The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has announced a delay in the onset of the Northeastern Monsoon this year. In a social media post, the Met Office stated that while the Northeastern Monsoon typically begins during the second or third week of December in the northern and central regions, this year has seen a deviation from the norm.
The Northeastern Monsoon generally extends to all regions of the country by January. However, the Met Office noted an unusual delay this season, with the monsoon only beginning on 2 January 2025.
The official declaration of the Northeastern Monsoon's commencement occurs when the wind direction shifts to the east, and gusts reach speeds of 10 nautical miles. Current weather conditions observed across the Maldives are expected to persist for the next two consecutive days, the Met Office reported.