We approach (in 7 days) the maximum direct solar heating of the year at latitude 13.75 (BKK) with the prospect of encountering this year the "most sweltering year in Bangkok ever", which case I will argue later. But for now, notice today that the dawn temperature, which I claim is the singlemost important indicator of perceived heat for the day, is about 29-30C( 84F) according to the excellent Netatmo weather map, which includes my own dawn reading of 29C (84F). Today is likely to be "the worst heat" for a long time from the human point of view. Although it has been claimed in the scientific literature that the hot season daily minimum temperature is higher in the big city than in rural areas, this fresh data from this morning suggest otherwise.If you dread tropical discomfort, look only at the 6 am temperature. More than 29C (84F) and you are not going to be happy unless you can find either aircon or more wisely local spots of radiant cooling at say T=25 (79F) or less.
Only when we go far afield and higher elevation do we get the reduced early am temperature, as at Nakhorn Ratchasima, where I have my farm. The data suggest (to my surprise) that heat island effects may not be as important as often believed.
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