Southwest Monsoon Onset Marks End of Northeast Monsoon in the Maldives

News

The Southwest (Hulhan'gu) monsoon has officially begun in the southern atolls of the Maldives, marking the end of the Northeast (Iruvai) monsoon. The Maldives Meteorological Office (MET Office) confirmed yesterday that the Southwest monsoon commenced in the southern atolls on May 7, 2025, in line with the usual transition between the two monsoon seasons.

The Southwest monsoon typically makes its impact first felt in the southern atolls during the first or second week of May, before gradually spreading to the central and northern regions of the country by the end of the month. Last year, the Southwest monsoon began on May 9 in the southern atolls, while it reached the central atolls by May 14, and the northern atolls on May 17.

Onset Criteria for the Southwest Monsoon

The onset of the Southwest monsoon is determined by specific weather conditions, including the occurrence of rainfall greater than 2.5mm, southwest to westerly winds, and surface wind speeds greater than 10 knots. These conditions must persist for two or more consecutive days after May 1 to officially mark the beginning of the monsoon.

Delayed Northeast Monsoon

This year, the Northeast monsoon arrived later than usual. Typically starting by the end of December, the Northeast monsoon began in January 2025, instead of its traditional earlier start. The Northeast monsoon season lasts from January to March, while the Southwest monsoon spans May to November.

As the Maldives transitions into the Southwest monsoon, the weather is expected to be characterized by increased rainfall, higher winds, and an overall shift in climatic patterns, impacting the country's overall weather and sea conditions throughout the monsoon period.