Category Archives: News

A few dry and warm days can still be expected

Singapore, 1 September 2016 – The region continues to experience Southwest Monsoon conditions. In the first fortnight of September 2016, the low level winds are forecast to blow predominantly from the southeast or southwest, and are expected to blow from the west on a few days.

2        Over the next two weeks, Singapore can expect five to seven days of short-duration thundery showers mostly in the late morning and afternoon due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with wind convergence. In addition, thundery showers with occasional gusty winds can be expected on one or two days between the predawn hours and morning due to squall lines moving eastwards from the Strait of Malacca. The rainfall for the first fortnight of September 2016 is likely to be slightly above normal.

3        During the outlook period, dry and warm weather conditions can still be expected on a few days where the daily maximum temperatures could reach around 34°C. On most days, the daily maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 32°C and 33°C.

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

REVIEW: 1 – 31 August 2016

5        In August 2016, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region and the low level winds blew from the south or southwest on most days and from the west on a few days.

6        Singapore experienced a few warm days in the first half of August 2016. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded in August 2016 ranged between 29.1°C and 35.4°C. At the Changi climate station, the mean daily maximum temperature for August 2016 was 31.8°C, which is the highest mean daily maximum temperature recorded for August in the last ten years. In addition, the mean monthly temperature recorded was 28.9°C, approximately 1°C warmer than the long-term August mean temperature.

7        Compared to the first half of August 2016, Singapore experienced more rain days in the second half of the month. On 24 August 2016, a Sumatra squall brought heavy rainfall to many parts of Singapore. The heaviest rain that day fell over Jurong Island where a total of 69.2mm of rainfall was recorded. Most of the thundery showers in August 2016 fell in the late morning and early afternoon and were due to strong solar heating of land areas.

8        Rainfall for Singapore was below normal for August 2016. The highest rainfall of 213mm (4% above average) was recorded around the Choa Chu Kang area. Rainfall was lowest around Jurong West where 85.6mm (52% below average) was recorded.

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

Significantly below normal rainfall expected for August 2016

Advisory

Singapore, 16 August 2016 –The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions will continue into the second half of August 2016 and the low level winds are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast or southwest.

2          For the rest of August 2016, short-duration thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are likely on three or five days, mostly in the late morning and early afternoon. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls are expected in the morning on one or two days. Rainfall for August 2016 is expected to be significantly below normal.

3          The current dry weather conditions experienced in recent days are expected to prevail in the second half of August 2016. In addition, a few warm days can be expected with the daily maximum temperatures forecast to range between 32°C and 33°C on most days and could reach around 34°C on a few days.

REVIEW (1 – 15 August 2016)

4          Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region in the first fortnight of August 2016, and the low level winds blew from the southeast or southwest.

5          Singapore experienced a few warm days during the review period. The highest daily maximum temperature was 35.4⁰C recorded in the northern part of Singapore on 10 August 2016. At the Changi climate station, the total rainfall recorded for the first half of August 2016 was 41.2mm, approximately 72% below the long-term mean of 148.9mm for August. In addition, the mean monthly temperature recorded during this period was 28.9°C, approximately 1°C warmer than the long-term August mean temperature.

6          During the first two weeks of the month, Singapore experienced dry weather conditions on most days. Thundery showers affected a few areas on some days mainly in the late morning and early afternoon. The heaviest rain fell over the Choa Chu Kang area on 11 August 2016 where a total of 65.6mm of rainfall was recorded. On 3 August 2016, a Sumatra squall that moved across Singapore in the predawn hours brought strong wind gusts of up to 86.1km/h around the West Coast areas.

7          Rainfall across Singapore was below normal in the first half of August 2016. The highest rainfall of 56mm (39% below average) was recorded around Serangoon. Rainfall was lowest around Jurong West where 4mm (95% below average) was recorded.

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

Thundery showers are still expected on some days

Advisory

Singapore, 1 August 2016 –  Southwest Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist in August 2016 with the low level winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

2          In the first fortnight of August 2016, short-duration thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are forecast to occur in the late morning and early afternoon on four to five days. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls are likely on one to two days in the pre-dawn and morning. Rainfall for the first fortnight of August 2016 is expected to be slightly below normal.

3          Compared to the weather conditions in the second half July 2016, the first fortnight of August 2016 is expected to be generally drier and warmer. The daily maximum temperatures for the next fortnight is forecast to range between 33°C and 34°C, and could reach around 35°C on a few days.

REVIEW (1 – 31 July 2016)

4          Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region in July 2016, with the low level winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest.

5          Singapore experienced several warm days in the first half of July 2016, when the daily maximum temperatures ranged between 30.2°C and 36°C. With wetter weather in the second half of the month, it was a relatively cooler fortnight with the daily maximum temperatures ranging between 28.8°C and 34.7°C. At the Changi climate station, the mean monthly temperature recorded for July 2016 was 28.4°C, warmer than the long-term mean of 27.9°C for July.

6          Singapore experienced relatively wet conditions in July 2016 as a result of strong convergence of winds in the surrounding region as well as the passage of Sumatra squalls on several days. The heaviest rain fell on 21 July 2016 and brought a daily rainfall of 96.8mm to the East Coast area.

7          Almost all parts of Singapore received above normal rainfall in July 2016. The highest rainfall of 426mm (120% above average) was recorded over the western part of the island around Tengah. Rainfall was lowest around Buangkok where 146.6mm (16% below average) was recorded.

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

New record for highest 1-day total rainfall in June 2016 

Advisory

Singapore, 1 July 2016 –   The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions will continue in the first fortnight of July 2016, and the low level winds are expected to blow mainly from the southeast or southwest.

2          In the first half of July 2016, most of the thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are forecast to occur in the late morning and early afternoon on 4 to 6 days. In addition, on one or two mornings, the passage of a Sumatra squall is expected to bring thundery showers with gusty winds to most parts of the island. The rainfall for the first fortnight of July 2016 is likely to be normal.

3          In the first fortnight of July 2016, some days of dry and warm weather conditions can be expected. On these days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of 35°C. For other days, the daily maximum temperature is forecast to range between 32°C and 34°C.

REVIEW (1 – 30 June 2016)

4          In June 2016, the region experienced Southwest Monsoon conditions with low level winds blowing predominantly from the south-southeast or southwest.

5          Singapore experienced a few warm days with low rainfall in the last week of June 2016. On 29 June 2016, the daily maximum temperature reached 35.70C, the highest temperature recorded for June 2016. Daily minimum temperatures of between 22.2°C and 22.5°C were recorded on a few days when there was widespread rain. At the Changi climate station, the mean monthly temperature recorded for June 2016 was 28.5°C, which is slightly warmer than the long-term mean of 28.3°C for June but cooler than the mean temperature of 29.0°C for June recorded in the last three years.

6          In the first three weeks of June 2016, most of the thundery showers which were due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with the convergence of winds over Singapore occurred in the late morning and afternoon. On a few days during this period, the passage of Sumatra squalls brought moderate to heavy thundery showers to many parts of Singapore in the pre-dawn hours and morning. On 17 June 2016, the heavy thundery showers that fell over Tuas recorded a daily total rainfall of 217mm, the highest ever recorded for the month of June. The previous highest daily total rainfall record for June was 144.6mm on 4 June 2011 at Pasir Ris.

7       Most parts of Singapore received above average rainfall in June 2016. The highest rainfall of 374.2mm (126% above average) was recorded around Jurong. Rainfall was lowest around Admiralty where 116mm (19% below average) was recorded.

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

Near average rainfall expected for June

Advisory

Singapore, 16 June 2016 – The Southwest Monsoon conditions which set in during the first half of June 2016 are expected to persist into the second fortnight of June 2016. During this period, the low level winds are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast or southwest.

2          In the second half of June 2016, short-duration thundery showers can be expected mostly in the late morning and afternoon on five to seven days, due to strong day time convective heating and convergence of winds around Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. In addition, widespread thundery showers with occasional gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls, are likely in the predawn hours and morning on one to two days. The rainfall for June 2016 is likely to be near average.

3          During the outlook period, the daily maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 32°C and 33°C, reaching around 34°C on a few days. This is within the typical daily maximum temperature range for June.

REVIEW (1 – 15 June 2016)

4          Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed in the region in the first fortnight of June 2016 with the low level winds blowing from the southeast or southwest.

5          During the review period, the highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 34.6°C over the north-eastern part of Singapore around the Seletar area. On days when there was rainfall, the lowest recorded daily minimum temperature fell to between 22°C and 23°C.  As of 15 June 2016, the mean monthly temperature recorded at the Changi climate station was 28.6°C, slightly warmer than the June long-term mean of 28.3°C.

6          Thundery showers in the late morning and early afternoon were experienced over Singapore on most days in the first two weeks of June 2016.  The showers were due to strong heating of land areas coupled with convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity. The heaviest rain fell on 2 June 2016 and brought a total of 86.6mm of rainfall to the Seletar area.

7          Most parts of Singapore received above average rainfall in the first half of June 2016. The highest rainfall of 222mm (187% above average) was recorded around Seletar. Rainfall was lowest around Sentosa where 46.8mm (31% below average) was recorded.

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

Near normal weather conditions expected with end of the El Nino

Advisory

Singapore, 1 June 2016 – In the first half of June 2016, the prevailing low level winds are forecast to blow predominantly from the southeast or southwest. This signals the start of the Southwest Monsoon season which typically extends from June to September/early October.

2      In the first fortnight of June 2016, short-duration thundery showers can be expected mostly in the late morning and early afternoon on five to seven days due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls are likely on one to two days in the pre-dawn and morning. Rainfall for the first fortnight of June 2016 is expected to be slightly below average.

3      During the outlook period, daily maximum temperatures of between 32°C and 33°C are expected on most days, and could reach around 34°C on a few days. During the Southwest Monsoon season, the nights can be relatively warm, in particular on non-rain days. This usually occurs when the winds are light and blow from the southeast, bringing in warm, humid air from the sea toward the land.

4      With the weakening of the El Nino to neutral conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, close to normal rainfall and temperatures can be expected for Singapore in the next one or two months. However international climate centres forecast that a La Nina could develop in the later part of the year, and this usually brings above average rainfall to our surrounding region.

REVIEW (1 – 31 May 2016)

5      Inter-Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region in May 2016. Towards the end of the month, the prevailing light and variable winds gradually strengthened and blew from the southeast or southwest, indicating a transition to Southwest Monsoon conditions.

6      In the first fortnight of May 2016, the days were significantly warmer than usual and the highest daily maximum temperature ranged between 32.8°C and 36.1°C. An increase in the occurrence of rain showers in the second half of May 2016 brought cooler days with the daily maximum temperature ranging between 31.2°C and 35.4°C. Despite the cooler conditions in the second half of the month, the mean monthly temperature of 29.3°C for May 2016 recorded at the Changi climate station was still 1.0°C warmer than the long term mean temperature for May. May 2016 was the second warmest May since Singapore temperature records began in 1929, tying with the record set in May 1997.

7      On most days in May 2016, the thundery showers in the afternoon were due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with the convergence of winds over Singapore. In the later part of the month, the presence of the monsoon rain band close to Singapore coupled with the presence of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and southern China, led to the passage of Sumatra squalls which brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds to Singapore between midnight and early morning on some days. The showers were heaviest on 11 May 2016 where the highest daily rainfall total recorded was 99.8mm around Yishun.

8      Most parts of Singapore received above average rainfall in May 2016. The highest rainfall of 341mm (61% above average) was recorded around Seletar. Rainfall was lowest around Clementi where 165mm (30% below average) was recorded. The mean rainfall recorded at the climate station in May 2016 was 194.2mm, about 23mm above the long-term mean rainfall for May of 171.2mm.

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

Short-duration thundery showers on most days

Advisory

Singapore, 16  May 2016 –  Inter-monsoon conditions are expected to prevail in the second half of May 2016. During the period, the prevailing light and variable low level winds are forecast to gradually strengthen to blow from the southeast or south-southwest.

2 In the next fortnight, Singapore is likely to experience short-duration thundery showers mostly in the late morning and afternoon on six to eight days. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls can be expected in the morning on one or two days. The rainfall for May 2016 is expected to be average.

3 The warm conditions experienced in the first fortnight of May 2016 can still be expected on a few days in the second half of May 2016. However, the temperatures are not likely to be as high as that experienced in the first fortnight of the month due to the expected occurrence of showers on most days. For the rest of May 2016, the daily maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 33°C and 34°C on most days and could reach a high of around 35°C on a few days.

Review: 1 – 15 May 2016

4 Inter-monsoon conditions prevailed in first fortnight of May 2016. During the period, the prevailing low level winds were generally light and variable in direction.

5 During the review period, the first eleven days were generally warm where the highest daily maximum temperature ranged between 35°C and 36.1°C, with the highest temperature recorded at Seletar on 6 May 2016. As of 15 May 2016, the daily mean temperature recorded at the Changi climate station was 29.6°C, which is 1.3°C above the long-term mean for May.

6 The showers that fell over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days during the first fortnight of May 2016 were due to strong heating of land areas coupled with the convergence of winds over Singapore. The thundery showers on 11 May 2016 were particularly heavy with the highest daily rainfall of 99.8mm recorded. For the past four days, the showers that fell over many parts of the island brought some relief to the warm conditions, and the highest daily maximum temperature ranged between 31.8°C and 34.7°C.

7 About two-thirds of Singapore received above average rainfall in the first fortnight of May 2016. The highest rainfall of 192.4mm (83% above average) was recorded around Bukit Panjang. Rainfall was lowest around Changi where 25.8mm (67% below average) was recorded.

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

Singapore, 6 May 2016 – Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) has confirmed that April 2016 is the warmest April on record in Singapore, with a mean monthly temperature of 29.4 degrees Celsius. April 2016 also tied with May 1998 as the second warmest month on record. The warmest ever recorded month since 1929 was March 1998, with a mean monthly temperature of 29.5 Celsius.

2. The record temperatures in April 2016 are a continuation of the very warm conditions experienced this year. The strong El Nino that peaked at the end of 2015 has been a key contributing factor to the high temperatures. Collectively, the first four months of 2016 is the warmest ever January-April period since 2010, and the second warmest after 1998. The temperatures during that period in 2010 and 1998 were also strongly influenced by an El Nino.

3. For the first five days of May 2016, the daily average temperature recorded at the Changi climate station was 29.9 degrees Celsius, which is 1.6 degrees Celsius above the long-term mean for May. The current high temperatures are forecast to ease slightly over the weekend, and are expected to prevail again on a few days in the coming week.

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