for three straight days — the current conditions are still uncomfortably hot and above what we'd normally expect.
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has also predicted above-normal temperatures for our region for May to July 2025, indicating that this heat may persist.
