Indonesia’s Tropical Heat Unlike Europe’s Extreme Heat Waves

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) emphasized that the extreme heat wave currently hitting Europe is unlikely to occur in Indonesia.

However, people will still experience very hot temperatures typical of a tropical climate, especially during the dry season.

BMKG Deputy for Climatology, Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, said air temperatures in Indonesia can reach 35–36 degrees Celsius in some areas. This differs from Europe, where heat waves have pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.

“According to our analysis, the chance of a temperature spike like the one in Europe is unlikely to happen in Indonesia. But that doesn’t mean we won’t experience high temperatures,” Sena said in an interview with Pro3 RRI on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

He explained that Indonesia’s geographic characteristics, being surrounded by oceans, act as a natural buffer against extreme temperature spikes. “The reason is that we are surrounded by many oceans with high waves. These waves act as a buffer, preventing temperature spikes like those currently occurring in Europe,” he said.

High humidity in Indonesia can make the weather feel hotter, but it also reduces the likelihood of drastic spikes like those in Europe.

Sena added that daytime temperatures during the dry season generally range from 30 to 33 degrees Celsius, with some areas such as East Nusa Tenggara reaching 36 degrees Celsius. Even so, these conditions do not meet the criteria for a heat wave.

He noted that a hallmark of a heat wave is persistently high nighttime temperatures, which prevent the body from recovering and increase health risks. “Another characteristic of a heat wave is that the temperature doesn’t drop at night. In Indonesia, however, the temperature drops in the afternoon, allowing us to recover,” he said.

Although the likelihood of an extreme heat wave remains low, BMKG has observed an upward trend in average temperatures, rising about 0.3 degrees Celsius per decade.

Sena warned that vigilance is needed, as the combination of high temperatures and humidity can increase health risks.

As a precaution, BMKG has developed a heat early warning system in several major cities, including Jakarta, and plans to expand it gradually. The agency also urged the public to limit outdoor activities during the day and avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.

“Those who must be outside during the day should wear head protection and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. They should also reduce prolonged outdoor activities because not only heat but also prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can damage the skin,” Sena said. (Misni Parjiati)