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Expect warm and occasionally windy conditions with passing showers on 3 – 4 days as we step into the first week of the new year. Warm and windy weather likely to ease with more showers expected towards the end of the 1st week of Jan 2019.

Singapore, 31 December 2018 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon in the region is expected to persist into January 2019 with the high pressure system over the northern Asian continent strengthening over the next few days. The low level winds are forecast to blow mainly from the northwest in the first week before shifting to blow from the northeast towards the second week of January 2019.

2         In the first fortnight of January 2019, Singapore is expected to experience short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers mainly in the afternoon on six to eight days. In the first week of the month, a tropical storm is forecast to move into the South China Sea and bring a strengthening of northwesterly to northerly winds over Singapore and the surrounding region. Coupled with slightly drier atmospheric conditions, warm and occasionally windy conditions with passing showers can be expected on three to four days that week.

3         The daily temperatures in the first fortnight of January 2019 are expected to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days. On days when there is little or no rainfall, warm conditions with maximum temperatures of around 34°C can be expected.

4         The warm and windy weather is likely to ease with more showers expected towards the end of the first week of January 2019. Overall, rainfall for the first fortnight of January 2019 is forecast to be near-normal.

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 myENV app, or the MSS’ Weather@SG app.

REVIEW (1 – 30 December 2018)

6          Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed in December 2018, with low level winds blowing mainly from the north or northeast in the first three weeks of the month. Under the influence of a low pressure system in the South China Sea in the last week of December 2018, the low level winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity turned to blow from the west.

7         Singapore and the surrounding region experienced wet weather conditions in the first three weeks of the month due to the close proximity of the monsoon rain band to the equatorial South China Sea region. Thundery showers fell over many parts of the island in the afternoon on most days during this period, occasionally stretching into the evening. The highest daily total rainfall of 97.3 mm was recorded on 20 December 2018 at Yio Chu Kang. The intense thunderstorms, which developed due to strong solar heating, brought gusty winds that felled two trees at Sembawang Park. A maximum wind gust of 63.0 km/h was recorded at Seletar on that day. In addition, a waterspout developed from intense thunderstorms over the sea areas southeast of East Coast Park, which was sighted from various locations in Singapore in the late afternoon.

8        The last week of December 2018 saw a change in winds to blow more from the west and showers affected mainly the western and southern parts of Singapore on a few mornings. A Sumatra squall affected Singapore in the early hours and predawn hours on 26 December 2018, bringing thundery showers and gusty winds to parts of the island. The strongest wind gust of 77.4 km/h was recorded at Pasir Panjang on that day. In the last week of 2018, Singapore experienced drier and warmer conditions due to strong solar heating and low rainfall under the stable atmospheric conditions over our region, arising from a low pressure system in the South China Sea that drew some rainclouds away from our region.

9          During the month, Singapore’s daily maximum temperature ranged between 32.5°C and 34.0°C.  The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.7°C was recorded on 23 December 2018 in the Newton area. The daily minimum temperature mainly ranged between 23.0°C and 24.5°C. At the Changi climate station, the mean monthly temperature for December 2018 (as of 30 December) is 27.6°C. This is 1.2°C higher than the long term average temperature of 26.4 deg C for December, and slightly warmer than the December in the last two years.

10         About two thirds of the island received below normal rainfall in December 2018. The lowest rainfall of 126.2mm (58% below average) was recorded in the Pasir Ris area. Rainfall was highest around the Jurong area where 357.4mm (33% above average) was recorded.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER (Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

Northeast Monsoon conditions with prevailing northeast winds have set in over S’pore. In next fortnight, expect 7-9 days of afternoon thundery showers, and 1-2 days to be cloudy and occasionally windy with widespread rain due to monsoon surge.

Singapore, 30 November 2018 – The Northeast Monsoon season has set in over Singapore and the surrounding region, and is expected to prevail till March 2019. During the season, the prevailing winds over the region are expected to blow mainly from the northeast or northwest.

2         For the next two months, the Northeast Monsoon will be in its wet phase where the monsoon rain band typically lies over the equatorial South China Sea. Over Singapore and the surrounding region, it is likely to be wet with more occurrences of short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers in the afternoon. On some days during the season, a surge of strong northeasterly winds blowing southward over the South China Sea could bring occasionally windy conditions with frequent spells of widespread rain showers over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. This strengthening of northeasterly winds over the South China Sea, known as a monsoon surge, can last for between two and five days, and also bring cooler temperatures to Singapore. Between two and four monsoon surge events can be expected during the wet phase of the Northeast Monsoon season.

3         The weather in the first fortnight of December 2018 is expected be wet. On seven to nine days in the fortnight, thundery showers occurring mostly in the afternoon can be expected. On a few of these days, the showers could extend into the evening. A monsoon surge is forecast towards the end of the fortnight. This could bring cloudy and occasionally windy conditions with periods of moderate rain, heavy at times, over Singapore and the surrounding region for one or two days. The prevailing winds are also expected to shift to temporarily blow from the west on one to two days during the fortnight. This could bring thundery showers over the island in the morning from a Sumatra squall. For the first half of December 2018, rainfall is forecast to be above normal.

4         In the first half of December 2018, the daily temperature on most days is expected to range between 24°C and 32°C.  There could be a few days during the period where cooler temperatures are expected and the daily minimum temperature recorded could reach a low of between 22°C and 23°C.

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 myENV app, or the MSS’ Weather@SG app.

REVIEW (1 – 29 November 2018)

6         Singapore experienced relatively wet conditions in November 2018. Thundery showers fell over the island on most days of the month.

7         The prevailing winds in November 2018 were mostly light and variable in direction until the end of the month where there was a change in the winds to blow more from the northeast. This change in wind direction in the last week of November 2018 signalled the cessation of the inter-monsoon period and the start of the Northeast Monsoon season.

8       In the first half of November 2018, the light wind conditions coupled with strong solar heating of land areas were conducive for the development of thunderstorm clouds. This brought intense thundery showers in the afternoon over Singapore. In the second half of the month, the prevailing winds blew from the southwest or west for several days, feeding into a low pressure system north of Singapore in the South China Sea. On several days, the thundery showers over Singapore between the early hours and morning were due to Sumatra squalls moving from the Strait of Malacca over the island.

9       The highest daily total rainfall recorded in November 2018 was 110.8mm at Tuas on 21 November 2018. The heavy rainfall that day was caused by an intense Sumatra squall that brought widespread thundery showers accompanied gusty winds over the island. The strongest gust recorded that day was 73.8 km/h at Pasir Panjang. The second highest daily total rainfall of 104.5mm was recorded at Holland Road on 11 November 2018.

10       In November 2018, the daily maximum temperature on most days ranged between 32°C and 34°C. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 34.8°C on 28 November 2018 at Clementi. The daily minimum temperature on most days ranged between 23°C and 24°C, and the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the month was 21.4°C on 17 November 2018 at Jurong West.

11       Many parts of Singapore received well above average rainfall in November 2018. The highest rainfall of 433.8 mm (80% above average) was recorded at Jurong, and the lowest rainfall of 162 mm (35% below the average) was recorded at Changi.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER (Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

Northeast Monsoon conditions to set in towards end Nov’18 and last till Mar’19. Expect the second half of November to be less wet than first, with thundery showers on 5–7 days in afternoon and Sumatra squalls with gusty winds on 3 or 4 mornings.

Singapore, 16 November 2018 –  Inter-monsoon conditions with winds that are light and variable in direction have been prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region since late October 2018. In the second half of November 2018, the inter-monsoon conditions are forecast to persist, and a gradual strengthening and shift in the wind direction to blow from the northeast or northwest are expected towards the end of the month. This change in the monsoonal winds signals the start of the Northeast Monsoon season, and is expected to extend into March 2019.

2         The second half of November 2018 is expected to be less wet than the first half of the month. For the rest of November 2018, localised short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected mostly in the afternoon on five to seven days, with the showers extending into the evening on a few of these days. These showers are due to the favourable light wind conditions coupled with strong solar heating of the land areas during the day. On three or four days where the winds are forecast to blow from the southwest or west, the passage of Sumatra squalls moving across Singapore from the Strait of Malacca is expected to bring widespread thundery showers accompanied with gusty winds in the morning. Overall, the rainfall for November 2018 is likely to be above normal.

3         In the second half of November 2018, the daily temperature on most days is expected to range between 24°C and 33°C.  There could be a few warm days during this period where the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 34°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 myENV app, or the MSS’ Weather@SG app.

REVIEW (1 – 15 November 2018)

5         In the first fortnight of November 2018, inter-monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore, and the monsoon rain band was located over the equatorial South China Sea region.

6         With winds that were light and variable in direction and ample solar heating of land areas, Singapore experienced moderate to heavy thundery showers in the afternoon on many days. On a few of these days, the thundery showers continued into the night.  On 10 and 11 November 2018, flash floods were reported over several parts of the island in the afternoon following a heavy downpour over many parts of the island. On 10 November 2018, the highest daily total rainfall recorded was 103.6 mm at Bukit Panjang. This was exceeded on 11 November when the Holland Road area recorded a daily total rainfall of 104.5mm.  The heavy downpour was as a result of localized sea breeze convergence and strong solar heating over land areas during the day.

7        In the first half of November 2018, despite the wet conditions, there were a few warm days where the daily maximum temperature was above 34°C. On most days, the daily maximum temperature ranged between 32°C and 34°C. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 34.5°C, recorded on 4 November 2018 at Clementi. The daily minimum temperate on most days ranged between 23°C and 24°C, and the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded in the first half of the month was 22.7°C on 11 November 2018 (at Jurong West and Newton).

8       About three quarters of Singapore received well above average rainfall in the first half of November 2018. The highest rainfall of 309.6 mm (140% above average) was recorded at Bukit Panjang, and the lowest rainfall of 57.2mm (56% below the average) was recorded at Changi.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER (Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

Singapore, 16 October 2018 – In the second fortnight of October 2018, the low level southeasterly or southwesterly winds are forecast to gradually weaken to become light and variable in direction by the last week of the month. The change in conditions would signal the cessation of the Southwest Monsoon season and the start of the inter-monsoon period.

2         The inter-monsoon conditions are forecast to last through November 2018, and 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         The second fortnight of October 2018 is not expected to be as wet as the first fortnight of the month. For the rest of the month, localised short-duration thundery showers due to strong day-time heating of land areas coupled with convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity, are expected in the late morning and afternoon on five to seven days. On one or two days, widespread thundery showers accompanied with gusty winds can be expected over Singapore between predawn hours and early morning, arising from Sumatra squalls moving eastwards from the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea. Overall, the rainfall for October 2018 is expected to be above normal over most parts of Singapore.

4         In the second half of October 2018, the daily temperatures on most days are forecast to range between 25°C and 33°C. Warm conditions with maximum day-time temperatures that could reach a high of around 35°C in the afternoon can be expected on a few days when there is little or no rainfall.

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 myENV app, or the MSS’ Weather@SG app.

REVIEW (1 – 15 October 2018)

6         Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed in the first fortnight of October 2018 with low level winds blowing mainly from the east-southeast or south-southwest.

7         For most days in the first week of the month, stable atmospheric conditions in the region brought dry and warm weather over Singapore and the surrounding region. In contrast, the region experienced rainy conditions in the second week of October 2018. The wet weather over Singapore and the surrounding region was due to the presence of persistent easterly winds bringing moisture from the Tropical Central Pacific Ocean to the southern Southeast Asia region between 6 and 14 October 2018. The total rainfall of 109.8mm recorded at Sentosa on 9 October 2018 was the highest daily rainfall recorded in the first fortnight of October 2018.

8         The daily temperature recorded in the first fortnight of October 2018 ranged between 22.5°C and 35.6°C. It was dry and warm on most days in the first week of the month, and the daily maximum temperature recorded that week was around 35°C on a few days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.6°C was recorded on 5 October 2018 at Marina Barrage. The rainy weather in the second week of October 2018 brought relatively cool conditions and some respite to the warm conditions experienced the week before. On 13 and 14 October 2018, with overcast skies and several spells of rain showers throughout the day, the daily maximum temperature recorded on both days fell to 30.1°C and 28.4°C respectively. The lowest daily minimum temperature recorded during the rainy period (6 – 14 October 2018) ranged between 22.5°C and 23.6°C. The lowest daily minimum temperature of 22.5°C was recorded around the Changi area on 12 October 2018.

9         Rainfall during the first fortnight of October 2018 was above normal across the island. Highest rainfall of 224.0 mm (170% above average) was recorded around the Sentosa area. Areas in the northeastern part of Singapore around Changi, Pasir Ris and Seletar received rainfall ranging from 162 mm to 198 mm (90 to 166% above the average). Areas around Ulu Pandan received the lowest rainfall of 99.6 mm (9% below the average).

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

Singapore, 1 October 2018 – The current Southwest Monsoon conditions with low level winds blowing from the southeast or south are expected to gradually weaken in the first fortnight of October 2018. In the second week of October, more showers are forecast for Singapore and the surrounding region. The showers are expected to bring some respite to the persisting dry and warm weather over Singapore since mid-September 2018.

2            During the fortnight, with weak winds and strong solar heating of land areas, Singapore can expect thundery showers mostly in the afternoon on six to eight days. Overall, the rainfall for the first fortnight of October 2018 is expected to be near-normal.

3          On most days in the fortnight, the daily temperature is forecast to range between 25°C and 33°C.  On a few days when there is little or no rainfall, warm conditions with maximum temperatures of around 34°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 myENV app, or the MSS’ Weather@SG app.

REVIEW (1 – 30 September 2018)

5         In September 2018, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed with the low level winds blowing mainly from the southeast or south.

6         During the month, Singapore experienced thundery showers mostly in the late morning and afternoon. In the first half of the month, the thundery showers that fell over the island were due to wind convergence over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity and to the passage of Sumatra squalls that crossed over Singapore from the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea. The heaviest rainfall in September 2018 occurred on 7 September at Upper Thomson where the daily total rainfall recorded was 121.6mm. Compared to the first half of September, there was less rainfall in the second half of the month. The thundery showers that fell over the island in the afternoon on some days in the last two weeks of September were localised and of short-duration. The overall rainfall in September 2018 was near-normal.

7         The last two weeks of September 2018 was also warmer and drier than the first half of the month. The daily maximum temperature in the first fortnight of the month ranged between 30.1°C and 33.6°C. In the second fortnight of the month, with fair and warm conditions, the daily maximum temperature recorded was between 31.8°C and 35.2°C. The daily minimum temperature during the month ranged between 21.4°C and 27.3°C

8        Above-average rainfall was recorded over two-thirds of the island in September 2018. The lowest rainfall of 88.2 mm (54% below average) was recorded at Choa Chu Kang West. Rainfall was highest at the Thomson area where 289.8 mm (59% above average) was recorded.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS FOR October
(Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)

2^nd half of Sept’18 to be less wet with fewer rain days than the first half of the month. Expect 4-6 days of thundery showers mostly in the late morning and early afternoon, and Sumatra squalls bringing widespread rain on 1 or 2 mornings.

Singapore, 14 September 2018 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist for the rest of September 2018. The low level winds over Singapore during this period are expected to blow from the southeast or southwest.

2           The second fortnight of September 2018 is forecast to experience less wet weather and fewer rain days compared to the first half of the month. During the fortnight, thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas, are expected mostly in the late morning and early afternoon on four to six days. The showers could extend into the late afternoon on a few of these days. In addition, on one or two mornings, the passage of Sumatra squall could bring widespread thundery showers accompanied by gusty winds over Singapore as the squall moves east toward the South China Sea. Overall, the rainfall for September 2018 is expected to be near-normal.

3         The daily temperature range on most days of the fortnight is likely to be between 25°C and 33°C.  On a few days when there is with little or no rainfall, warmer conditions with maximum temperatures of around 34°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 myENV app, or the MSS’ Weather@SG app.

REVIEW (1 – 13 September 2018)

5         Southwest Monsoon conditions persisted over Singapore and the region in the first half of September 2018. During the fortnight, the low level winds over Singapore were blowing mainly from the southeast or south.

6         On most days in the first half of September 2018, the thundery showers fell over the island between the morning and early afternoon. The wet weather on these days were due to convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity or to the eastward passage of Sumatra squalls from the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea. In particular, the heavy rainfall over many parts of the island on 7 September, was due to a large-scale convergence of winds in the region. The daily total rainfall of 121.6mm recorded at the Upper Thomson area that day was the highest total rainfall in a day for the first fortnight of September 2018.

7         With wet weather conditions experienced on most days during the fortnight, the first half September 2018 was generally less warm compared to the last fortnight of August 2018. The daily maximum temperature in the first half of September 2018 ranged between 30.1°C and 33.7°C, and the daily minimum temperature was between 21.4°C or 26.4°C.  On 4 September, Singapore experienced a pleasant maximum temperature of only 28.7°C following the widespread rainfall in the morning as a result of the passage of a Sumatra squall over Singapore and the surrounding region.

8        Above-average rainfall was recorded over three quarters of the island in the first half of September 2018. The lowest rainfall of 32.4 mm (64% below average) was recorded at Choa Chu Kang West. Rainfall was highest at Katong where 182.0 mm (161% above average) was recorded.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER (Climatological reference period: 1981 – 2010)