Java, an island known for its humid heat and tropical rains, is currently experiencing a rather unusual twist: bone-chilling nights and mornings.
This phenomenon, known locally as "bediding," has gripped residents across the island who are waking up wrapped in thick blankets, brewing hot ginger tea, and sharing surprise at how cold their homes have become.
While much of Indonesia expects dry weather during the middle of the year, this particular spell feels colder than most. The sharp drop in temperature has turned ordinary nights into brisk experiences, making people rethink their tropical wardrobe and daily habits.
What Is Bediding?
Bediding is a Javanese term that loosely translates to "shivering cold" or "feeling chilled." It's a sensation usually felt in the early mornings and evenings, especially during the dry season.
But what makes this year’s bediding so noticeable isn’t just the timing, it’s the intensity. People across urban and rural Java, from Yogyakarta to Malang, are noting just how cold it’s gotten lately. The surprise lies not only in the temperature but in how long the chill seems to be lingering.
The Science Behind the Chill
According to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), this chilly weather is likely to persist until September 2025. Linda Firotul, a meteorologist from BMKG’s East Java Climate Station, attributes the phenomenon to a combination of seasonal and atmospheric factors.
Three main causes stand out. First, the Australian monsoon or what BMKG refers to as the Monsoon Australia is bringing in dry, cold air from the southern hemisphere. This air mass sweeps across Indonesia, especially Java, significantly lowering temperatures.
Second, the skies have been exceptionally clear at night. With fewer clouds acting as a thermal blanket, the Earth’s surface rapidly loses heat after sunset. This radiation cooling effect causes surface temperatures to plummet by early morning.
Third, sporadic rainfall from cloud systems still lingering during the transition between wet and dry seasons can bring cold air down to the surface. Together, these factors create the perfect recipe for bediding.
Chilly Mornings from Malang to the Highlands
In Malang and surrounding areas, nighttime temperatures have dropped to between 16°C and 20°C. That might sound mild to some, but for a tropical region, it's a considerable dip. In higher-altitude locations such as Ranupane, near Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, temperatures are even lower and sometimes result in frost, locally known as embun upas.
This icy layer covering grass and roofs isn’t just rare, it’s mesmerizing. Locals and tourists alike are fascinated by the appearance of frost in the tropics, a scene more typical of temperate regions.
Social media has lit up with reports of foggy breath and locals donning jackets typically reserved for vacations to Puncak or Lembang. For many, especially the younger generation who grew up in more consistently warm weather, this is their first real encounter with Java’s chillier side.
A Season for Warmth and Comfort
But bediding isn’t all about temperature drops and surprises. For many Indonesians, this moment becomes an invitation to slow down and embrace warmth, not just in terms of body heat, but also comfort food and traditions.
In villages and cities alike, people are turning to wedang jahe (ginger tea), bajigur, and ronde, hot drinks traditionally enjoyed in colder mountain towns. Food vendors see a spike in sales of bakso, sego megono, or even hot porridge as people seek comfort in warmth.
This chilly period has also brought a boost in local tourism to highland destinations. Places like Dieng, Batu, and Bromo see a wave of visitors hoping to catch the elusive embun upas or simply experience the cool breeze while sipping hot drinks at sunrise. In a way, bediding becomes not just a meteorological event, but a seasonal lifestyle moment.
Reflections on a Rare Chill
As we move deeper into the dry season, BMKG advises the public to stay warm, especially the elderly and young children who are more sensitive to cold weather. Yet beyond practical warnings, this phenomenon reminds us how dynamic Indonesia’s climate truly is.
Bediding is a small yet poetic reminder that even in the tropics, cold can come knocking. It’s a fleeting pause from the usual humidity, offering a window to appreciate hot drinks, warm meals, and the quiet stillness of cold air.
And maybe, just maybe, it’s a moment to pull the blanket a little tighter and sip that wedang jahe a little slower. Share your own bediding moment and let the warmth bring us together.
