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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)

[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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Showers can still be expected on some days

Advisory

Singapore, 15 January 2016 – For the next fortnight, Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist with the prevailing low level winds blowing predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

2. Singapore is likely to experience widespread rain and occasionally windy conditions on 2-3 days arising from the strengthening of the northeasterly winds over the region. For the rest of the fortnight, short-duration thundery showers can be expected mostly in the afternoon and early evening on 5 to 7 days. 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 January 2016 is expected to be below normal.

3. The temperature range for January 2016 is forecast to range between 24 and 34 degrees Celsius, and the mean monthly temperature for January 2016 is likely to be significantly warmer than the long-term mean of 26.5 degrees Celsius for January.

4. The significantly warmer than usual temperatures experienced in recent months¹ can be attributed to the prevailing strong El Nino, which is currently at a mature level. Based on the forecasts from international climate centres, the El Nino is expected to gradually weaken over the next few months and return to neutral conditions by around mid-2016. For the next few months, the El Nino is still expected to bring drier and warmer conditions to Singapore.

Review (1 – 14 January 2016)

5. The Northeast Monsoon season which started in early December 2015 persisted into January 2016, and the low level winds in the first fortnight blew predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

6. A weak monsoon surge at the start of 2016 brought widespread moderate rain over Singapore. The monsoon surge was due to the strengthening of northeasterly winds over the South China Sea and our surrounding regioin. Following the weak monsoon surge, for the rest of the fortnight, Singapore experienced showers in the afternoon on some days due to strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised wind convergence.

7. The mean temperature for the first fortnight of January 2016 was 28.1 degrees Celsius. This value exceeds the highest ever recorded mean temperature of 28.0 degrees Celsius (recorded in 1998) for the whole of January. The mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures for the first fortnight of January 2016 was 31.3 degrees Celsius and 25.9 degrees Celsius respectively, well above the long term average mean of 30.4 degrees Celsius and 23.9 degrees Celsius for January, respectively.

8. Rainfall for Singapore in the first fortnight of 2016 was well below average. The southeastern part of the island received the lowest rainfall of 26mm to 29mm (70% to 75% below normal) around Buangkok and Tanjong Katong while the highest rainfall of 103mm (6% above normal) was recorded in Sentosa.

¹ November 2015 (tie with 1998) was the warmest November on record with a mean monthly temperature of 28.0 degrees Celsius. December 2015 was the warmest December on record with a mean monthly temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius.

Wet weather to usher in the new year

Advisory

Singapore, 31 December 2015 – In the next fortnight, Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to prevail over the region with the low level winds blowing predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

2. The start of the year 2016 is likely to experience a few days of widespread moderate to heavy rain and occasionally windy conditions arising from the strengthening of the northeasterly winds over the region. For the rest of the fortnight, short-duration thundery showers can be expected mostly in the afternoon and early evening on 6 to 8 days. The showers may be heavy at times on days when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas. The temperature range for the fortnight is forecast to be between 22 and 33 degrees Celsius.

3. Based on long-term statistics, January is the third wettest month of the year, after November and December. Rainfall for the first half of January 2016 is likely to be normal.

Review (1 – 30 December 2015)

4. Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region in December 2015, with low level winds blowing predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

5. During the review period, most of the showers occurred in the afternoon and early evening due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds over Singapore. The highest total daily rainfall of 128.8 mm was recorded on 28 December2015 around Jurong Island due to heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon. In addition, a weak monsoon surge due to the strengthening of northeasterly over the region brought widespread rain to Singapore on 29 December. There were several warm days in December 2015 with highest daily maximum temperature recorded between 34.4 and 34.7 degrees Celsius. On a few rain days, the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded was between 22.4 and 22.5 degrees Celsius.

6. The mean monthly temperature and mean daily maximum temperature for December 2015 to date is 27.8 and 31.6 degrees Celsius respectively. These are likely to set new records for the warmest December, exceeding the previous highs of 27.3 degrees Celsius (in December 1997) and 31.3 degrees Celsius (December 1997 and 2002). 2015 is also likely to tie with 1997 and 1998 as the warmest year on record, with a mean annual temperature of 28.3 degrees Celsius. The record warm temperatures in 2015 and 1997 can be attributed to the strong El Nino events occurring in both years.

7. Half of Singapore received above average rainfall in December 2015. The highest rainfall of 420 mm to 480 mm (55% to 80% above average) was recorded in the western part of Singapore around Jurong Island. The northwestern part of Singapore around Kranji received the lowest rainfall where 150 mm to 200 mm (25% to 45% below average).

Expect occasionally windy and cooler conditions

Advisory

Singapore, 16 December 2015 – In the next fortnight, Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to prevail over the region with low level winds blowing predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

2. During this period, thundery showers are expected mostly in the afternoon and early evening on five to seven days due to convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas. Occasionally windy conditions and cooler temperatures can be expected. In addition, widespread moderate to heavy rain arising from the strengthening of the monsoon winds are likely on two to three days in the second half of the period. The temperature range for the fortnight is forecast to be between 22 and 33 degrees Celsius.

3. Based on long-term statistics, December is the wettest month in the year. The rainfall for December 2015 is likely to be normal.

Review of 1 – 15 December 2015

4. Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region in the first fortnight of December 2015, with low level winds blowing predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

5. Singapore experienced thundery showers in the afternoon and early evening on most days in December 2015 due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds over the region. The thundery showers were heaviest on 1 December 2015 where the highest total daily rainfall recorded was 114.2 mm in Sentosa. In addition, there were a few warm days where the highest daily maximum temperature recorded ranged between 34.2 and 34.7 degrees Celsius. On a few rainy days, the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded was between 22.4 and 22.8 degrees Celsius.

6. Most parts of Singapore received above average rainfall in the first fortnight of December 2015. The highest rainfall of 273 mm to 327 mm (95% to 120% above average) was recorded in the southern and central parts of Singapore around Sentosa and Orchard areas respectively. The eastern part of the island around Pulau Ubin received the lowest rainfall where 106 mm to 119 mm (0 to 30% below average) was recorded.

Occasionally windy and cooler temperatures expected towards mid-December 2015

Advisory

Singapore, 1 December 2015 – In the next fortnight, Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to prevail over the region with the low level winds blowing predominantly from the northeast or northwest.

2. During this period, short-duration thundery showers are expected mostly in the afternoon and early evening on 6 to 8 days due to convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas. In addition, a strengthening of monsoon winds in the region in the latter half of the fortnight could bring periods of moderate to heavy rain on 1 to 2 days with occasionally windy conditions and cooler temperatures. The temperature range for the fortnight is forecast to be between 22 and 33 degrees Celsius.

3. Based on long-term statistics, December is the wettest month in the year. The rainfall for the first fortnight of December 2015 is likely to be near normal.

Review of 1 – 30 November 2015

4. Inter-Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in November 2015. The light and variable low level winds gradually strengthened around the end of the month to blow from the northeast or northwest.

5. Singapore experienced thundery showers in the afternoon and early evening on most days in November 2015 due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds over the region. The thundery showers were heaviest on 17 November 2015 where the highest total daily rainfall recorded was 68.4 mm around the Queenstown area. In addition, there were a few warm days where the highest daily maximum temperature recorded ranged between 34.5 and 34.9 degrees Celsius. On a few rain days, the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded was between 22.7 and 23.1 degrees Celsius.

6. About half of Singapore received above average rainfall in November 2015. The highest rainfall of 331 mm to 376 mm (20% to 40% above average) was recorded in the central and northern parts of Singapore around Toa Payoh and Woodlands respectively. The eastern part of the island around Tanah Merah received the lowest rainfall where 61 mm to 112 mm (60% to 80% below average) was recorded.

Near normal rainfall for November 2015

Advisory

Singapore, 16 November 2015 – In the next fortnight, Inter-Monsoon conditions are expected to prevail, and low level winds are forecast to be predominantly light and variable in direction.

2. During the outlook period, more rainfall can be expected compared to the first half of November 2015. Thundery showers are forecast mostly in the afternoon on 6 to 8 days. The showers may be heavy at times, especially when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas. The maximum daily temperature is forecast to be between 32 and 33 degrees Celsius. .

3. Based on long-term statistics, November is the second wettest month in the year after December. Rainfall for November 2015 is likely to be near normal.

Review of 1 – 15 November 2015

4. Inter-Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore in the first fortnight of November 2015, with low level winds generally light and variable in direction.

5. During the review period, Singapore experienced moderate to heavy thundery showers mostly in the afternoon due to the light wind conditions coupled with strong heating of land areas during the day. The showers were heaviest on 7 November 2015, where the highest total daily rainfall recorded was 62.4mm in the Jurong area. There were a few warm days where the highest daily maximum temperature recorded ranged between 34.1 and 34.9 degrees Celsius. On a few rain days, the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded was between 23.2 and 23.9 degrees Celsius.

6. Most parts of Singapore received below average rainfall during the first fortnight of November 2015. Less than 20mm rainfall (85 per cent below average) was recorded over the eastern part of Singapore around Changi. Rainfall was highest over the central part of the island around Lower Peirce Reservoir where 140 mm to 170 mm (0 to 25 per cent above average) of rain was recorded.

Short-duration thundery showers mostly in the afternoon

Advisory

Singapore, 2 November 2015 – In the next fortnight, Inter-Monsoon conditions are expected to prevail. Low level winds are forecast to be predominantly light and variable in direction.

2. For the first fortnight of November 2015, short-duration thundery showers are forecast mostly in the afternoon on 6 to 8 days. The showers may be heavy at times, especially when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas. In addition, dry and warm weather conditions can be expected on a few days. The maximum daily temperature is forecast to be between 33 and 34 degrees Celsius.

3. Based on long-term statistics, November is the second wettest month in the year, after December. The rainfall for the first fortnight of November 2015 is likely to be near normal.

Review of 1 – 31 October 2015

4. Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed in the region in early October 2015 and transitioned to Inter-monsoon conditions in the last week of the month. Towards the end of October 2015, the low level winds gradually weakened and became light and variable in direction.

5. Most of the showers fell in the first and last week of October 2015, and rainfall was heaviest on 2 October 2015 where the highest daily rainfall recorded was 84mm in the western part of the island, around Tuas. On 28 October 2015, widespread thundery showers affected Singapore in the pre-dawn and morning due to convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity. Dry and warm weather conditions prevailed mostly in the second and third week of the month, where the highest daily maximum temperature recorded ranged between 34.6 and 35.1 degrees Celsius. The lowest daily minimum temperature recorded this month was between 21.6 and 22.9 degrees Celsius, which occurred on days when it rained.

6. Singapore received below average rainfall in October 2015. The lowest rainfall of 52mm and 60mm (65 to 75% below average) was recorded over the eastern part of Singapore around Paya Lebar. Rainfall was highest over the western part of the island around Tuas where 151mm to 176mm (0 to 25% above average) of rain was recorded.

7. October 2015 marked the fifth consecutive month since June 2015 where the monthly total rainfall averaged across all rainfall stations island wide was significantly below the long-term monthly average. For the Changi climate station, except for August 2015, the monthly total rainfall has been below average since January 2015, ranging from 26% to 88% below the long-term monthly average.

Wetter weather expected towards end of the month

Advisory

Singapore, 16 October 2015 – For the second fortnight of October 2015, generally dry and warm weather conditions can be experienced on some days. The maximum daily temperature is forecast to be between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius. Towards the end of the month, wetter weather conditions are expected with afternoon thundery showers on 4 to 6 days due to strong daytime heating of land areas coupled with convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region.

2. The Southwest Monsoon season is forecast to transition to the Inter-Monsoon period towards end October 2015. The prevailing southwesterly winds are expected to weaken and become light and variable in direction in the coming weeks.

3. The rainfall for October 2015 is likely to be below normal.

Review of 1 – 15 October 2015

4. Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed in the first fortnight of October 2015, with low level winds blowing mainly from the southeast or southwest.

5. During the review period, thundery showers affected the island mainly in the late morning and afternoon. Most of the showers fell in the first week of the month, and rainfall was heaviest on 2 October 2015 where the highest daily rainfall recorded was 84mm in the western part of the island around Tuas. In the second week of October 2015, dry and warm weather conditions prevailed. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded in the first fortnight of October 2015 ranged from 34.4 to 35.0 degrees Celsius and on a few wet days, the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded was between 22.8 and 23.9 degrees Celsius.

6. Most parts of Singapore received below average rainfall in the first fortnight of October 2015. The lowest rainfall of 14mm and 28mm (70 to 90% below average) was recorded around the Woodlands, Sentosa and Buangkok areas. Rainfall was highest over the western part of the island around Tuas where 103mm to 125mm (10 to 30% above average) of rain was recorded.

STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER since 1869 (CLIMATE STATION)

Average rainfall for the month — 193.5 mm
Highest rainfall ever recorded — 497.1 mm (1942)
Lowest rainfall ever recorded — 10.8 mm (2002)
Average number of rain days — 16
Average daily maximum temperature — 31.1 degrees Celsius
Average daily minimum temperature — 24.1 degrees Celsius

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