Denpasar. Bali residents have been experiencing cooler temperatures, particularly at night and in the early morning, as cold air masses from Australia move northward during the onset of the dry season, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Wayan Gita Giriharta, a forecaster at BMKG's Regional Office III in Denpasar, said the phenomenon is linked to Australia's winter season, which runs from June to August.

"Australia is currently entering its winter period, with relatively high air pressure. This causes cold air masses from Australia to move toward Indonesia, passing through Bali and surrounding areas," Gita said on Saturday.

The cooler temperatures are common during the peak of Bali's dry season, typically from June to August, when the Australian monsoon becomes more active and the sun's apparent position shifts to the Northern Hemisphere.

During this period, southern regions of Indonesia, including Bali, receive less solar radiation, contributing to lower temperatures, particularly overnight.

The cooling effect is also being amplified by generally clear skies and limited cloud cover, which allow heat absorbed during the day to escape more quickly into the atmosphere after sunset.

"As a result, the air near the surface feels cooler, especially from nighttime through the early morning," Gita said.

According to BMKG forecasts, Bali's temperatures on May 30-31 are expected to range from a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature is around one degree lower than forecasts issued a week earlier, when temperatures were expected to range from 21 degrees Celsius to as high as 34 degrees Celsius.

The coolest temperatures are forecast in Bali's highland tourist destinations, including Bedugul in Tabanan Regency and Kintamani in Bangli Regency, where temperatures could fall to between 19 and 30 degrees Celsius on May 31.

BMKG advised residents and visitors, particularly those traveling to mountainous areas, to prepare for colder conditions during the night and early morning as the dry season progresses.