Monthly Archives: October 2023

Singapore, 13 October 2023 – It was fair and warm over Singapore today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 13-22 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 49-62, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2    Dry conditions continue to prevail over many parts of the surrounding region. 126 hotspots were detected mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra today, a slight decrease from the 174 hotspots detected yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed over parts of southern and central Sumatra from satellite imagery, drifting in a northwesterly direction.

3    Over the weekend, dry conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region are expected to persist, and the prevailing winds are forecast to strengthen and blow mostly from the south, and southwest at times. There is a chance of slight haze affecting Singapore if the fires escalate. 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 –

Singapore, 12 October 2023 – It was partly cloudy over Singapore today. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 12-24 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 56-71, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2    Dry conditions were observed over much of the surrounding region today. 174 hotspots were detected mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra today compared to 66 hotspots yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed over southern Sumatra from satellite imagery.

3    The dry conditions in the region are likely to continue tomorrow and the prevailing winds are forecast to blow mostly from the southeast.  For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

4    Dry conditions are forecast to persist over the coming weekend. There is a chance of transboundary haze affecting Singapore over the weekend if the haze situation escalates and the prevailing winds shift to blow from the south or southwest.

Activity Guidelines

5    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.

6     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 –

Singapore, 11 October 2023 – There were thundery showers over many areas in Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 12-33 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 56-82, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2    Drier conditions were observed over several parts of Sumatra today. 66 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra, higher than the 15 hotspots detected yesterday. Over southern Sumatra, moderate smoke haze was observed from satellite imagery blowing towards the northwest.

3    While drier weather is forecast over southern and parts of central Sumatra tomorrow, showers over Singapore and its surrounding regions are expected to keep the likelihood of transboundary haze low. The prevailing winds are expected to blow mainly from the south or southwest. 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 –

Singapore, 10 October 2023 – Many areas of Singapore saw thundery showers in the late morning and afternoon today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 15-44 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 59-86, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2    There were showers over several areas in the region today. 15 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra today. Moderate smoke haze was observed from satellite imagery over southern Sumatra, blowing towards the northwest by prevailing winds

3    More showers are forecast over Singapore and the surrounding region tomorrow, with light and variable winds.  The wetter conditions should keep the regional fire and haze situation subdued, with a low likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore. 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 –

Singapore, 7 October 2023 – It has been slightly hazy in Singapore today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 30-94 µg/m³, in Band I – Band II (Normal to Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI was 66-120, in the high-end of the Moderate range to low-end of the Unhealthy range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2     Dry conditions continue to prevail over most parts of the surrounding region. 188 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra today, a slight decrease from the 212 hotspots detected yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to be blown towards the north and northwest by prevailing winds.

3     With lighter winds expected over Singapore and the surrounding region tomorrow, the current hazy conditions are expected to persist. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the high-end of the Moderate range to low- end of the Unhealthy range. Some showers and a favourable change in wind direction can be expected towards Monday, which may lead to some improvement in the haze situation.

Activity Guidelines

4    The main air pollutant during the haze season is PM_2.5, and the 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings are a good indicator of the current air quality. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the latest 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Health advisories during periods of transboundary haze are based primarily on the 24-hour PSI, as there are no major health studies done for other air quality indicators. Use the 24-hour PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories when planning for next day outdoor activities.

5     The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons are to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. The elderly, pregnant women and children are to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities, and persons with chronic lung disease and heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. Persons who are not feeling well should seek medical attention.

6     For updates, visit our NEA website (https://www.nea.gov.sg/), MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), the haze microsite (https://www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow us on NEA Facebook 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 –

Singapore, 2 October 2023 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are likely to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region, and the low-level winds are expected to blow from the southeast or southwest on most days. On a few days, the winds may temporarily weaken to become light and variable in direction.

2    In the coming fortnight, localised thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on most days due to the daytime heating of land areas. On one or two days, regional convergence of winds may bring widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore in the afternoon. Overall, the rainfall for the first half of October 2023 is likely to be below average over most parts of Singapore.

3    The daily maximum temperatures are expected to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. Although showers are expected on most days in the coming fortnight, the daily maximum temperature could still reach a high of slightly above 34 degrees Celsius on one or two days.

4    The showers over Singapore are expected to be mostly of short duration. With dry weather expected to continue in some parts of the surrounding region, Singapore may experience hazy conditions if the prevailing winds turn southwesterly and forest fires in Sumatra continue to persist. NEA will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide further updates if the situation changes. Should the 24-hour PSI be anticipated to enter the Unhealthy range, NEA will provide daily haze advisories.

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 (1 – 30 September 2023)

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

7    Localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on several days. On 6 September 2023, large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region led to the development of widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of the island in afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 157.5 mm recorded at Lower Peirce Reservoir that day was the highest rainfall recorded for September 2023. On 24 September 2023, a Sumatra squall brought moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of Singapore in the morning. There were also several days where the weather was generally fair and occasionally windy.

8    The daily maximum temperatures in September 2023 were above 32 degrees Celsius on all days except 24 September 2023. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9 degrees Celsius was recorded at Sentosa on 19 September 2023. On several nights, the daily minimum temperatures over the eastern, southern and western coastal areas of the island were above 28 degrees Celsius.

9    Most parts of Singapore recorded above average rainfall in September 2023. Lower Peirce Reservoir recorded rainfall of 85 per cent above average, and Tengah recorded rainfall of 45 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

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

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