Indonesia’s meteorological agency has issued an updated weather warning for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), forecasting heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds across multiple regencies through the weekend, an unusual pattern given the region has already entered its dry season.
What Triggered the Warning
The El Tari Meteorological Station in Kupang, part of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), issued the updated early warning on Saturday, July 25, 2026. According to the 8:40am advisory, moderate to heavy rain, potentially accompanied by lightning and strong winds, was expected to begin around 9:10am and continue through midday.
“In Rote Ndao Regency, this includes Rote Barat Laut, Lobalain, Rote Tengah, Pantai Baru, Rote Timur, Rote Selatan, Landu Leko, and surrounding areas. This condition is expected to extend to Semau, West Kupang, Amarasi, Nekamese, West Amarasi, South Amarasi, East Amarasi, East Amabi Oefeto, and South Semau districts in Kupang Regency,” said Sti Nenot’ek, Head of El Tari Meteorological Station Kupang, on Saturday.
Rain was also expected to extend to South Central Timor (TTS) Regency, including Amanuban Selatan, Ki’e, Kuanfatu, Boking, Nunkolo, Kolbano, Kot Olin, Kualin, and Noebeba districts, as well as Rote Barat Daya and Rote Barat districts in Rote Ndao Regency, and Alak district in Kupang City.
A Three-Day Alert Period
“BMKG expects these conditions to continue until approximately noon. Under the three-day early warning in effect from July 25 to 27, 2026,” Sti said.
According to Sti, BMKG has issued an alert status for potential moderate to heavy rain in Kupang, South Central Timor, Malaka, and Rote Ndao regencies on July 25. Strong winds are separately forecast to affect Kupang City, Kupang Regency, Rote Ndao, and Sabu Raijua through July 27.
A Rare Weather Pattern During Dry Season
Sti explained the unusual conditions are being driven by an active Equatorial Rossby Wave, despite NTT already being in its typical dry season.
“The East Monsoon wind is already active, which is causing the dry season across NTT. However, we’re also observing an active Equatorial Rossby Wave, which is increasing the potential for light to moderate rain in several parts of NTT. The public also needs to watch for dry, strong winds, which carry the risk of triggering forest and land fires,” Sti said.
Looking Ahead to Sunday
For Sunday, July 26, 2026, BMKG forecasts generally clear to partly cloudy conditions in the morning. “Moving into the afternoon and evening, weather will be dominated by partly cloudy to overcast conditions, with potential light rain in the Ende, Mbay, Bajawa, and Ruteng areas,” Sti detailed.
Nighttime conditions are expected to be partly cloudy to overcast, while early morning hours will generally be clear to overcast with potential fog in the Soe, Bajawa, and Ruteng areas.
BMKG forecasts air temperatures across NTT ranging from 18-31°C, while higher elevation areas including Manggarai, Ngada, and parts of the surrounding highlands will see temperatures between 12-24°C. “Winds are blowing from the east to south direction at speeds of 10-50 kilometers per hour,” Sti said.
What This Means for Travelers in the Region
For travelers with plans in Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park, or elsewhere across Flores and NTT’s outer islands in the coming days, this warning adds to an already active period of maritime caution in the region, following the recent multi-day suspension of tourist boat access to Komodo and Padar islands due to rough seas. Travelers heading to Kupang, Rote Ndao, Sabu Raijua, or the South Central Timor highlands should build flexibility into outdoor plans through July 27, monitor local conditions closely, and take particular care around strong wind advisories, which can affect both small boat travel and road conditions in exposed coastal areas.
BMKG has reiterated that residents and visitors in Kupang City, Kupang Regency, Rote Ndao, and Sabu Raijua should remain alert to the ongoing risk of strong winds through the end of the advisory period.