Marek Kučera 
Brunei has officially registered its hottest July day on record, with temperatures soaring to a sweltering +36.2°C, setting a new benchmark for the tropical nation during what is typically a humid but storm-interrupted month.
While Brunei’s climate is typically hot and humid year-round, July temperatures rarely breach 35°C due to regular rainfall and thick cloud cover. The +36.2°C reading exceeded the previous national July record and came within striking distance of Brunei’s all-time record highs, normally observed during March to May, the hottest period of the year.
The heat was felt most intensely in inland and lowland areas, where humidity pushed heat index values to uncomfortable levels exceeding 45°C, posing serious risks for heat exhaustion, especially for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations. Health officials issued advisories urging the public to stay indoors during the hottest hours, increase fluid intake, and remain alert for signs of heat stress.
This event is part of a wider pattern of heat extremes across Southeast Asia in 2025, with nearby countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines also experiencing unusually hot spells and record-challenging temperatures this month. The persistent warmth is further aggravated by urbanization and reduced vegetation, which intensify the urban heat island effect, particularly in built-up areas of Bandar Seri Begawan and surrounding districts.
Climate experts warn that such extremes are becoming more frequent and more intense, even in tropical zones previously thought to be thermally stable year-round. The new July record in Brunei stands as yet another indicator that climate variability and long-term warming trends are pushing the boundaries of past climate norms, even in small equatorial nations.
As conditions return to a more typical monsoonal pattern in the coming days, some moderation in temperatures is expected. However, the +36.2°C record will remain a stark reminder of the region’s increasing vulnerability to extreme heat in all seasons.
Illustration picture: https://amuraworld.com/en/topics/by-the-world/articles/10072-windows-to-the-world-brunei
