MetMalaysia sounds thunderstorm warning for KL, Selangor, and six other regions

The Petronas Twin Towers are shrouded in rain clouds in Kuala Lumpur on November 18, 2025. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 13 Nov 2026 1:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has placed Kuala Lumpur, major Klang Valley districts, southern peninsular states, and extensive parts of Sabah on thunderstorm alert, forecasting torrential downpours and strong winds until 3:00 pm today.

The midday alert, issued at 12:00 pm, warns of fast-developing storm cells capable of causing flash floods, reduced road visibility, and localised wind damage during the early afternoon peak.

Across the peninsula, the adverse weather band blankets the central commercial belt. In Selangor, the warning covers the densely populated districts of Petaling, Klang, Gombak, Hulu Langat, and Kuala Selangor, alongside all of Kuala Lumpur.

Further south, unstable weather conditions stretch across Melaka and central Negeri Sembilan, where Seremban, Port Dickson, and Jelebu face heavy showers. In Johor, the advisory takes in a broad corridor spanning Johor Bahru, Kulai, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, and Mersing on the eastern coast.

Broad storm band across Sabah

In East Malaysia, convective cloud formations threaten multiple administrative divisions across Sabah. The weather warning encompasses Ranau along the West Coast, extending deep into the Interior Division around Keningau, Tambunan, and Sook.

In eastern Sabah, widespread downpours span Sandakan, Tongod, Telupid, Paitan, and Labuk and Sugut, while the southeastern districts of Tawau and Kalabakan are equally braced for squalls and thunderstorms.

MetMalaysia triggers thunderstorm warnings when satellite and radar readings detect rainfall intensity exceeding 20 millimetres per hour that is either imminent or projected to last longer than an hour. The short-term advisory carries a maximum validity window of six hours per release.

Authorities advised residents and motorists across affected zones to stay alert and exercise extra caution on wet roads, as tropical downpours can escalate rapidly and trigger sudden flash flooding in low-lying areas.