One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from guests and travellers to Phuket Thailand is:
What Is The Weather Like Right Now?
Which Weather Apps Are Reliable In Phuket In 2023?
Which Weather Apps Are Reliable In Phuket In 2023?
It’s a fair question to ask. If you are planning a holiday in Phuket you want to know what weather to expect as this will impact the activities that you will be doing while in Phuket. After 16 years living in Phuket I have found Phuket’s weather is quite fickle.
Very rarely are any of the Apps right in Phuket. But here are a few things I use to read the weather and predict what we should expect:
1. Windy.com
Windy.com is my go-to web platform for seeing the predicted weather and wind conditions for Phuket. Specifically, I look at the wind report. As I have a premium subscription, I can see the wind prediction for the next 9 days.
Generally speaking, a low wind condition (under 12 knots) will allow for calmer sea conditions, a lower possibility of rain and the potential for a good day on the sea. The great part about windy is that it is color coded.
If you see blue wind, this means we are expecting good sea conditions and low wind conditions. If you see light green, this means slightly increased wind, but still good conditions.
As you move from light green to dark green and then yellow this is an indicator of a high wind condition, potentially rough seas and potentially more rain.
2. TMD Radar
The only accurate predictor of rain in Phuket is the live radar. The TMD Radar is the best radar to see this as it shows live radar images up to 15 minutes ago. We use this in the morning of our tours to predict weather we are expecting rain on the tour.
It’s important to note that the wind condition will affect the speed that rain comes towards to Phuket and the direction it is moving. So I combine the Windy.com readings I get with the live radar.
3. AccuWeather
The AccuWeather website provides forecasts on wind, rain and conditions for up to 1 month. While it is rarely accurate I have found that it is closer to accurate than any other full service weather prediction app or system.
Now I know this all sounds confusing, so if you would prefer us to interpret the weather for you using our experience here in Phuket feel free to contact us any time.
Shaun Stenning
Shaun is the Co-Owner and Founder of 5 Star Marine Phuket. After visiting Phuket for a holiday he never left and over 13 years later he calls Phuket home with his wife and kids. Shaun is passionate about Phuket and the Islands surrounding Phuket and loves helping fellow travellers explore.
