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Singapore, 16 March 2021 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region for the rest of March 2021. During the period, the prevailing low-level winds are forecast to blow from the northwest or northeast on most days.

2      In the coming fortnight, the monsoon rain band is expected to lie close to the equatorial Southeast Asia region, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation is forecast to be in its wet phase over Singapore in the latter half of the fortnight. Compared to the first fortnight of March 2021, more thundery showers are expected over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity in the second fortnight of the month.

3      For the rest of March 2021, moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days, particularly in the second half of the fortnight. There could be a few days where the showers may extend into the evening. Overall, the rainfall for March 2021 is forecast to be near normal over most parts of the island.

4      In the coming fortnight, the daily temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days. There could be a few warm days where the maximum temperature could lie within the 34°C range, particularly when there are few clouds in the sky. Overall, the temperatures in the second fortnight of March 2021 are not expected to be as warm as that in the first half of the month.

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

REVIEW (1 – 15 March 2021)

6      The dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon season persisted over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of March 2021, with prevailing low-level winds blowing generally from the north or northeast.

7      The first fortnight of March 2021 was generally fair and warm, particularly in the first week of the month. This was due to stable atmospheric conditions arising from the presence of a dry air mass over Singapore and the equatorial Southeast Asia region. On several days in the latter half of the fortnight, strong solar heating of land areas coupled with convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity brought moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of the island. On 13 March 2021, moderate to heavy thundery showers fell over the island in the afternoon, and the daily total rainfall recorded that day was 98.3mm at Sengkang. This was the highest rainfall recorded in a day for the first fortnight of March 2021.

8      In the first fortnight of March 2021, the daily maximum temperature on most days were above 34.0°C. On 2 March 2021, the highest daily maximum temperature of 35.6°C was recorded at Tengah. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 21.4°C was recorded at Sembawang in the early hours of 8 March 2021.

9      Many parts of Singapore recorded below normal rainfall in the first fortnight of March 2021. The anomaly was lowest at Ang Mo Kio at 72% below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for March
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 1 March 2021 – In the first fortnight of March 2021, the weather in Singapore will continue to be influenced by the prevailing Northeast Monsoon. During this period, the low-level winds are forecast to blow from the northwest or northeast. With the monsoon rain band forecast to lie closer to the Equator in the coming fortnight, more showers can be expected compared to the last fortnight of February 2021.

2      On the first few days of March 2021, a mass of dry air is forecast over the equatorial Southeast Asia region. This is expected to bring stable atmospheric conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region, and generally fair and occasionally windy conditions are expected. In the latter half of the first fortnight of March 2021, as the monsoon rain band migrates closer to the Equator, short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. On a few of these days, heavy thundery showers can be expected particularly when there is convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity coupled with strong day time heating of land areas. Overall, the rainfall for the first fortnight of March 2021 is forecast to be near normal over most parts of the island.

3      While showers are expected in the coming fortnight, the daily maximum temperature could still reach a high of around 34°C on a few days. On most days, the daily temperature is forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C.

4      For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit our MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the MSS’ Weather@SG app, and/or the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 28 February 2021)

5      The dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon season persisted over Singapore and the surrounding region in February 2021, with low-level winds blowing mostly from the north or northeast.

6      February 2021 was fair and windy on most days and the monsoon rain band remained south of the Equator in the vicinity of the Java Sea. On a few days, strong daytime heating of land areas coupled with converging winds over the island brought moderate short-duration thundery showers over a few parts of the island in the afternoon. The highest daily total rainfall recorded in February 2021 was 46.9mm at Kranji on 11 February.

7      At the Changi climate station, the total rainfall recorded in February 2021 was 1.0mm which ranks February 2021 as the second driest February since rainfall records in Singapore began in 1869. The driest ever recorded February in Singapore is February 2014 with a monthly total of 0.2mm. The dry weather also resulted in the lowest average daily relative humidity of 73.8% recorded for February since continuous humidity records commenced in 1984, surpassing the previous record low of 74.1% in February 2019.

8      It was a particularly windy February 2021, with an average daily wind speed of 13.1 km/h recorded at the Changi climate station. This ranks February 2021 as the second windiest February since continuous wind records commenced in 1984, behind the 13.7 km/h recorded in February 2014. The weather statistics for February 2021 are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1: Weather statistics for February 2021 recorded at Changi climate station.

9      It was relatively cloudy on most days in February 2021 with daily maximum temperatures below 34°C except for a few days at the end of the month where the highest daily maximum temperatures recorded were above 35.0°C. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.5°C was recorded on 26 February 2021 at Ang Mo Kio. The daily minimum temperature in February 2021 ranged between 22.6°C and 24.5°C. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 22.6°C was recorded at Jurong on 18 February 2021.

10      Singapore received well below normal rainfall in February 2021. The highest anomaly of 99% below average was recorded at Changi. The anomaly was lowest at Sentosa at 8% below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for February
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

WEATHER OUTLOOK (16 – 28 February 2021)

1 The Northeast Monsoon season is currently in its dry phase, which is characterised by drier weather and occasionally windy conditions. The dry phase is forecast to persist for the rest of February 2021 with prevailing winds blowing from the north or northeast.

2 The generally dry weather in the first fortnight of February 2021 is forecast to continue into the second fortnight of the month. Particularly in the first week of the coming fortnight, an intensification of a high-pressure system over central China is forecast to bring a mass of dry air accompanied with a strengthening of northeast winds over the South China Sea. As a result, stable atmospheric conditions are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region. During the week, generally fair weather with occasionally windy conditions are forecast for Singapore. There could be short-duration thundery showers in the afternoon over parts of the island on one or two days.

3 While generally fair weather is also forecast in the last week of the month, strong daytime heating of land areas coupled with a weakening of low-level winds are expected to bring short-duration thundery showers between the afternoon and early evening over parts of the island on a few days. Overall, the rainfall for February 2021 is expected to be below normal over most parts of the island.

4 For the rest of February 2021, the daily temperature is forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days. In the latter half of the fortnight, the maximum temperature could reach a high of 34°C on a few days.

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

REVIEW (1 – 15 February 2021)

6 The dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon season prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of February 2021, with low-level winds blowing mostly from the north or northeast.

7 During the first fortnight of February 2021, the monsoon rain band was located south of the Equator and generally fair weather prevailed over Singapore. During the period, strong northeast winds over the South China Sea brought occasionally windy conditions and passing showers to Singapore. On a few days in the fortnight, sea breeze and opposing prevailing winds converged, which brought thunderstorms over the western and southern parts of the island in the late afternoon and evening.

8 In the first fortnight of February 2021, the highest daily maximum temperature of 34.2°C was recorded at Jurong Island on 7 February 2021. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 22.8°C was recorded at Sembawang on 5 February 2021. On most days, the daily temperature ranged between 23.5°C and 33.5°C.

9 In the first half of February 2021, rainfall was below average over many parts of the island. The highest rainfall anomaly of 98% below average was recorded at Changi, while highest rainfall anomaly of 68% above average was recorded at Sentosa.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for February
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 1 February 2021 – The first half of February 2021 is expected to be generally dry and warm, with short-duration afternoon thundery showers on some days. The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist in the first half of February 2021, with low-level winds blowing from the northwest or northeast.

2      In the first week of the fortnight, a strengthening of northeast winds over the South China Sea is forecast to bring windy conditions with passing showers over Singapore on a few days. For most part of the week, fair and warm weather can be expected due to stable atmospheric conditions arising from the presence of a dry air mass over the equatorial Southeast Asia region. Short-duration thundery showers are expected in the afternoon mostly in the second half of the fortnight due to strong solar heating of land areas. On a few days, the showers may extend into the evening. Overall, the rainfall for the first half of February 2021 is expected to be below normal over most parts of the island.

3      In the first fortnight of February 2021, the daily temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days. The maximum temperature could reach around 34°C on days with little or no rain.

4      For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit our MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the MSS’ Weather@SG app, and/or the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 31 January 2021)

5     Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in January 2021. The prevailing low-level winds blew from the north or northeast.

6      It was exceptionally wet and cool in the first half of January 2021. In comparison, the second half of the month was generally warmer and drier, with short-duration thundery showers over parts of the island in the afternoon on some days.

7      In the first fortnight of January 2021, high-pressure systems over northern continental Asia brought a surge of northeast monsoon winds (monsoon surge[1]) over the equatorial South China Sea region on 1-2 January 2021 and again on 8 – 13 January 2021. Widespread continuous rain, heavy at times fell over Singapore over the New Year weekend and the highest daily total rainfall recorded during the 2-day event was 210.6mm at the Changi climate station.

8      The surge of strong northeast winds coupled with convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region brought windy and rainy weather across the island during the second monsoon surge event (8 – 13 January 2021). Particularly on 10 January 2021, continuous moderate to heavy rain fell over the island, and the total rainfall of 204.0mm recorded at Changi that day was the highest recorded during this surge event.

9      In January 2021, the total rainfall recorded at the Changi climate station was 692.8mm, of which 648.6mm was recorded in the first half of the month. In the second half of the month, only 44.2mm of rain was recorded at the station. January 2021 is thus the second wettest January since rainfall records began in 1869, surpassing the previous record of second wettest January in 1918 where the total rainfall was 634.5mm. The highest ever recorded total rainfall for January is 818.6mm in January 1893.

10     The first half of January 2021 was cooler than the second half of the month, mainly due to the cloudy and rainy weather brought about by the two monsoon surge events. In the first half of the month, the daily maximum temperature was below 30°C on almost all days and the daily minimum temperature was 23°C and below on several days. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 21.1°C was recorded at Newton on 2 January 2021. With the warmer weather in the second half of January 2021, the daily maximum temperature ranged between 31°C and 33°C on most days.

11      At the Changi climate station, the monthly mean temperature of 26.0°C for January 2021 was also the lowest for January in the last 30 years, surpassing the previous January record of 26.1°C in 2018.

12      The rainfall over Singapore in January 2021 was significantly above normal. The highest anomaly of 194% above average was recorded at Changi. The anomaly was lowest at Jurong at 35% above average.

[1] A monsoon surge refers to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, causing extensive rainclouds to form over our surrounding region.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for February
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 15 January 2021 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon season is forecast to continue for the rest of January 2021 with low-level winds blowing from the northwest or northeast. Compared to the exceptionally wet and cool first fortnight of the year, the second fortnight of January 2021 is forecast to be generally dry and warm. Daily maximum temperatures in the coming fortnight are expected to range between 32°C and 33°C on most days, with highs of around 34°C on a few days.

2       In the second fortnight of January 2021, short-duration thundery showers due to strong day time heating of land areas can be expected mostly in the afternoon over parts of the island on some days. In addition, with stable atmospheric conditions arising from the presence of a dry air mass over the equatorial Southeast Asia region, Singapore can expect fair and occasionally windy conditions on a few days. While rainfall for the second half of January 2021 is expected to be below normal, the overall rainfall for January 2021 is forecast to be well above-normal due to the exceptionally wet weather in the first half of the month.

3       On most days in the second half of January 2021, the daily temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C. It is expected to be warm with daily maximum temperatures of around 34°C on days with little or no rain and when winds are light.

4      For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit our MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the MSS’ Weather@SG app, and/or the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 14 January 2021)

5      In the first fortnight of January 2021, Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region. During the fortnight, the low-level winds blew mostly from the northeast.

6      The first half of January 2021 was exceptionally wet and cool due to a surge of northeast monsoon winds (monsoon surge¹) over the equatorial South China Sea region on 1-2 January 2021 and again on 8 – 13 January 2021. The New Year weekend surge event brought widespread continuous rain, heavy at times over the island. The highest daily total rainfall recorded on 1 and 2 January 2021 were 147.3mm at Upper Changi Road East and 210.6mm at the Changi climate station respectively. The total rainfall at the climate station on 2 January 2021 was slightly less than the record high in a day for January at 216.2mm (on 30 January 2011).

7      The second monsoon surge event started on 8 January 2021 and persisted over the equatorial South China Sea for the next few days before it eased on 13 January 2021. The surge coupled with large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity brought windy and rainy weather during the period. It was particularly windy with continuous rain, heavy at times over the island on 10 January 2021. The highest daily total rainfall of 204.0mm recorded during the 6-day surge event was on 10 January 2021 at Changi.

8      At the Changi climate station, the total rainfall in the first two weeks of January 2021 was 648.4mm which ranks January 2020 as the wettest January in the last 30 years. This surpasses the 600.9mm recorded in January 2004. Based on long term statistics, January 2021’s total rainfall (to date) of 648.4mm also ranks January 2021 as the second wettest January since rainfall records in Singapore began in 1869. The wettest ever January in Singapore on record is January 1893 with a monthly total of 818.6mm.

9      The first fortnight of January 2021 was also exceptionally cool due to the cloudy and rainy weather arising from the two monsoon surge events. The daily maximum temperature was below 30°C on all days in the fortnight except for 5, 6 and 14 January 2021. The daily minimum temperature dipped to 23°C and below on the first five days of the year. The lowest daily minimum temperature in the first fortnight of the month was 21.1°C, recorded on 2 January 2021 at Newton.

10      It was also relatively windy in the first half of January 2021. At the Changi climate station, wind gusts of up to 46.9km/h were recorded on 12 Jan 2021 during the second monsoon surge event. The highest ever recorded wind gust for January at the Changi climate station was 73.4km/h. Island-wide, the highest maximum wind gust recorded in the first half of January 2021 was 70.2km/h at Admiralty on 12 January 2021.

11      Singapore received significantly above normal rainfall in the first fortnight of January 2021. The highest anomaly of 511% above average was recorded at Changi. The anomaly was lowest at Jurong at 153% above average.

¹ A monsoon surge refers to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, causing extensive rainclouds to form over our surrounding region.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for January
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 31 December 2020 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions in the region are forecast to persist into January 2021, with low-level winds blowing from the northwest or northeast. At the start of the new year, a high-pressure system over the northern Asian continent is expected strengthen and bring cooler conditions over the region.

2       In the first week of the year, with the strengthening of the high-pressure system, a surge of strong north-easterly winds (or monsoon surge) is expected over the South China Sea. This is forecast to bring windy and cooler conditions with periods of moderate to heavy showers over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity on two to three days.

3       On most days in the fortnight, moderate thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are expected in the afternoon and may extend into the evening on some days. On a few days, large-scale convergence of winds in the region could bring heavy and widespread thundery showers over the island. Overall, the rainfall for first half of January 2021 is expected to be above average over most parts of the island.

4      The monsoon surge in early January 2021 is also expected to bring cooler daily temperatures of between 22 °C and 31 °C on a few days. For the rest of the fortnight, the daily temperatures are forecast to range between 23 °C and 33 °C. The daily maximum temperature may still reach a high of up to 34 °C on one or two days.

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

REVIEW (1 – 30 December 2020)

6      In December 2020, Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region. During this period, the low-level winds blew from the northwest or northeast.

7      During the month, short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers fell over the island mostly between the afternoon and evening. On a few days, the showers extended into the night. On 26 December 2020, strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised convergence of winds brought heavy thundery showers over many parts of the island. The daily total rainfall recorded that day was 108.4mm at Mandai. This was the highest total rainfall in a day for December 2020.

8      The daily temperature in December 2020 ranged between 22.2 °C and 35.1 °C . The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.1 °C was recorded on Christmas Day at Admiralty. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 22.2 °C was recorded at Sembawang on 28 December 2020. While it rained over the island on most days of the month, the mean monthly temperature of 27.2 °C for December 2020 at the Changi climate station was 0.8 °C higher than the month’s long-term average.

9      Many parts of the island recorded near average rainfall in December 2020, except for a few parts of western Singapore where rainfall was below average. Around the Choa Chu Kang area, rainfall was 39% below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for January
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 15 December 2020 – The weather in the second fortnight of December 2020 is forecast to be less wet compared to the first fortnight of the month. During the coming fortnight, the prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are expected to persist and the low-level winds over Singapore are forecast to continue blowing from the northwest or northeast.

2       In the second fortnight of December 2020, the north-easterly winds over the South China Sea and Singapore are forecast to weaken. During this period, short-duration thundery showers due to strong day-time heating of land areas coupled with localised convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity, are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. The showers may extend into the evening on a few days. Also in the fortnight, a brief strengthening of northerly winds can be expected. This could bring windy conditions with occasional showers on one or two days. Overall, the rainfall for December 2020 is expected to be below average over most parts of the island.

3      In the coming fortnight, the daily temperature on most days is forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C. Warm conditions with maximum day-time temperatures of around 34°C in the afternoon can be expected on days when there is little or no rainfall.

4      For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit our MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the MSS’ Weather@SG app, and/or the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 14 December 2020)

5      Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed in the first half of December 2020 with low-level winds blowing from the northwest or northeast on most days.

6      During the first two weeks of December 2020, strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised convergence of winds brought short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers over the island on most days. The showers fell mostly in the afternoon, and on few days, extended into the evening. The heavy thundery showers that fell over many areas of the island on 14 December 2020 recorded a daily total rainfall of 94.0mm at Choa Chu Kang. This was the highest total rainfall in a day for the first half of December 2020.

7      In the first half of December 2020, the daily temperature ranged between 22.4°C and 34.4°C. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 34.4°C on 8 December 2020 at Paya Lebar. The daily minimum temperature on most days ranged between 23°C and 24°C, and the lowest minimum temperature recorded during the period was 22.4°C on 11 December 2020 at Sembawang.

8      About half of the island recorded below average rainfall in the first half of December 2020. The highest anomaly of 56% below average was recorded at Admiralty. The rainfall recorded at Pasir Ris was 55% above average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for December
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 1 December 2020 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions in the region are expected to persist over the next few months. During the period, the low-level winds are forecast to blow from the northwest or northeast.

2     Climatologically, December is the wettest month of the year. In the first fortnight of December 2020, with the monsoon rain band forecast to lie close to the equator, more showers can be expected over Singapore and the surrounding region. Short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers are forecast over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. These showers may extend into the evening on a few occasions. On a few days, the thundery showers could be intense and widespread due to large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. A strengthening of the north-easterly winds can be expected in the latter half of the fortnight. This is forecast to bring occasionally windy conditions on some days. The rainfall for the first fortnight of December 2020 is expected to be near-normal over most parts of Singapore.

3      In the coming fortnight, the daily temperature is forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days, and may reach 34°C on one or two days. On a few rainy days, daily lows of around 22°C can be expected.

4      For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit our MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the MSS’ Weather@SG app, and/or the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 30 November 2020)

5      Inter-monsoon conditions prevailed for most parts of November 2020 where the prevailing winds were generally light and variable in direction. A change in low-level winds to blow from the northwest or northeast in the last week of November 2020 signalled the cessation of the inter-monsoon period and the start of the Northeast Monsoon season.

6      Singapore experienced generally wet conditions in November 2020. The thundery showers fell in the afternoon on most days and on a few occasions extended into the night. On a few of these days, the thundery showers were intense and widespread. The wet weather can be attributed to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with large scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. On 2 November 2020, intense thundery showers fell over many parts of the island. The daily total rainfall recorded that day was 134.2mm at Paya Lebar. This was the highest total rainfall in a day for November 2020.

7      While the prevailing La Niña conditions may have an influence on the rainfall in November 2020, other sources of variability such as monsoonal and local wind conditions play a more dominant role in modulating the weather conditions on a day-to-day basis.

8      There were a few warm days in November 2020, mainly in the first fortnight of the month. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9°C was recorded at Clementi and Paya Lebar on 5 and 12 November 2020 respectively. In the second fortnight of November 2020, rainy weather and cloudy skies brought cooler temperatures. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 22.3°C was recorded at Pulau Ubin on 28 November 2020. At the climate station in Changi, November 2020 recorded a monthly mean temperature of 27.2°C, making November 2020 the second coolest November in the past 10 years.

9    In November 2020, rainfall was above average over most parts of the island. The highest anomaly of 78% above average was recorded at Paya Lebar. The rainfall anomaly was lowest at Queenstown at 19% below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for December
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 16 November 2020 – Inter-monsoon conditions with low level winds that are light and variable in direction have been prevailing over Singapore since the start of November 2020. In the second half of November 2020, the low-level winds are forecast to gradually strengthen and shift to blow from the northeast or northwest around the end of the month. This change in monsoonal winds signal the start of the Northeast Monsoon season, and is expected to extend into March 2021.

2      With the monsoon rain band forecast to continue to lie over the equatorial Southeast Asia region for the rest of the month, the second half of November 2020 is expected to be as wet as the first half of the month. During this period, short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. There could be a few days where the showers may extend into the evening. On one or two days where the winds are forecast to blow from the southwest or west, the passage of Sumatra squalls is expected to bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over the island between the predawn and early morning. The rainfall for November 2020 is likely to be above average over most parts of Singapore.

3      The daily temperature on most days in the second fortnight of November 2020 is forecast to range between 24°C and 34°C. Although showers are expected on most days of the fortnight, the daily maximum temperature could still reach a high of around 35°C on one or two days.

4       For updates of the daily weather and haze situation, please visit the MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app, MSS’ Weather@SG app, and the haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg).

REVIEW (1 – 15 November 2020)

5     In the first fortnight of November 2020, inter-monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore, and the monsoon rain band was located over the equatorial South China Sea region.

6     During the first half of November 2020, with winds that were light and variable in direction and strong solar heating of land areas, moderate to heavy thundery showers fell over the island on many days. On 2 Nov 2020, flash floods were reported over several areas in the afternoon following a heavy downpour over many parts of the island. The intense thundery showers that day was a result of strong solar heating of land areas coupled with convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. The highest daily rainfall recorded on 2 November 2020 was 134.2mm at Paya Lebar. This was the highest total rainfall in a day for the first half of November 2020.

7      In the first two weeks of November 2020, despite the wet conditions, there were a few warm days where the daily maximum temperature exceeded 34°C. During the period, the daily temperature ranged between 22.5°C and 34.9°C. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9°C was recorded on 5 and 12 November 2020 at Clementi and Paya Lebar respectively. The daily minimum temperature on most days ranged between 23°C and 24°C, and the lowest daily minimum temperature of 22.5°C was recorded on 2 November 2020 at Newton.

8     Most parts of the island received average to above-average rainfall in the first half of November 2020. The highest anomaly of 114% above average was recorded at Paya Lebar. The anomaly was lowest at Jurong at 40% below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for November
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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

Singapore, 2 November 2020 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are expected to weaken and gradually transition to inter-monsoon conditions in the first half of November 2020. During this period, the low-level winds over the equatorial Southeast Asia region including Singapore are forecast to become light and variable in direction.

2        The inter-monsoon conditions are forecast to last through November 2020. During the inter-monsoon period, the monsoon rain band lies close to the equatorial region, and more showers can be expected over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. The period is characterised by warm weather and thunderstorms that can at times be intense. During the inter-monsoon months, lightning activity tends to be higher than other months of the year.

3         In the first fortnight of November 2020, short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers with frequent lightning are expected over parts of the island between the afternoon and evening on most days. On some days, the presence of low-pressure systems over the South China Sea may bring a shift in the low-level winds to blow from the southwest or west. This could induce the development of Sumatra squalls in the Strait of Malacca and bring widespread thundery showers with gusty winds on several mornings. Overall, the rainfall for November 2020 is expected to be near-normal over most parts of Singapore.

4         The warm conditions experienced in the last fortnight of October 2020 is forecast to persist into the first fortnight of November 2020. The daily temperature is expected to range between 24°C and 34°C on most days and could soar to a scorching 35°C on one or two days.

5         For updates of the daily weather and haze situation, please visit the MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app, MSS’ Weather@SG app, and the haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg).

REVIEW (1 – 31 October 2020)

6      In October 2020, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region. The low-level winds blew from the south or west on most days and were light and variable in direction on a few days.

7     During the month, the influence of several tropical storms over the South China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean resulted in large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. This led to the passage of Sumatra squalls that brought widespread showers and gusty winds over Singapore between the pre-dawn hours and morning on most days. Thundery showers also fell over the island on a few nights. On 2 October 2020, heavy thundery showers fell over the western part of Singapore during the night. A daily total rainfall of 108.2 mm was recorded at Tuas that day. This was the highest rainfall recorded in a day in October 2020.

8      The Sumatra squalls brought cloudy and cool conditions on some days in October 2020. There were more warm days in the second half of October 2020 than in the first half of the month. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded in October 2020 was 34.8°C at Pulau Ubin and Admiralty on 5 and 17 October 2020 respectively. The lowest daily minimum temperature recorded in October 2020 was 22.2°C recorded at Changi on 25 October 2020.

9     In October 2020, rainfall was below average over most parts of the island. Choa Chu Kang recorded the highest rainfall anomaly of 28% above average, while Changi recorded rainfall anomaly of 48% below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for November
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

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