The weather in peninsular Malaysia is expected to be dry during the whole month of Ramadan, but wet during Aidilfitri, according to the Meteorological Department.

A duty forecaster at the department said the temperature could reach a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius during the day and drop to as low as 24 degrees Celsius at night during the Ramadan fasting month.

"Muslims could be dehydrated much quicker," he said when contacted, and advised everyone to drink a lot of water when they could.    

Despite the likely hot weather, he said, Malaysia would still experience the southwest monsoon until next month, which means there would still be occasional rain every day.

"Occasional early morning thunderstorms are expected over the coasts of Perlis, Kedah, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and western Johor. The rest of the states are expected to have occasional or isolated showers in the afternoon," he said.

For the first week after Aidilfitri next month, he said, more rainy days were expected over peninsular Malaysia, especially in the late afternoon as compared to August and early September.

The public may visit www.met.gov.my for the daily weather forecast for the main cities and towns in Malaysia.

- Bernama