PETALING JAYA: Following a series of evening downpours that began last month, weather experts are expecting Peninsular Malaysia to be drier in the coming weeks.

       However, Sabah and Sarawak are not out of the woods, as the two states are set to have wetter weeks in January and February.

       Universiti Malaya’s Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said Malaysia was currently at the tail end of the Northeast monsoon.

       “February is set to be a drier period for Peninsular Malaysia, but not for Sabah and Sarawak.

       “The two states tend to have their wetter months in January and February,” he said.

       Citing data by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Centre, he said the La Nina phenomenon had caused a surge of 10% to 20% in rainfall for Malaysia.

       “As of now till Jan 15 in Peninsular Malaysia, we are clear of any major mesoscale cloud clusters (major thunderstorms) and hence flood threats,” added Prof Azizan.

       Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia climatologist Prof Dr Fredolin Tangang noted that Malaysia would still be in the northeast monsoon season till early February.

       “Extreme weather should be less likely in Peninsular Malaysia, but in Sabah and Sarawak, heavy rains can still occur in February,” he said.

       Floods triggered by days of continuous downpour between Dec 17 and 19 have displaced thousands of people across the country, including in the Klang Valley.