Monthly Archives: October 2023

October 23, 2023

Haze Situation Update (23 October 2023)

Singapore, 23 October 2023 – The haze situation continues to improve with more rainfall in the surrounding region. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 5-22 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 48-66, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 There were showers over Singapore and the surrounding region today. 47 hotspots were detected mainly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra, comparable to the hotspot count of 57 yesterday. Moderate smoke haze was observed over the southern parts of Sumatra.

3 The overall hotspot and haze situation is expected to remain subdued due to the expected wet weather over most of the region, and the prevailing winds are forecast to be light and variable in direction in the coming days. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to remain low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

4 The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Use the 24-hr PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories for planning next day outdoor activities.

5 For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at https://asmc.asean.org.

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

October 22, 2023

Haze Situation Update (22 October 2023)

Singapore, 22 October 2023 – As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 6-19 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 38-68, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Showers were observed over many parts of Singapore and the surrounding region today. 57 hotspots were detected mainly in southern Sumatra, higher than the 7 hotspots detected yesterday. Some slight localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots in southern Sumatra.

3 For the next few days, showers are expected over most of the region, which should keep the overall hotspot and haze situation subdued. With the prevailing winds forecast to be generally light and variable in direction, the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

October 21, 2023

Haze Situation Update (21 October 2023)

Singapore, 21 October 2023 – As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 5-12 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 34-56, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 There were some showers over parts of Singapore and the surrounding region today. Hotspot activity in the region was generally subdued, with seven hotspots detected in southern Sumatra, comparable to the three hotspots detected yesterday. No significant smoke haze was observed due to rain and cloud cover.

3 In the coming days, showers are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region. The prevailing winds are forecast to be light and variable in direction. The regional hotspot and haze situation is expected to remain subdued and the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

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October 20, 2023

Haze Situation Update (20 October 2023)

Singapore, 20 October 2023 – As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 7-16 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 41-59, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Showers were observed over much of Singapore and the surrounding region today. 3 hotspots were detected in southern Sumatra, comparable to the 4 hotspots detected yesterday. No significant smoke haze was observed over the region as there was extensive rain and cloud cover.

3 The regional hotspot and haze situation is expected to remain subdued under continued wet weather conditions in the coming days. Moreover, with prevailing winds forecast to be generally light and variable in direction, the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

October 19, 2023

Haze Situation Update (19 October 2023)

Singapore, 19 October 2023 – As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 7-20 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 37-62, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 There was rain over most parts of Singapore and the surrounding region today, bringing an improvement to the regional hotspot and haze situation. 4 hotspots were detected in southern and central Sumatra, lower than the 100 hotspots detected yesterday. No significant smoke haze was observed over southern and central Sumatra under thick cloud cover.

3 More showers are forecast for Singapore and the surrounding region over the next few days. The prevailing winds are forecast to be generally light and variable in direction. The return of wet weather is expected to keep the regional hotspot and haze situation subdued. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

October 18, 2023

Haze Situation Update (18 October 2023)

Singapore, 18 October 2023 – There were thundery showers over many areas in Singapore in the late morning and afternoon today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 5-12 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 52-64, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Wetter conditions were observed over many parts of the surrounding region today. 100 hotspots were detected in southern and central Sumatra, lower than the 530 hotspots detected yesterday. Localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from isolated hotspots in southern Sumatra.

3 More showers are forecast for Singapore and the surrounding region over the next few days, which should further improve the regional hotspot and haze situation. The prevailing winds are forecast to weaken and become light and variable in direction. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

October 17, 2023

Haze Situation Update (17 October 2023)

Singapore, 17 October 2023 – It was fair and warm over Singapore today. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 8-22 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 51-65, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 The weather remained dry over most parts of the surrounding region today. 530 hotspots were detected in southern and central Sumatra, higher than the 285 hotspots detected yesterday. Smoke haze over southern and central Sumatra was observed to be blown towards the northwest by prevailing winds.

3 An increase in shower activities is forecast for Singapore and the surrounding region from tomorrow. The prevailing winds are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast or south, weakening to become light and variable in direction over the next few days. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

October 16, 2023

Haze Situation Update (16 October 2023)

Singapore, 16 October 2023 – It was partly cloudy over Singapore except for some showers over the western parts of the island this morning. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 13-31 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 54-72, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Dry conditions persisted over most parts of the surrounding region today. 285 hotspots were detected mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra, higher than the 24 hotspots detected yesterday.

3 While some showers are expected over Singapore, continued dry weather is forecast over the surrounding region tomorrow. The prevailing winds are expected to blow from the southeast, and occasionally from the south to southwest, with a chance of slight haze affecting Singapore. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is expected to reduce towards Wednesday as shower activities are forecast to return to the surrounding region.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

More Showers in the Coming Fortnight to Bring Some Respite to Warm Conditions

9 Oct 2023 saw the highest temperature ever recorded in the month of October at 36.3 degree Celsius

Singapore, 16 October 2023 – More showers are expected for the rest of October 2023 compared to the first half of the month, which may bring some respite to the warm weather.

2 Thundery showers are expected on most days in the coming fortnight. Afternoon thundery showers are expected this week, extending into the evening on a few days. In the second half of the fortnight, short-duration thundery showers may occur over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon. On the whole, we expect above average rainfall in the second half of October 2023.

3 With showers expected on most days, temperatures are likely to be lower compared to the first half of the month. Daily maximum temperatures are expected to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days.

4 More showers are also forecast for the southern Southeast Asia region in the coming fortnight, which may bring some improvement to the haze situation and reduce the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore. The chance of the 24-hr PSI reaching the unhealthy range in Singapore is low for the coming fortnight.

5 For updates of the daily weather forecast and PSI readings, please visit the MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 October 2023)

6 Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of October 2023, with low-level winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

7 The first half of October 2023 was dry and warm, except for a few days when brief showers fell over Singapore. These conditions were due to suppressed rain cloud formation arising from a dry air mass moving over the surrounding region.

8 On 7 and 8 of October 2023, smoke haze from forest fires in central and southern Sumatra were blown by prevailing winds to Singapore. This resulted in hazy conditions with the air quality deteriorating into the Unhealthy range over parts of the island. The highest 24-hour PSI of 123 was recorded in the eastern part of Singapore between 8 and 9 pm on 7 October 2023.

9 In the first two weeks of October 2023, maximum temperatures rose above 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On 9 October 2023, temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius in several parts of Singapore, with 36.3 degrees Celsius recorded at Admiralty. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore in the month of October, surpassing the previous record high of 35.7 degrees Celsius recorded on 14 October 2001 and 13 October 2019.

10 Well-below-average rainfall was recorded across the island in the first half of October 2023. The highest anomaly of 100 per cent below-average was recorded at Paya Lebar.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for October
(Climatological reference period: 1991 – 2020)

Average daily maximum temperature:	31.8 °C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.0 °C
Average monthly temperature:	27.9 °C
Average rainfall:	168.3 mm
Average number of rain days:	15

Historical Extremes for October
(Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)

Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.0°C (2002)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.8 °C (1964)

Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	497.1 mm (1947)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	10.8 mm (2002)

October 15, 2023

Haze Situation Update (15 October 2023)

Singapore, 15 October 2023 – Fair and warm conditions prevailed over Singapore today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 14-47 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 52-77, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Dry weather persisted over most of the surrounding regions today. 24 hotspots were detected mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra, lower than the 68 hotspots detected yesterday.

3 Continued dry conditions are forecast over Singapore and the surrounding region until Monday, with the prevailing winds expected to blow mainly from the south to southwest. There is a chance of slight haze affecting Singapore if the regional haze situation escalates. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

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