Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected across several parts of Malaysia this afternoon, with the warning coming as Formula 1 drivers prepare for the second practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang.
MetMalaysia issued the warning at 2.20pm on Friday, with the alert covering several states and federal territories until 5pm.
The affected areas include Kuala Lumpur, Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak, as well as parts of Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
In Selangor, the warning covers Gombak, Hulu Selangor and Hulu Langat, while Jerantut and Rompin are affected in Pahang. Jelebu and Seremban in Negeri Sembilan are also included.
The timing could prove significant for F1 fans at the Sepang International Circuit, with FP2 scheduled from 4pm to 5pm.
METMalaysia’s Sepang district forecast also calls for rain in some areas during the afternoon, with temperatures expected to reach 33°C.
The first practice session earlier today was held under hot conditions, with Max Verstappen setting the fastest time as drivers dealt with significant heat and tyre degradation.
The warning also covers several areas in Sarawak and Sabah, including Mukah, Ranau, Kota Belud, Tambunan, Keningau, Tawau, Sandakan, Kota Marudu and Pitas.
The weather could add another variable to a Sepang weekend already expected to test drivers and teams, with the circuit returning to the F1 calendar for the first time since 2017.
For spectators heading to the circuit, conditions could change quickly through the afternoon, particularly around the start of FP2.
