Here at The Bali Sun, we’ve just been discussing how it kind of felt like the rainy season was never going to end.
With Bali and Indonesia experiencing one of the most devastating rainy seasons in living memory over the last six months, there is a gentle sigh of relief being released across the archipelago as the dry season comes upon us.
The dry season isn’t all easy news, however. The sudden rise in temperatures, increased UV, and the risk of drought all pose serious threats to those on the island. Meteorological specialists in Bali are already warning local residents and tourists about the heightened risk of UV exposure.
Made Sudarma Yadnya, a forecaster at the Denpasar Region III Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BBMKG), said several factors contribute to Bali feeling exceptionally hot over the last few days.
Yadnya explained that as March approaches, the sun is moving toward the equator. As a result, all sunlight hitting Indonesia, including Bali, comes at a more perpendicular angle, increasing the heat impact on the Earth’s surface.
He shared, “This increases the intensity of solar radiation, which also increases the Earth’s surface temperature, especially during the day.” With temperatures reaching 33-35 degrees in Central Denpasar over the last few days, the heat is expected to persist into April. However, the dry season has yet to officially be declared.
Yadnya explained, “Even though the heat is dominant, heavy rain can still occur for short periods.” He warned the public to make use of UV protective equipment such as sunscreen, hats, or umbrellas. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining fluid intake to avoid dehydration.
The potential for rapidly changing weather during this transitional period must be taken into account; sudden heavy rains are also not uncommon during the seasonal transition.
Tourists traveling to Bali are advised to check in with us here at The Bali Sun on a regular basis, as we report on weather warnings and extreme forecasts. It is also advisable to follow the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BBMKG) on Instagram, where regular tourist weather forecasts are shared in English, with basic forecasts for the island’s top resorts.
It is also a good idea to check in on the sea forecast too, especially if planning on visiting the beach to swim, surf, snorkel, or dive, or even travel between Bali and the outlying islands or Lombok by boat.
Although this rainy season has been devastating to so many communities across Bali and around Indonesia, the dry season looks set to bring about a series of issues of its own. Earlier this month, officials from the BMKG announced that most parts of Indonesia are predicted to enter the dry season in 2026 earlier than the climatological average.
Speaking to reporters, Head of BMKG, Teuku Faisal Fathani, explained that monitoring of global climate anomalies in the Pacific Ocean shows that the ENSO index is currently at -0.28 or in a neutral condition and is expected to last until June 2026.
He shared “Regions predicted to experience an earlier onset of the dry season include most of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, southern and eastern Kalimantan, most of Sulawesi, Maluku, and parts of Papua.”
Adding “All of this predictive information constitutes an early warning that must be immediately followed up with concrete steps (early action) by stakeholders to minimize the risk of drought in Indonesia.”
There are concerns that an extreme dry season could impact farming communities the worst, with drought impacting crop production. Many parts of Indonesia regularly experience clean water shortages, including popular tourist destinations like the Gili Islands.
The Gili Islands, which are technically part of Lombok, are a popular destination for Bali tourists.
Travelers to the outlying islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air are always advised to be mindful of their water consumption during their visit to the island, and it is advisable to carry water sanitization droplets or a full-spectrum water filter, like a LifeStraw, too.
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