Singapore, 15 March 2014 – Singapore can expect some rainfall in the coming days with the easing of the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon. The rain will bring some respite to the current prolonged dry spell which started in mid-January 2014.
2Occasional brief showers this afternoon mostly affected the eastern and central parts of Singapore. As at 5pm today, the highest rainfall recorded was 3.8mm at Scotts Road. The rainfall this afternoon was not widespread and heavy enough to break the current dry spell. Passing showers in the afternoon are forecast for tomorrow and thundery showers in the afternoon for Monday.
3In the first 14 days of March 2014, the highest daily rainfall total for March 2014 is 15.2mm recorded at Tuas on 3 March 2014, and the total rainfall for March 2014 is 18.6mm recorded at Tuas. During this period, brief afternoon showers affected a few areas in western Singapore on some days. Other parts of the island received little or no rain. The days were also warmer and more windy. The daily maximum temperature in some parts of the island exceeded 33.0 degrees Celsius on most days. As of 14 March 2014, the Changi climate station recorded an average daily maximum temperature of 33.0 degrees Celsius, which is warmer than the long-term daily average of 31.6 degrees Celsius for March. The average daily wind speed of 13.2km/h recorded at the station is also significantly higher than the long-term average of 5.5km/h for March.
4The Northeast Monsoon is expected to transition to the inter-monsoon period in the last week of March 2014. The winds over Singapore and the surrounding region are expected to weaken and become variable in direction. Singapore may be affected by transboundary haze if hotspot activities in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia persist, and the prevailing winds temporarily turn to blow any haze toward us. The inter-monsoon period typically lasts from late March to May.
5Despite an expected increase in rainfall during the second half of March 2014, rainfall total for March 2014 is likely to be below the long-term average of 185.9 mm.
6For updates, visit our NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg) or follow us on NEA Facebook www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg).
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