MetMalaysia said residents in these areas can expect temperatures of 35°C to 37°C for at least three days in a row.

In the peninsula, the affected areas are Langkawi, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Kubang Pasu, Pokok Sena, Sik, Baling and Bandar Baharu in Kedah; Gua Musang in Kelantan; and the whole of Perlis.

Higher temperatures are also expected in Mukah and Telang Usan in Sarawak as well as Tuaran and Tenom in Sabah.

MetMalaysia classifies heatwaves as temperatures ranging from 37°C to 40°C for three days in a row, while extreme heatwaves are anything above that.

The current spate of hot and dry weather has caused peat fires in several parts of the country, including Sarawak and Pahang, as well as one death from heat stroke.

MetMalaysia director-general Helmi Abdullah had said that the hot and dry weather currently being experienced in most areas across the country is expected to gradually ease by mid-April.

Helmi said that this follows the beginning of the monsoon transition phase, which was expected to start from March 29 and continue until May, marking the end of the northeast monsoon, which began on Nov 11 last year.

He added that weather conditions have the potential to cause flash floods and damage to weak structures.