Monthly Archives: May 2015

Comprehensive weather and climate information packaged in one easy-to-use website

Singapore, 20 May 2015 – Need to know where in Singapore there is currently rain? Or what the weather will be in the next two hours where you are? With the new weather information website launched today by Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), the public can now access more comprehensive real-time and past weather information of Singapore. The one-stop website (https://www.weather.gov.sg) provides authoritative weather forecasts, warnings and advisories of heavy rain, smoke haze and geological hazards, as well as long-term climate statistics of Singapore.

Enhancing Current Weather Situation Awareness

2          One key feature of the new website is a map display of real-time observations of temperature, rainfall, humidity and surface wind at various locations across the island. These weather elements are measured continuously by MSS’ island-wide network of over 60 automatic weather stations. The observations are updated on the website at five minute intervals, giving an indication of where the currently warmest, wettest or windiest parts of the island are. Users can also view graphs that display the trends of temperature and other elements at selected locations over the course of the day.

3          Those engaging in outdoor activities can also visit the website for the latest information on where rain is falling over Singapore and our surrounding region, a few hundred kilometres away. They can also access information on lightning detected over the island, and get lightning alerts for pre-selected locations.

Better Planning and Preparedness with Forecasts and Warnings

4          Forecasts of the weather over Singapore, ranging from hours to days ahead, are also available on the website to help users make better informed decisions. For a general weather outlook further ahead, one can refer to the fortnightly outlook and updates on the monsoon season and the El Nino/La Nina.

5          Apart from the regular weather forecasts, the website provides heavy rain warnings for Singapore and regular updates and advisories on smoke haze, tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruptions affecting the region.

Knowing Past Weather History

6          Another key feature of the website is a comprehensive database of historical climatological records of Singapore since 1980. The database contains daily readings of rainfall, temperature and wind at various locations across the island, which can be downloaded if needed. Such data will be of particular interest to people who wish to know the weather conditions on a specific day in the past, or to carry out analysis of past weather data. Also included are Singapore’s past climate trends and historical extremes of various weather elements.

7          The new website includes extensive educational content which serves as a resource for those who are keen to learn more about our weather and climate. Photography enthusiasts are also invited to contribute photos they have taken of interesting weather phenomena observed in Singapore. Selected photos will be featured on the website. To submit your photos, email them to NEA_MSS_Engage@nea.gov.sg.

Slight haze also expected on a few days in the early mornings

Advisory

Singapore, 15 May 2015 – During the next fortnight, Inter-Monsoon conditions are expected to prevail. During the period, the prevailing light and variable low level winds are forecast to gradually turn to blow from the southeast or south-southwest.

2For the fortnight, Singapore can expect 4 or 5 days of short-duration thundery showers in the late morning and early afternoon. In addition, 1 or 2 days of thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls are likely in the pre-dawn and morning. Slightly hazy conditions can be expected on a few days, in particular in the early morning, due to accumulation of particulate matter under light wind conditions.

3Rainfall for May 2015 is likely to be near-normal.

Review of 1 – 14 May 2015

4Inter-Monsoon conditions prevailed in first fortnight of May 2015. During the period, the prevailing low level winds were generally light and variable in direction

5Singapore experienced wet weather conditions on most days in the first fortnight of the month with thundery showers occurring mostly in the afternoon. On 3 May 2015, moderate to heavy thundery showers affected many areas of Singapore in the afternoon and evening due to the convergence of winds and strong daytime heating of land areas. The highest total rainfall recorded on 3 May 2015 was 119.6mm over the Bukit Panjang area.

6Approximately two thirds of Singapore received above normal rainfall in the first half of May 2015. The western part of the island around Chua Chu Kang and Nanyang Avenue received the highest rainfall of 164mm to 210mm (110% to 150% above average). The lowest rainfall of 11mm to 24mm (50% to 90% below average) was recorded over the eastern part of the island around Changi.

STATISTICS FOR MAY since 1869 (CLIMATE STATION)

Average rainfall for the month — 172.1 mm
Highest rainfall ever recorded — 386.6 mm (1892)
Lowest rainfall ever recorded — 41.6 mm (1997)
Average number of rain days — 15
Average daily maximum temperature — 31.6 degrees Celsius
Average daily minimum temperature — 24.8 degrees Celsius

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Thundery showers mostly in the afternoon

Advisory

Singapore, 1 May 2015 – During the next fortnight, Inter-Monsoon conditions are expected to continue with low level winds forecast to be light and variable in direction. Singapore can expect four or five days of short-duration thundery showers in the afternoon. In addition, two or three days of thundery showers can be expected in the morning.

2Based on long-term statistics, May is the second warmest month in the year (after April). Slightly hazy conditions can be expected on a few days, in particular in the early morning, due to accumulation of particulate matter under light wind conditions.

3Rainfall for May 2015 is likely to be near-normal.

Review of 1 – 29 April 2015

4Inter-Monsoon conditions prevailed in April 2015. During the period, the prevailing low level winds were generally light and variable in direction.

5Singapore experienced wet weather conditions on most days of the month with thundery showers occurring mostly in the afternoon. On 28 April 2015, moderate to heavy thundery showers affected many areas of Singapore in the afternoon and evening due to the convergence of winds and strong daytime heating of land areas. The heaviest rainfall that afternoon recorded 88.6mm of rain over the Mandai area.

6Approximately two thirds of Singapore received above normal rainfall for the month of April 2015. The central part of the island around Ang Mo Kio and Lower Peirce Reservoir received the highest rainfall of 267mm to 324mm (55% to 80% above average). The lowest rainfall of 67mm to 91mm (45% to 70% below average) was recorded over the eastern part of the island around Pasir Ris and Simei.

STATISTICS FOR MAY since 1869 (CLIMATE STATION)

Average rainfall for the month — 172.1 mm
Highest rainfall ever recorded — 386.6 mm (1892)
Lowest rainfall ever recorded — 41.6 mm (1997)
Average number of rain days — 15
Average daily maximum temperature — 31.6 degrees Celsius
Average daily minimum temperature — 24.8 degrees Celsius

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