Expect Sumatra squalls and slight haze on a few days
Advisory
Singapore, 17 August 2015 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are expected to persist for the rest of August 2015, and the low level winds are forecast to blow from the southeast or southwest.
2. For the second half of August 2015, some warm days with maximum day-time temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius can be expected in the afternoon. Short-duration thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are likely on three to five days, mostly in the late morning and early afternoon. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls can be expected on one to two days in the pre-dawn and morning.
3. As periods of consecutive dry days are common in the region during the Southwest Monsoon season, Singapore could experience slightly hazy conditions on a few days.
4. The rainfall for the August 2015 is expected to be slightly below normal.
Review of 1 – 16 August 2015
5. Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed during the first fortnight of August 2015 with the low level winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest.
6. During the review period, there were a few warm days with the daily maximum temperature of around 34 degrees Celsius, as well as some wet days where the daily minimum temperatures fell to between 22 and 23 degrees Celsius. On several days in the first fortnight of August 2015, Singapore experienced moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty winds due to the passage of Sumatra squalls and strong convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. In particular, the thundery showers on 12 August 2015 brought heavy rainfall over the north-eastern part of the island where the highest total rainfall of 71.6mm was recorded over Pulau Ubin.
7. During the first fortnight of August 2015, the southern half of Singapore received above average rainfall. The highest rainfall of 150 mm to 180 mm (65% to 90% above average) was recorded over the south-western and eastern parts of the island around Boon Lay and Tampines respectively. The lowest rainfall of 50 mm to 70 mm (25% to 50% below average) was recorded over the northern and central parts of Singapore around Sembawang and Bishan respectively.
STATISTICS FOR AUGUST since 1869 (CLIMATE STATION)
Average rainfall for the month — 175.4 mm
Highest rainfall ever recorded — 526.8 mm (1878)
Lowest rainfall ever recorded — 18 mm (1888)
Average number of rain days — 14
Average daily maximum temperature — 30.9 degrees Celsius
Average daily minimum temperature — 24.5 degrees Celsius
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