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More showers expected for first half of Aug 2018 arising from short-duration thundery showers mostly in the late morning and early afternoon, and from Sumatra squalls between the predawn and early morning.  A few warms days can be expected.

Singapore, 1 August 2018 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions in the region are forecast to persist in August 2018. For the first fortnight of the month, the low level winds are expected to blow mostly from the southeast or southwest, and may on brief occasions, shift to blow from the west.

2          In the first two weeks of August 2018, Singapore and the surrounding region can expect more rainfall compared to the last fortnight of July 2018. During the coming fortnight, short-duration thundery showers are forecast on five to seven days, with most of the showers occurring between the late morning and early afternoon. On some of these days, the showers could extend into the late afternoon. In addition, on two or three days, the passage of Sumatra squalls moving eastward across Singapore towards the South China Sea could bring widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers accompanied by gusty winds to the island between the predawn hours and early morning. The rainfall for the first fortnight of August 2018 is likely to be near average.

3          In the coming fortnight, the daily temperature is expected to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days.  On a few days with little or no rain, slightly warmer 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 – 31 July 2018)

5          Southwest Monsoon conditions persisted over the region in July 2018, and the low level winds were generally blowing from the southeast or southwest.

6          In July 2018, there were several days where Sumatra squalls brought widespread thundery showers with gusty winds over the island between the predawn hours and early morning. In addition, there were days where strong solar heating of land areas brought short-duration thundery showers over the island in the afternoon, which on one or two days extended into the evening. The moderate to heavy rain that fell over the northeastern part of Singapore in the late afternoon and evening on 7 July 2018 brought a total rainfall of 78.4mm, the highest daily total for July 2018.

7         On most days in July 2018, the highest daily maximum temperature was between 32°C and 33°C. The highest daily maximum temperature was 34.4°C recorded on 12 July 2018. The daily minimum temperature in July 2018 ranged between 23°C and 27°C.

8         Below normal rainfall was recorded island wide in July 2018. The lowest rainfall of 60 mm (67% below average) was recorded at Sentosa. Rainfall was highest at Ulu Pandan where 193.8 mm (2% below average) was recorded.

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

In 2015, MSS’ Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) completed the first phase of the Second National Climate Change Study, which provided climate projections up to 2100 for key variables such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and sea level rise. The Study’s findings form the basis for Singapore’s long-term climate change adaptation plans.

The Study’s methodology and findings were presented at the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action (SAMCA) held in Singapore on 10 July 2018. The presentation highlighted the complexities and challenges in generating climate scenarios and applying them to adaptation planning. It also touched on how better regional cooperation in data and knowledge exchange can overcome some of the challenges.

Dry and warm conditions to continue for rest of July 2018. Expect 3-5 days of short-duration thundery showers between late morning and early afternoon, and 1 or 2 days of widespread thundery showers between predawn and early morning.

Singapore, 16 July 2018 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist in the second half of July 2018, and continue into September/early October 2018. During this period, the low level winds over Singapore and the surrounding region are expected to blow mostly from the southeast or southwest, and on brief occasions, to blow from the west.

2         The dry and warm weather conditions that were experienced over the southern parts of Southeast Asia, including Singapore in the first half of July 2018 are forecast to persist on most days for the rest of month. During the second fortnight of July 2018, the daily temperatures are expected to range between 24°C to 34°C. On days with little or no rain, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 35°C.

3         In the next two weeks, short-duration thundery showers can still be expected on three to five days, mainly in the late morning and early afternoon. On one or two days during the period, the passage of a Sumatra squall from the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea could bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over the island between the predawn hours and early morning. Overall, the rainfall for July 2018 is expected to be below normal over many parts of Singapore.

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 July 2018)

5       In the first half of July 2018, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region with low level winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest.

6         Compared to the last fortnight of June 2018, the first fortnight of July 2018 received less rainfall due to stable atmospheric conditions that prevailed over the southern Southeast Asia region. This brought dry and warm weather conditions on most days during the first half of July 2018. The thundery showers experienced over parts of the island in the first two weeks of the month were due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity on some days, and to the passage of the Sumatra squalls over Singapore as it moved east towards the South China Sea on a few mornings. The highest daily total rainfall recorded in July 2018 was 78.4mm on 7 July 2018 around Punggol. Strong daytime heating of land areas on 7 July 2018 brought intense thundery showers over the northern and eastern parts of Singapore in the late afternoon and evening.

7         In the first fortnight of July 2018, the daily maximum temperatures ranged between 29°C and 33°C on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded during the fortnight was 34.4°C on 12 July 2018. The daily minimum temperature was around 24°C but fell below 22°C on a few occasions during intense thunderstorms.

8         About two-thirds of Singapore received below normal rainfall in the first fortnight of July 2018. The lowest rainfall of 15.2 mm (84% below average) was recorded at Queenstown. Rainfall was highest at Changi where 124.2 mm (67% above average) was recorded.

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

Expect less wet weather in 1^st half of Jul ’18 compared to 2^nd half of Jun ‘18. Thundery showers are expected on 5-7 days between late morning and early afternoon, and 1-2 days between pre-dawn and early morning. A few warm days can be expected.

Singapore, 2 July 2018 – Southwest Monsoon conditions have been prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region since June 2018. These conditions are forecast to persist in July 2018, with the low level winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest. On a few days, the winds may shift to blow briefly from the west.

2         The first two weeks of July 2018 is not expected to be as wet as the last two weeks of June 2018. With less rainfall, generally warmer temperatures can be expected. On most days in the first half of July 2018, the daily temperature is forecast to range between 25°C and 34°C, and on a few of these days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 35°C.

3         In the first fortnight of July 2018, thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are expected in the late morning and early afternoon on five to seven days. In addition, on one or two days between the predawn hours and early morning, the passage of a Sumatra squall from the Strait of Malacca towards the South China Sea is expected to bring thundery showers with occasional gusty winds over Singapore. Overall, the rainfall for the first fortnight of July 2018 is likely to be slightly below normal over most parts of Singapore.

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 June 2018)

5         In June 2018, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the region, and the low level winds were predominantly blowing from the southeast or southwest. June 2018 was a relatively wet month with most of the showers occurring in the second half of June 2018 than the first half of the month.

6         In the first two weeks of June 2018, there were several dry and warm weather days due to stable atmospheric conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region. In the second fortnight of June 2018, winds converging over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity brought moderate to heavy thundery showers to the island in the morning and early afternoon on most days. In addition, the passage of Sumatra squalls on a few days brought widespread thundery showers with gusty winds to Singapore between the predawn hours and morning.

7         In June 2018, the rain was heaviest on 26 June 2018 where the highest daily total rainfall recorded was 179.8mm around the Toh Tuck area. In addition, this is the fifth highest rainfall ever recorded (based on any rainfall station on the island) for the month of June, and is also the highest daily rainfall recorded to date in 2018.

8         The daily temperature in June 2018 ranged between 21.5°C and 35.0°C. In the first half of June 2018, there were a few days that were dry and warm with daily maximum temperatures of above 34°C. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.0°C was recorded at the Marina Barrage area on 6 June 2018. In the second half of June 2018, wetter weather brought relatively cooler temperatures to the island. During this period, there were 7 days where the daily maximum temperatures recorded were below 32.0°C, and 9 days where the daily minimum temperature fell below 23°C.

9          At the Changi climate station, the lowest daily maximum temperature recorded was 27.7°C on 27 June 2018, and the mean monthly daily maximum temperature recorded was 31.3°C, 0.7°C below the long-term mean for June.

10         Singapore received well above-normal rainfall in June 2018. The lowest rainfall of 151.0 mm (5% above average) was recorded at Admiralty. Rainfall was highest at Ulu Pandan (around the Toh Tuck area) where 648.2 mm (270% above average) was recorded.

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

Southwest Monsoon to bring drier and warmer conditions. Localized and short-duration thundery showers forecast on three to five days in late morning and early afternoon. Widespread showers with gusty winds on one to two days in predawn hours and morning.

Singapore, 1 June 2018 – The Southwest Monsoon is expected to set in during the first fortnight of June 2018, with the prevailing winds strengthening and blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest. The Southwest Monsoon season typically last till September and is characterised by relatively drier and warmer weather conditions.

2         During the coming fortnight, drier conditions can be expected compared to the previous fortnight in May 2018. Localized short duration thundery showers are forecast in the late morning and early afternoon on three to five days due to strong heating of the land areas. In addition, widespread showers with gusty winds are likely in the predawn hours and morning on one to two days.  Rainfall for the first fortnight of June 2018 is likely to be below normal.

3         With lesser rainfall, generally warmer temperatures can be expected. During this period, the daily temperature is expected to range between 25°C and 34°C on most days, with the possibility of reaching 35°C on a few days.

4         For updates of the daily weather forecast, 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.

REVIEW (1 – 31 May 2018)

5         Inter-monsoon conditions persisted in Singapore in May 2018.  The low level prevailing winds were generally light and variable in direction, occasionally blowing from the east or southeast.

6         During the month, thundery showers affected Singapore in the late morning and afternoon on most days, and extended into the evening on some days.  On 13 May 2018, widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers affected Singapore between the early hours and mid-day due to strong convergence of winds over Singapore.  During the event, heavy rain fell over western parts of Singapore between 7am and 11am, with the highest daily total rainfall of 121.6mm recorded over the Choa Chu Kang area. The second half of the month was generally wetter than the first half.

7         For the month of May 2018, the daily maximum temperature ranged between 30.8°C and 35.4°C, and the daily minimum temperature ranged between 22.4°C and 27.0°C. There were up to 5 days with temperatures greater than 35.0°C recorded on the 3, 4, 12, 24 and 25 May 2018 over the northern, southern and western parts of Singapore. The night-time temperatures were also warm on some days, especially during the second week of the month when the night-time temperature stayed above 27.0°C.

8         About three quarters of Singapore received above-normal rainfall in May 2018. The lowest rainfall of 118.0 mm (36% below average) was recorded at Sentosa. Rainfall was highest around Paya Lebar where 343.8 mm (79% above average) was recorded.

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

Inter-monsoon conditions have set in over Singapore.  Expect more short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers in second half of April 2018 accompanied with high lightning activity.  A few warm days with maiximum temperature around 35 deg C expected. 

Singapore, 16 April 2018 – Inter-monsoon conditions have set in over Singapore and the surrounding region, and are forecast to persist for the rest of April and extend into May 2018. During this period, the low level winds are generally light and variable in direction.

2          The inter-monsoon period is characterised by warm weather and moderate to heavy thundery showers falling mostly in the afternoon and occasionally extending into the evening. Typically, thunderstorms during the inter-monsoon period are more intense than other times of the year. This is due to strong solar heating of land areas as the sun is closer to the Equator. April is climatologically the month with one of the highest number of lightning occurrences.

3          The second fortnight of April 2018 is forecast to be wetter than the first fortnight, with short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers expected mainly in the afternoon on seven to nine days. Also in this fortnight, Sumatra squalls moving from the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea could bring widespread thundery showers accompanied with gusty winds over Singapore on two or three days between the predawn hours and early morning. With the expected wetter conditions in the coming fortnight, the overall rainfall for April 2018 is likely to be near average.

4          Climatologically, April is one of the warmest months of the year. In the second half of April 2018, a few warm days can be expected. On most days, the daily temperatures are expected to range between 24°C and 34°C, and could reach a high of around 35°C on a few days. With expected widespread rain on a few days in the coming fortnight, the minimum temperature on these days could reach a low of around 23°C.

5         For updates of the daily weather forecast, 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.

REVIEW (1 – 15 April 2018)

6          The Northeast Monsoon conditions gave way to the inter-monsoon conditions in the first half of April 2018. The prevailing low level winds over Singapore became light and variable in direction having been predominantly blowing from the northeast or northwest for the past few months.

7          In the first half of April 2018, the strong daytime heating of the land area coupled with generally light winds during the day were conducive conditions for the development of thundery showers over Singapore. Most of the thundery showers fell in the afternoon and were more intense in the second week of April 2018. Rainfall was heaviest on 7 April 2018 around the MacRitchie Reservoir area where the daily total rainfall recorded was 138mm.

8          There were some warm days during the first fortnight of April 2018. The daily maximum temperature ranged between 33.2°C and 34.9°C, particularly over the northern and western parts of Singapore. The highest value of 34.9°C was recorded at Khatib in Yishun. The daily minimum temperature ranged from 22.5°C to 25.5°C.

9         About two-thirds of Singapore received below-normal rainfall in the first fortnight of April 2018. The lowest rainfall of 20.4mm (73% below average) was recorded at Changi. Rainfall was highest around Jurong where 219.8mm (66% above average) was recorded.

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

Inter-monsoon conditions with light and variable winds expected in 1st fortnight of April 2018. Expect afternoon thundery showers which can be intense at times, accompanied by high lightning activity. Some warms days expected.

Singapore, 2 April 2018 – In the first fortnight of April 2018, the low level northeasterly winds are forecast to gradually shift to become light and variable in direction. The change in conditions would signal the cessation of the Northeast Monsoon season and the start of the inter-monsoon period.

2        Inter-monsoon conditions are forecast to prevail in April and extend into May 2018. The period is characterised by warm weather and thunderstorms, at times intense, occurring in the afternoon and evening. During the inter-monsoon months, lightning activity tends to be higher than other months of the year.

3          The first fortnight of April 2018 is not expected to be as wet as the last two weeks of March 2018. In the first half of the month, short-duration thundery showers, which can be heavy at times, are expected in the afternoon and evening on seven to nine days. Overall, the rainfall for the first fortnight of April 2018 is expected to be below average.

4          April is climatologically one of the warmest months of the year. In the first half of April 2018, some warm days with daily maximum temperatures of around 34°C can be expected. On a few days when dry and warm weather conditions are forecast, the daily maximum temperatures could reach a high of around 35°C. The daily minimum temperature is forecast to range between 23°C and 25°C, with the lower temperature on 23°C likely when it rains for most parts of the day.

5         For updates of the daily weather forecast, 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.

REVIEW (1 – 31 March 2018)

6          Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed in the region in March 2018. The low level winds over Singapore blew predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

7         In March 2018, most of the thundery showers occurred in the afternoon due to strong daytime heating of land areas and/or convergence of winds over Singapore or surrounding sea areas. The thundery showers were intense on a few afternoons. In particular, on 30 March 2018, the downdraft from an intense thunderstorm brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the western parts of Singapore around Choa Chu Kang and Jurong. The strongest wind gust recorded that day was 133.3 km/h at Tengah which was the strongest wind gust recorded since 2010. While the rainfall from the intense thunderstorm on 30 March 2018 was heavy, it did not record the highest daily rainfall for the month. The highest daily rainfall for March 2018 was 93.2mm recorded at Queenstown due to a heavy downpour in the afternoon of 24 March 2018.

8          The daily maximum and minimum temperature recorded in March 2018 ranged from 26.6°C to 35.7°C, and from 21.4°C to 24.7°C respectively. There were some warm days in March 2018 where the daily maximum temperature recorded on five of these days were in the 35°C range. The high daily maximum temperatures were recorded around the northern and western parts of the island around the Admiralty and Clementi areas.

9         Most parts of Singapore received well below-normal rainfall in March 2018. The lowest rainfall of 38mm (82% below average) was recorded at Paya Lebar. Rainfall was highest around Jurong area where 280.0mm (31% above average) was recorded.

[1] A monsoon surge refers to the strengthening of northeasterly winds blowing from a strong high-pressure system over the northern Asian continent toward the South China Sea, bringing periods of prolonged widespread rain and windy conditions to the surrounding region including Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. (Further information is available at  https://www.weather.gov.sg/learn_weather_systems/).

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