Category Archives: News

Singapore, 15 March 2014 – Singapore can expect some rainfall in the coming days with the easing of the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon. The rain will bring some respite to the current prolonged dry spell which started in mid-January 2014.

2Occasional brief showers this afternoon mostly affected the eastern and central parts of Singapore. As at 5pm today, the highest rainfall recorded was 3.8mm at Scotts Road. The rainfall this afternoon was not widespread and heavy enough to break the current dry spell. Passing showers in the afternoon are forecast for tomorrow and thundery showers in the afternoon for Monday.

3In the first 14 days of March 2014, the highest daily rainfall total for March 2014 is 15.2mm recorded at Tuas on 3 March 2014, and the total rainfall for March 2014 is 18.6mm recorded at Tuas. During this period, brief afternoon showers affected a few areas in western Singapore on some days. Other parts of the island received little or no rain. The days were also warmer and more windy. The daily maximum temperature in some parts of the island exceeded 33.0 degrees Celsius on most days. As of 14 March 2014, the Changi climate station recorded an average daily maximum temperature of 33.0 degrees Celsius, which is warmer than the long-term daily average of 31.6 degrees Celsius for March. The average daily wind speed of 13.2km/h recorded at the station is also significantly higher than the long-term average of 5.5km/h for March.

4The Northeast Monsoon is expected to transition to the inter-monsoon period in the last week of March 2014. The winds over Singapore and the surrounding region are expected to weaken and become variable in direction. Singapore may be affected by transboundary haze if hotspot activities in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia persist, and the prevailing winds temporarily turn to blow any haze toward us. The inter-monsoon period typically lasts from late March to May.

5Despite an expected increase in rainfall during the second half of March 2014, rainfall total for March 2014 is likely to be below the long-term average of 185.9 mm.

6For updates, visit our NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg) or follow us on NEA Facebook www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg).

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JOINT ADVISORY BETWEEN NEA AND PUB

Singapore, 4 March 2014 – The prolonged dry weather affecting Singapore since mid-January 2014 has set a new record for the driest month since 1869. At the Changi climate station, the rainfall total recorded in February 2014 was 0.2mm, breaking the previous record of 6.3 mm in February 2010. During the month, there were only seven days of short duration showers between 7 and 19 February 2014, mainly in the western parts of Singapore. The rainfall totals across 64 rainfall stations range from 45% to 100% below the long-term average of 161.0mm for February. About half the stations, mostly in the southern and eastern areas, recorded monthly rainfall totals below 10.0mm.

2Apart from being the driest month ever, February 2014 is the most windy month in the last 30 years. At the Changi climate station, the average daily wind speed of 13.3 km/hr recorded in February 2014 exceeds the previous high of 12.5 km/hr in January 1985. The prolonged dry conditions have also set a new record for the lowest average daily relative humidity of 74.5%. The previous record low for February and any month of the year was 76.9% (February 1968) and 74.6% (June 2013) respectively. The weather statistics for February 2014 are summarised in Table 1.

3The last day of significant rainfall was on 16 February 2014, when between 0.2 and 29.0 mm was recorded in various parts of the island. Since then, there has been little or no rainfall, with Singapore entering another period of dry spell on 17 February 2014. This follows the 27-day long dry spell between 13 January and 8 February 2014. The highest recorded rainfall total since 17 February 2014 was 19.2mm at Lim Chu Kang Road. The brief showers yesterday which brought limited rainfall of between 0.2 and 15.2 mm in some parts of western Singapore were not widespread enough to break the current dry spell.

4The dry weather affecting Singapore and the surrounding region is expected to persist in the first half of March 2014. There may be localised showers in the afternoon on a few days, and rainfall is expected to be well below average. Generally fair and warm conditions are forecast for Singapore. The prevailing northeasterly winds are also forecast to remain steady over this period. With the expected onset of the Inter-Monsoon in the second half of March 2014, the winds in the region will turn light and variable in direction. Increased rainfall can be expected in the later part of the month.

5With the dry weather expected to continue, PUB, the national water agency (PUB) has started a public campaign to urge everyone to conserve water. For example PUB has sent circulars to 25,000 non-domestic customers – including the town councils, Management Corporation Strata Title (MCSTs), commercial and industrial buildings, government buildings and schools – to advise them to make adjustments and embark on water-saving measures. Measures like cutting down the washing of cars and irrigation of plants, as well as switching off water features/fountains will help reduce water usage.

6Wafer fabrication plant, Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company Pte Ltd (SSMC) has cut down on the irrigation of plants and installed all taps in the toilets with water thimbles. “Collectively as a company, I am glad that our Water Efficient Building management has prepared us well to cope with this dry season. In a dry spell situation like now, we are motivated in putting even more efforts to conserve water. At our facility, watering of trees and plants are done in a sparing manner. All our taps in toilet are installed with water thimbles. Individually, on personal level, we also we encourage our staff to do less frequent car wash, use water wisely at home,” said Jagadish CV, CEO of SSMC.

7At home, we can also save water by taking showers under five minutes, washing clothes on a full load and reusing water for non-potable uses. They can also cut down on non-essential water consumption like the washing of cars and irrigation of plants. The amount of water we save will help stretch our limited water resources longer.

8The National Environment Agency (NEA) and PUB will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. For updates, visit the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on water-saving tips, visit http://www.pub.gov.sg/conserve/Pages/default.aspx and www.facebook.com/PUBsg.

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Singapore, 10 February 2014 – Various parts of Singapore received daily rainfall ranging from 0.2mm to 50.6mm over the weekend (8-9 February 2014), following a dry spell that started in mid January 2014. Meteorological Service Singapore reports that all 64 rainfall stations across the island recorded no rainfall from 16 January to 7 February 2014, except for 0.2mm of rainfall at Jurong on 2 February 2014.

2On Saturday (8 February 2014), showers fell mainly over northern and eastern Singapore between 4pm and 6:30pm. Rainfall of at least 1mm was recorded at 15 stations, with Woodlands receiving the highest daily rainfall total of 50.6mm.

3On Sunday (9 February 2014), showers fell mostly over the western and central parts of the island in the late afternoon. Rainfall of at least 1mm was recorded at 17 stations, with the Bukit Timah area receiving the highest daily rainfall total of 21.8mm. The weekend showers were due to localised wind convergence over the island.

4While the rain over the weekend provided some relief from the dry spell*, Singapore and the surrounding region are still in the dry phase of the prevailing Northeast Monsoon. As of 9 February 2014, 33 stations including the Changi climate station recorded daily rainfall total of less than 1mm since 16 January 2014.

5For this week, showers mostly in the afternoon can be expected. However a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea could bring drier conditions to Singapore on a few days during the week.

* A dry spell is defined as a period of at least 15 consecutive days with daily rainfall total of less than 1mm in many parts of the island.

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Dry conditions to persist for at least the next one to two weeks

Singapore, 29 January 2014 – Singapore is currently in the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon season, typically characterised by drier and cooler weather and generally windy conditions. The onset of this dry phase is earlier than usual this year, leading to fewer rain days and significantly lower rainfall this month. The last few weeks have also been marked by a spell of cooler than normal minimum temperatures.

2The rainfall total for January (1 to 28 Jan 2014) ranged from 20 to 125 mm (45-90% below the long-term average) across the island. At the Changi climate station, 75.4mm of rainfall and five rain days were recorded over this period, compared to the long-term average rainfall of 242.3mm and 15 rain days respectively for January^[1]. The last recorded rainfall was 0.8mm in Jurong on 16 January 2014.

3Since 14 January 2014, daily minimum temperatures of between 21 and 22 degrees Celsius were recorded in various parts of the island. The cooler than normal temperatures are due to a surge of cold winds from a high pressure system over China, blowing towards Singapore and the region. Singapore last experienced a similar spell of cool minimum temperatures during the Northeast Monsoon in early 2009.

4In the coming days, the current cool daily minimum temperatures are expected to increase slightly to the long term average value of around 23.5 degrees Celsius for January and February. However, the current dry and occasionally windy conditions are forecast to persist for at least the next one to two weeks. During this period, slight haze may occur under light wind conditions on a few mornings.

5For the Lunar New Year holiday period, the weather is expected to be fair and occasionally windy, with the daily temperature ranging between 23 and 31 degrees Celsius.

Singapore is currently in the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon season which is characterised by generally windy conditions and drier weather. The dry phase is expected to last till end February / early March 2014.

During this period, fewer rain days and lower rainfall can be expected. On some days, particularly in the morning when winds are light, slightly hazy conditions can be expected. The haze will clear with the strengthening of winds later in the day.

For this weekend (25 – 26 January 2014), partly cloudy and occasional windy conditions can be expected. Occasional slight haze can also be expected, mainly in the morning. The air quality is expected to remain in the Good band.

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Singapore, 18 January 2014 – Mount Sinabung, located 80km west of Medan, North Sumatra, and 650km from Singapore, has been in a state of intermittent volcanic activity since 15 September 2013. To date, Singapore has not been affected by the volcanic ash from this volcanic activity.

2The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) has been closely monitoring the situation. There has been an intensification of volcanic activity in recent days.

3Dispersion model simulations by the MSS as well as the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre indicate that over the next one to two days, volcanic ash is expected to move south, but will be confined within the northern half of Sumatra. The likelihood of volcanic ash affecting Singapore is low and the 24-hr PSI is expected to remain in the Good band. Should some volcanic ash reach Singapore under current conditions, there may be a slight deterioration in air quality. MSS will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates on developments.

4The most frequent health problems that occur among people who have been exposed to volcanic ash are acute respiratory symptoms, stress and irritations of eyes (contact lens users are at risk) and skin, and exacerbation in people with cardio-respiratory problems. People with existing lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, as well as older adults and children are also sensitive towards the exposure of volcanic ash. The severity of these problems is however, affected by the concentration of ash and the duration of exposure to ash. The amount of ash that may reach Singapore is likely to be small and the duration relatively short, posing little or no health risk to the public.

5The public may refer to the NEA website for regular updates on the situation. The 24-hr PSI is used as the reference to measure air quality during a volcanic ash situation as the volcanic ash particles^[1] are in the PM₁₀^[2] range and included in the PSI. The public may access PSI updates through the following channels:

• NEA Twitter
• NEA myENV App on iPhone and Android

^[1] Volcanic ash particles are pieces of pulverized rock like sand or rock dust made of silica with some amounts of potassium, aluminum and iron. Trace quantities of other metals may also be present.

^[2] Particulate matter of 10 microns or smaller in size.

^[3] Particulate matter of 10 microns or smaller in size

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Singapore, 30 December 2013 – Air quality has deteriorated since yesterday, but has remained in the Good range with 24-hr PSI at 6pm today in the range of 44 to 49 (Good). The 3-hr PSI is 38. 24-hr PM2.5 is the range of 25 to 30μg/m3.

2Northern ASEAN and parts of East Asia have been experiencing dry weather conditions over the past several weeks. A total of 110 hotspots were detected in Northern ASEAN on 29 December. The haze is due to dust particles conveyed by the winds blowing from the north or northeast.

3For the next few days, showers are forecast over Singapore, and we expect the air quality to improve and remain in the Good range.

4NEA is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates when necessary.

Singapore, 18 December 2013 – Singapore has been experiencing Northeast Monsoon conditions since the onset of the Northeast Monsoon season in the region in late-November 2013. In the past weeks, short-duration thundery showers affected Singapore mostly in the afternoon and early evening. As of 17 December, the wettest areas were in the northeast with rainfall of around 85 to 98% of the long-term monthly average. The driest parts of the island were in the south and west where 30 to 40% of the long-term monthly average rainfall was recorded. Overall rainfall for December 2013 is expected to be around 10 – 30% above average.

2According to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), a steady strengthening of winds over the South China Sea known as a monsoon surge, is expected to affect the region over the next few days. The surge is likely to bring intermittent rain, heavy at times, with occasional windy conditions to Singapore on one to two days between 19 and 22 December 2013. High tides of 3.1m are expected during this period.

3Heavy rain coinciding with high tides could lead to localised flash floods especially in the low-lying areas. The public are advised to exercise caution during the monsoon season when flash floods may occur in the event of heavy rainfall. For the latest monsoon update, please visit https://www.weather.gov.sg/weather-forecast-monsoon-update/.

4Besides the regular weather forecast, NEA will issue warnings through the media when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected. This will help the public to better prepare for heavy rain.

5The public can obtain the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, at NEA’s website at www.nea.gov.sg. They can also assess the mobile weather service at Weather@SG (weather.nea.gov.sg) or by calling the NEA’s weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788.

6In the event of flash floods, the public can log on to PUB’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/PUBSg) or PUB’s Twitter (twitter.com/PUBSingapore), or tune in to radio broadcasts, to find out locations of flash floods. Additionally, they can download PUB’s free mobile app “MyWaters”, for updates on water level in key drains and canals and flash flood alerts.

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