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April 2016 on track to be the warmest April on record

Advisory

Singapore, 29 April 2016 – For May 2016, inter-monsoon conditions are expected to persist over the region. The prevailing low level winds will continue to be light and variable in direction.

2. In the first fortnight of May 2016, short-duration thundery showers can be expected mostly in the afternoon on seven to nine days due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with wind convergence. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to a Sumatra squall can be expected in the pre-dawn and morning on one or two days. The rainfall for first fortnight of the month is expected to be near average.

3. Climatologically, May is the second warmest month of the year after April. The warm conditions experienced in Singapore in April 2016 can still be experienced on some days in the first half of May 2016. The daily maximum temperatures during this period are expected to range between 33°C and 35°C on most days.

Review (1 – 28 April 2016)

4. Inter-Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region in April 2016, with low level winds generally light and variable in direction.

5. Singapore experienced significantly warmer temperatures over many parts of the island in April 2016, with the highest daily maximum temperatures exceeding 34°C on most days. As of 28 April 2016, the mean monthly temperature for the month is 29.5°C, 0.3°C above than the highest ever mean monthly temperature for April recorded in 1998. April 2016 is thus on track to be the warmest ever April in Singapore since temperature records started in 1929. In addition, the daily maximum temperature of 36.7°C recorded at Seletar on 13 April 2016 was the second highest ever recorded temperature in Singapore. For the month to date, the highest daily maximum temperature reached 35°C or above on 13 days.

6. During the review period, the light wind conditions coupled with strong solar heating resulted in the development of moderate to heavy thundery showers in the late morning and afternoon on some days. The thundery showers on 3 and 20 April were particularly heavy with the highest daily rainfall total of 111.4mm and 104.6mm recorded at Upper Pierce Reservoir and Jurong areas respectively. Despite the showers on many days, both daytime and night time temperatures have been significantly high in April 2016.

7. Almost all parts of Singapore received below average rainfall in April 2016. Rainfall was lowest around Seletar, where 80.6mm (63% below average) was recorded. The highest rainfall of 243.2mm (13% above average) was recorded around Ang Mo Kio.

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

Mean daily maximum temperature	32.2 degrees Celsius
Mean daily minimum temperature	25.4 degrees Celsius
Mean monthly temperature	28.3 degrees Celsius
Mean rainfall for the month	171.2 mm
Mean number of rain days	14
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature	33.6 degrees Celsius (1997)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature	24.5 degrees Celsius (1981,1982,1984,1989)
Highest monthly rainfall	370.8 mm (1998)
Lowest monthly rainfall	41.6 mm (1997)

 

Public can take measures to minimise risk of heat-induced illnesses during warm weather

Advisory

Singapore, 20 April 2016 – As forecast in Meteorological Service Singapore’s (MSS) fortnightly weather outlook issued on 15 April 2016, Singapore has been experiencing significantly warmer temperatures over many parts of the island in the past few days. On 17 and 18 April 2016, the daily maximum temperatures recorded at weather stations islandwide ranged between 31.4°C and 36.4°C and between 31.3°C and 35.8°C respectively. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 36°C and as of 3pm today it was 35.1°C. Both were recorded at Choa Chu Kang.

2          Very high daily mean temperatures were also recorded in the past few days. The highest daily mean temperature on 17 and 18 April 2016 was 30.3°C and 30.9°C respectively (at Tai Seng on both days). On 19 April 2016, 31.3°C was recorded at Pasir Panjang, the highest daily mean temperature recorded so far this year. At the Changi climate station, the daily mean temperature on 19 April 2016 was 30.6°C, surpassing the highest ever recorded daily mean temperature of 30.2°C on 22 June 2015. The long-term mean monthly temperature for April is 28.0°C.

3          Warm temperatures are common during the Inter-monsoon months of April and May when there is strong solar heating and the winds are generally light. In addition, the prevailing strong-to-moderate El Nino is a contributing factor to the current warm conditions. Climatologically, April is the warmest month of the year. Despite the current warm conditions, the temperature in Singapore is not likely to reach 40°C (as experienced recently in northern Peninsular Malaysia), due to the moderating effect of our surrounding seas on the temperature.

4          For the rest of the week, Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) forecasts that high temperatures can still be expected, although a gradual easing is likely. Localised thundery showers are expected in the afternoon. Closer to the weekend, more showers may be expected, which would bring a brief respite to the current warm conditions.

5          Various government agencies have provided general advisories, measures and precautions that stakeholders can take to minimise the risk of heat-induced illnesses during periods of warm weather, such as those pertaining to schools, elderly homes, employers and employees, and the general public. Please refer to Annex A for these advisories.

–End–

 

ANNEX A

Advisories for Warm Weather

Advisory for General Public   

1          To minimise the risk of heat-induced illnesses during warm weather, the public are encouraged to take the following precautionary measures:

• Wear loose-fitting, heat permeable and light coloured clothing;
• Drink fluids to stay hydrated;
• Take more breaks between activities;
• Reduce outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day or stay in the shade;
• Sponge with cool or ice water;
• Plan sport and exercise activities during the cooler hours of the day; and
• Watch for early symptoms of heat-induced illness and seek medical attention if the condition persists or worsens.

2          Symptoms of heat-induced illness include headache, nausea, dizziness, fainting, rapid heart rate, poor concentration, muscle ache, muscle cramps, blurred vision, loss of co-ordination, disorientation or confusion, seizures or fits, vomiting, and decreased and dark-coloured urine.

Advisory for Schools, Child Care Centres, Kindergartens and Homes 

3          Sustained outdoor activities should be minimised during the hotter period of the day and the intensity of these activities moderated. Staff and students are encouraged to drink appropriate amount of fluids to prevent heat injuries, with appropriate rest and water breaks considered.

4          Centres/homes can consider the following measures when conducting outdoor physical activities:

• Encourage children to drink appropriate amount of fluids (preferably plain water) before, during and after exercise to prevent heat injuries. Drinking water should always be made available to the children.
• Keep outdoor activities short and with frequent rest breaks during hot weather. Alternatively, these sessions could be conducted in well-ventilated indoor facilities.
• Minimise sustained activities in the outdoors during the hottest part of the day (between 11am – 4pm) as the ultraviolet (UV) and heat stress levels are generally high during this period. If activities have to be carried out in the outdoors during this period, additional measures should be put in place, such as appropriate rest periods; water breaks and shades, as well as moderating the intensity of the activities to mitigate the effect of heat.

5          Voluntary children’s homes and juvenile rehabilitation centres should ensure accessibility of the water point area. The home staff should take additional steps to sprinkle water or create water mist to cool down the hard-court or the venue of recreational or sporting events. Furthermore, home staff should identify vulnerable groups (such as children under 12 years old, pregnant women, residents who are severely obese, on certain medications, chronic illnesses) for closer monitoring.

6          In addition, nursing and care staff in children’s and elderly homes should be updated on the various symptoms of heat injuries and be alert to early signs of heat injury. Residents who are more susceptible to heat injury (such as the frail and elderly) should stay in well-ventilated rooms, and if necessary, be brought to an air-conditioned room, where available, to cool down if likelihood of heat injury is high. If symptoms persist or worsen, nursing and care staff should seek medical attention for them.

Advisory for Employers and Employees

7          Outdoor workers are at an increased risk of developing heat-induced illnesses.  Workplaces and employers should implement the necessary precautionary measures and advise their workers on these measures. Measures to be adopted should include:

• Ensuring that all workers are properly acclimatised to the hot weather/working conditions;
• Scheduling heavy physical work or outdoor work to the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late afternoon) where possible;
• Providing shaded areas for work and rest;
• Providing cool drinking water at convenient and accessible locations; and
• Encouraging workers to keep themselves hydrated by drinking sufficient water and to wear loose-fitting and light coloured clothing.

8          More information is available at the Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines: Managing Heat Stress in the Workplace at: https://www.wshc.sg

Significantly warm days can still be expected

Advisory

Singapore, 15 April 2016 – Inter-monsoon conditions characterised by low level winds that are light and variable in direction had set in over the region in the second week of April 2016. The conditions are forecast to persist for the rest of April 2016 and into May 2016.

2. In the next fortnight, with the monsoon rain belt forecast to lie close to the equator coupled with strong solar heating of land areas during the day, Singapore is likely to experience short-duration thundery showers mostly in the afternoons on five to seven days. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to a Sumatra squall can be expected in the pre-dawn and morning on one or two days. The rainfall for April 2016 is expected to be near average.

3. Despite the rain showers, some warm days are can still be expected with the daily maximum temperatures ranging between 33°C and 35°C, and could reach a high of up to 36°C on a few days. Warmer conditions are common during the inter-monsoon period when there is strong solar heating and the winds are generally light.

Review (1 – 14 April 2016)

4. In the later part of the first fortnight of April 2016, the low level northeasterly winds in the region weakened to become light and variable in direction signifying a transition from the Northeast Monsoon to inter-monsoon conditions.

5. Singapore experienced significantly warmer conditions in the first two weeks of April 2016, where the highest daily maximum temperature ranged between 34.1°C and 36.7°C. While there were rain showers on many days during this period, the rain brought only brief relief to the warm conditions. On 13 April 2016, 36.7°C was recorded at Seletar, the highest daily maximum temperature recorded so far this year and also the highest in the last ten years. As of 14 April 2016, the mean monthly temperature for April 2016 was 29.4°C, 1.4°C warmer than the long-term mean for April.

6. In the first half of April 2016, rainfall was below average across the island. The highest rainfall of 126mm (near average) was recorded over the western part of Singapore around Jurong. Rainfall was lowest over the northern part of Singapore around Admiralty, where 20mm (82% below average) was recorded. The highest total daily rainfall recorded was 111mm around the Upper Pierce Reservoir area on 3 April 2016 due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised wind convergence.

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

Mean daily maximum temperature	32.3 degrees Celsius
Mean daily minimum temperature	25.0 degrees Celsius
Mean monthly temperature	28.0 degrees Celsius
Mean rainfall for the month	154.8 mm
Mean number of rain days	14
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature	33.9 degrees Celsius (1983)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature	23.9 degrees Celsius (1982)
Highest monthly rainfall	311.6 mm (2000)
Lowest monthly rainfall	43.1 mm (1983)

 

Last month was the driest and second warmest March on record

Advisory

Singapore, 1 April 2016 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are weakening to give way to inter-monsoon conditions during the fortnight. The prevailing low level winds during the outlook period are forecast to blow from the northeast and gradually become light and variable in direction.

2. For the first fortnight of April 2016, the prevailing dry and warm conditions are forecast to continue. In addition, short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of Singapore on 4 to 6 days in the afternoon due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity. Rainfall in the next fortnight is likely to be below average.

3. During the outlook period, significantly warmer temperatures can be expected on some days where the daily maximum temperature is forecast to be between 33°C and 35°C. April is climatologically the warmest month of the year.

Review (1 – 31 March 2016)

4. During the review period, weakening Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed in the region with the low level winds over Singapore blowing predominantly from the northeast.

5. In March 2016, rainfall across Singapore was significantly below average. The highest rainfall of 133mm (41% below average) was recorded around the Queenstown area. At the Changi climate station, the total rainfall recorded in March 2016 was 6.2mm (96% below average), setting a new record for the driest March in Singapore since rainfall records started in 1869. The previous record was 18.5mm in March 1912.

6. Singapore experienced significantly warmer conditions in March 2016, with 18 days recording daily maximum temperatures exceeding 34.0°C; 13 of these days were in the second fortnight of March 2016. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded during the month was 35.3°C at Choa Chu Kang on 11 March 2016. This was also the highest temperature recorded so far this year. The mean monthly temperature of 29.0°C for March 2016 was 1.5°C warmer than the long-term mean for March, and ranks March 2016 as the second warmest March in Singapore since temperature records started in 1929. The warmest March was recorded in 1998 with a mean monthly temperature of 29.5°C.

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

Mean daily maximum temperature	32.3 degrees Celsius
Mean daily minimum temperature	25.0 degrees Celsius
Mean monthly temperature	28.0 degrees Celsius
Mean rainfall for the month	154.8 mm
Mean number of rain days	14
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature	33.9 degrees Celsius (1983)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature	23.9 degrees Celsius (1982)
Highest monthly rainfall	311.6 mm (2000)
Lowest monthly rainfall	43.1 mm (1983)

 

2015 was the warmest and second driest year on record

 

Singapore, 22 March 2016 –The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) has today released its inaugural Annual Climate Assessment Report and launched its weather mobile application, ‘Weather@SG’, both in conjunction with World Meteorological Day (WMD) 2016. WMD is annually observed around the world on 23 March, and this year, the theme for WMD 2016 is “Hotter, drier, wetter. Face the Future” to illustrate the reality of climate change and to highlight that, without urgent action to cut emissions, the trend of increasing temperatures and the frequency and intensity of extreme events will accelerate.

 

Annual Climate Assessment Report 2015

2          MSS’ Annual Climate Assessment Report will be an annual publication available online at MSS’ website at https://www.weather.gov.sg, and serves to provide relevant and useful weather and climate information, and a perspective of the current climate of Singapore with that of historical records. The 2015 report provides details of the climate trends for Singapore, including climatic features and notable weather events that affected Singapore in 2015.

 

2015 as warmest year on record

3          When the world experienced its hottest year in 2015[1], Singapore similarly recorded one of its warmest years in history. 2015, together with 1997 and 1998 saw annual mean temperatures of 28.3 degrees Celsius, exceeding the climatological average by 0.8 degrees Celsius. In fact, eight of Singapore’s 10 warmest years have occurred in the current 21^st century. In years to come, there are indications of the daily mean temperatures increasing further, and the climatologically drier periods becoming drier and the wetter periods becoming wetter. Refer to Annex A for the table of 10 warmest years based on records at MSS’ climate station.

 

4          In 2015 Singapore also saw warmer than normal monthly temperatures for all months except February. New monthly records were set last year with the warmest months being July, October, November and December, the highest since Singapore’s temperature records began in 1929.

 

5          The warming trend in Singapore has been observed over a number of decades. The average rise of 0.25 degrees Celcius per decade from 1948 to 2015 is higher than the global warming rate of 0.12 degrees Celcius for a similar period (1951 – 2012). This trend is observed to be accompanied by an increase in the number of warm days (days with temperature above 34.1 degrees Celcius) and warm nights in Singapore, occurring against a background of year-to-year climate variability, mostly associated with El Niño and La Niña events.

 

2015 as second driest year on record

6          With only 1,266.8mm of rainfall recorded last year, 2015 was the second driest year,  with 1997 being the driest year. The drier weather in the second half of 2015 was exacerbated by the prevailing El Niño, which in turn contributed to one of the longest and most severe transboundary haze events experienced in Singapore. Refer to Annex A for the table of 10 driest years based on records at MSS’ climate station.

 

El Niño Outlook for 2016

7          The prevailing strong El Niño, which developed in mid-2015 and peaked in December 2015, is gradually weakening, and is forecast to weaken further as it transitions to neutral (neither El Niño nor La Niña) conditions around mid-2016. Latest projections from major international climate centres indicate that there is equal likelihood for neutral conditions to perisist or for La Niña to develop in the later part of 2016. Over the next one or two months, warmer conditions can still be expected with the mean monthly temperatures likely to be significantly higher than their respective long-term averages. More warm days with daily maximum temperatures between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius can be expected.

 

Weather@SG Weather Application

 8          With indications that hotter, drier and wetter weather conditions could become more frequent in Singapore, timely weather information will become increasingly important. To facilitate a convenient means to check Singapore’s official weather forecasts and observations wherever you are, MSS has also launched its free weather mobile application, ‘Weather@SG’ today. The ‘Weather@SG’ mobile application can be downloaded from both the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store.

9          The ‘Weather@SG’ mobile application provides users with access to the latest national forecasts, observations as well as warnings and advisories. Through the ‘Weather@SG’ application, mobile phone users can receive push notifications of heavy rain warnings and other hazards. The weather mobile application has features to detect a user’s location and automatically display the 2-hour Nowcast and the current weather conditions such as temperature, rain amount and wind information. In addition, graphical temperature and rainfall trends for the past 12 hours are available. Users will also be able to view the rain areas over the island and up to 240km away.  Please refer to Annex B for screenshots of the ‘Weather@SG’ mobile application.

 

[1] As per media release issued by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Media Centre on 25 January 2016 (https://www.wmo.int/media/content/2015-hottest-year-record)

 

– End –

ANNEX A

 

Table of Records for the Top 10 Warmest and Driest Years in Singapore

 

The table below details the top 10 warmest annual mean temperatures as well as top 10 driest years for Singapore. The climatological (1981-2010) average for Singapore is 27.5⁰C for annual mean temperature and 2165.9 mm for annual rainfall.

 

<tdstyle=”width: 198px;”>27.919711613.5

Top 10 Warmest Year		Top 10 Driest Years
Year	Annual Mean Temp (0C)	Year	Annual Rainfall (mm)
2015	28.3	1997	1118.9
1998	28.3	2015	1266.8
1997	28.3	1985	1483.9
2010	28.1	1990	1523.8
2002	28.1	2014	1538.4
2005	28.0	1981	1555.8
2014	27.9	1960	1569.6
2009	27.9	1888	1605.0
2004
2003	27.8	1877	1654.0

Table 1: Top 10 Warmest and Driest years on record (based on climate station)

 

ANNEX B

 

Screen Shots of ‘Weather@SG’ Mobile Application

 

The screen shots below highglights some of the key feature of the Weather@SG’ Mobile Application.

 

Receive warnings of heavy rain and other hazards	Get the 2-hour nowcast and latest observations of your current and favourite locations
Access current rain areas	Get the weather forecast for the next 24 hours, and see what’s in store for the next few days

 

 

 

 

[1] As per media release issued by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Media Centre on 25 January 2016 (https://www.wmo.int/media/content/2015-hottest-year-record)

Afternoon thundery showers on some days

Advisory

Singapore, 1 March 2016 – Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist in March 2016 with low level winds blowing predominantly from the north or northeast.

2. In the first fortnight of March 2016, dry and occasionally windy conditions are expected to prevail on most days. Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected mostly in the afternoon on some days around the middle of the fortnight period. The showers may be heavy at times on days when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas. Rainfall for the first half of March 2016 is expected to be near-normal.

3. The dry weather experienced in the past week is expected to extend into the first two weeks of March 2016. The temperature during this period is expected to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days. On some days, warmer temperatures can be expected with the daily maximum temperature reaching as high as 34°C.

Review (1 – 29 February 2016)

4. Northeast Monsoon conditions continued to prevail over the region in February 2016. The low level winds in Singapore during the month blew predominantly from the northeast.

5. In the second week of February 2016, Singapore experienced occasionally windy and cool weather conditions where the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded was between 21.5°C and 22.5°C due to a monsoon surge that affected the region during the period. The monsoon surge brought moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall to Singapore where the total daily rainfall of 96.8mm over the Queenstown area was the highest daily rainfall recorded for February 2016.

6. In addition, Singapore experienced short-duration thundery showers mainly in the afternoon and evening on some days due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised wind convergence. Dry and occasionally windy conditions were experienced in the last week of February 2016.

7. Rainfall across Singapore was above average in February 2016. The highest rainfall of 186mm (68% above average) was recorded over the eastern part of Singapore around Changi. Rainfall was lowest over the northeastern part of the island around Seletar, where 178mm (11% above average) was recorded.

8. Singapore experienced warm conditions on most days in February 2016. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded ranged between 33.8 and 34.2°C. The mean monthly temperature of 27.8°C for February 2016 is 0.7°C warmer than the long-term mean of 27.1°C for February, and ranks February 2016 as the fourth warmest February since 1929.

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

Mean daily maximum temperature	32.0 degrees Celsius
Mean daily minimum temperature	24.6 degrees Celsius
Mean monthly temperature	27.5 degrees Celsius
Mean rainfall for the month	170.3 mm
Mean number of rain days	13
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature	34.1 degrees Celsius (1998)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature	23.7 degrees Celsius (1982)
Highest monthly rainfall	361.3 mm (1984)
Lowest monthly rainfall	34.3 mm (1997)

 

As we celebrate World Meteorological Day 2016, we are calling all avid shutterbugs to take this opportunity to showcase your best photographs which depict this year’s theme:

 
Photographs should be of locations in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Selected photographs will be featured on our website and used in other MSS educational and publicity material that reach a wide audience. In addition, winners will get a copy of“The Weather and Climate of Singapore”, a book written by a senior meteorologist in MSS!

Please email your photographs to NEA_MSS_Engage@nea.gov.sg with the subject “WMD2016 Photo Competition” with your name, and include a brief description of where and when they were taken. Submitted photographs should have a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. Closing date: 31 Mar 2016.
 
*NOTE* You hereby agree that by your actions of sending MSS the photographs, you permit MSS to have the non-exclusive license/right to use such submissions for its official publications.
 
More About World Meteorological Day 2016
 
World Meteorological Day commemorates the entry into force of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Convention which created the organisation in 1950. The day also recognises the work of meteorologists from across the globe. Each year, on 23 March, Singapore joins the other members of WMO to celebrate World Meteorological Day around a chosen theme. The theme for 2016 is: “Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future.”

HOTTER: In 2015 heatwaves affected Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East through the late spring and summer, with many new temperature records set. July brought heat waves to a large area from Denmark in the north, to Morocco in the south and Iran in the east. The heat continued in August and into September, shifting further into Eastern Europe.

DRIER: In 2015 dry areas included Central America and the Caribbean, northeast South America including Brazil, parts of central Europe and Russia, parts of Southeast Asia, Indonesia and southern Africa. In Western North America, long-term drought conditions continued. Basins across the west depend on snowpack as a water resource. On 1 April, the snow water equivalent was 5% of normal.

WETTER: In 2015 areas of high rainfall included: southern areas of the USA, Mexico, Bolivia, southern Brazil, southeast Europe, areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Heavy rain in January led to flooding in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and in February it affected Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. 2015 saw exceptional seasonal rainfall totals in several parts of Burkina Faso and Mali.

FACE THE FUTURE: Fortunately, the world’s governments are now fully convinced of the scientific evidence of climate change and the need to take urgent action. More research and investment is needed for advancing low-carbon technologies, particularly in the energy sector. But already many policies, technologies and actions are available, and their deployment needs to be scaled up. Individual citizens, community leaders, businesses, civil society organisations, governments and the United Nations system must all contribute.
 
Singapore’s National Climate Change Study Findings
 
Phase 1 of the Second National Climate Change Study was led by MSS’ Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS). Findings were released on 15 April 2015. The study involved tailored climate projections for Singapore which were of a higher spatial resolution than the global dataproduced under the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5). The Second National Climate Change Study projects that Singapore will experience significant changes in sea-level, temperature and rainfall (see infographic below).
 

 
Click here to learn more about this study
 

Lunar New Year period expected to be rainy

Advisory

Singapore, 1 February 2016 – Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist in February 2016 with the prevailing low level winds blowing predominantly from the north or northeast.

2. In the first fortnight of February 2016, short-duration thundery showers are expected mostly in the afternoon on four to five days. The showers may be heavy at times on days when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas.  For two or three days around the Lunar New Year period, a monsoon surge[1] is forecast to affect the region and this is expected to bring widespread rain and occasionally windy conditions to Singapore. Rainfall for the first two weeks of February 2016 is expected to be slightly above average.

3. The warmer temperatures experienced in the past few months are expected to extend into the first fortnight of February 2016.  During this period, the daily maximum and minimum temperatures could reach as high as 34°C and 27°C respectively on some days.

Review (1 – 31 January 2016)

4. The Northeast Monsoon season prevailed in January 2016, and the low level winds blew predominantly from the northeast.

5. Apart from a weak monsoon surge which brought widespread moderate rain over Singapore on a few days in the first week of January 2016, the rest of the month experienced afternoon and early evening thundery showers on most days due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds in the vicinity of Singapore. The thundery showers were heaviest on 22 January 2016 where the highest total daily rainfall recorded was 78.8mm around the Kent Ridge area.

6. Most parts of Singapore received below average rainfall in January 2016. Rainfall was lowest over the north-eastern part of Singapore around Sengkang, where 86 mm to 98 mm (56 to 62% below average) was recorded. The highest rainfall of 235 mm to 322 mm (9 to 59% above average) was recorded in the western part of Singapore around Jurong.

7. Despite the occurrence of showers on many days in January 2016, significantly warmer than usual conditions were experienced during the month. The mean daily maximum temperature (31.6°C) and mean daily minimum temperature (26.0°C) for January 2016 are 1.2°C and 2.1°C above their respective long-term means.

8. The mean monthly temperature of 28.3°C for January 2016 marks the warmest ever January since temperature records began in 1929, surpassing the previous record of 28.0°C set in January 1998. This follows the warmest December on record the previous month. December and January are climatologically the coolest months of the year.

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

Mean daily maximum temperature	112.8 mm
Highest rainfall ever recorded	470.4 mm (1984)
Lowest rainfall ever recorded	0.2 mm (2014)
Average number of raindays	8
Mean daily maximum temperature	31.7 degrees Celsius
Mean daily minimum temperature	24.3 degrees Celsius
Mean monthly temperature	27.1 degrees Celsius

 

[1] A monsoon surge is characteristic of the wet phase of the Northeast Monsoon season (Dec – Jan). It is due to the strengthening of northeasterly winds over the South China Sea and our surrounding region, and can bring widespread rain to coastal areas in the Southeast Asia region. Read more at https://www.weather.gov.sg/learn_weather_systems.

 

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