Category Archives: News

Singapore, 11 October 2023 – There were thundery showers over many areas in Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 12-33 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 56-82, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2    Drier conditions were observed over several parts of Sumatra today. 66 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra, higher than the 15 hotspots detected yesterday. Over southern Sumatra, moderate smoke haze was observed from satellite imagery blowing towards the northwest.

3    While drier weather is forecast over southern and parts of central Sumatra tomorrow, showers over Singapore and its surrounding regions are expected to keep the likelihood of transboundary haze low. The prevailing winds are expected to blow mainly from the south or southwest. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

4    The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Use the 24-hr PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories for planning next day outdoor activities.

5     For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at https://asmc.asean.org.

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

Singapore, 10 October 2023 – Many areas of Singapore saw thundery showers in the late morning and afternoon today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 15-44 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 59-86, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2    There were showers over several areas in the region today. 15 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra today. Moderate smoke haze was observed from satellite imagery over southern Sumatra, blowing towards the northwest by prevailing winds

3    More showers are forecast over Singapore and the surrounding region tomorrow, with light and variable winds.  The wetter conditions should keep the regional fire and haze situation subdued, with a low likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

4    The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Use the 24-hr PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories for planning next day outdoor activities.

5     For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at https://asmc.asean.org.

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.

– End –

Singapore, 7 October 2023 – It has been slightly hazy in Singapore today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 30-94 µg/m³, in Band I – Band II (Normal to Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI was 66-120, in the high-end of the Moderate range to low-end of the Unhealthy range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2     Dry conditions continue to prevail over most parts of the surrounding region. 188 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra today, a slight decrease from the 212 hotspots detected yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to be blown towards the north and northwest by prevailing winds.

3     With lighter winds expected over Singapore and the surrounding region tomorrow, the current hazy conditions are expected to persist. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the high-end of the Moderate range to low- end of the Unhealthy range. Some showers and a favourable change in wind direction can be expected towards Monday, which may lead to some improvement in the haze situation.

Activity Guidelines

4    The main air pollutant during the haze season is PM_2.5, and the 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings are a good indicator of the current air quality. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the latest 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Health advisories during periods of transboundary haze are based primarily on the 24-hour PSI, as there are no major health studies done for other air quality indicators. Use the 24-hour PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories when planning for next day outdoor activities.

5     The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons are to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. The elderly, pregnant women and children are to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities, and persons with chronic lung disease and heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. Persons who are not feeling well should seek medical attention.

6     For updates, visit our NEA website (https://www.nea.gov.sg/), MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), the haze microsite (https://www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow us on NEA Facebook and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at (https://asmc.asean.org).

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.
– End –

Singapore, 2 October 2023 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are likely to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region, and the low-level winds are expected to blow from the southeast or southwest on most days. On a few days, the winds may temporarily weaken to become light and variable in direction.

2    In the coming fortnight, localised thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on most days due to the daytime heating of land areas. On one or two days, regional convergence of winds may bring widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore in the afternoon. Overall, the rainfall for the first half of October 2023 is likely to be below average over most parts of Singapore.

3    The daily maximum temperatures are expected to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. Although showers are expected on most days in the coming fortnight, the daily maximum temperature could still reach a high of slightly above 34 degrees Celsius on one or two days.

4    The showers over Singapore are expected to be mostly of short duration. With dry weather expected to continue in some parts of the surrounding region, Singapore may experience hazy conditions if the prevailing winds turn southwesterly and forest fires in Sumatra continue to persist. NEA will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide further updates if the situation changes. Should the 24-hour PSI be anticipated to enter the Unhealthy range, NEA will provide daily haze advisories.

5     For updates of the daily weather forecast and PSI readings, please visit the MSS website (https://www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 30 September 2023)

6    Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in September 2023, with low-level winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

7    Localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on several days. On 6 September 2023, large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region led to the development of widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of the island in afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 157.5 mm recorded at Lower Peirce Reservoir that day was the highest rainfall recorded for September 2023. On 24 September 2023, a Sumatra squall brought moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of Singapore in the morning. There were also several days where the weather was generally fair and occasionally windy.

8    The daily maximum temperatures in September 2023 were above 32 degrees Celsius on all days except 24 September 2023. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9 degrees Celsius was recorded at Sentosa on 19 September 2023. On several nights, the daily minimum temperatures over the eastern, southern and western coastal areas of the island were above 28 degrees Celsius.

9    Most parts of Singapore recorded above average rainfall in September 2023. Lower Peirce Reservoir recorded rainfall of 85 per cent above average, and Tengah recorded rainfall of 45 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for October
(Climatological reference period: 1991 – 2020)

Historical Extremes for October
(Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)

Singapore, 15 September 2023 – More thundery showers are expected in the second half of September 2023, compared to the first half of the month. The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions will likely continue over Singapore and the surrounding region, with the low-level winds blowing mainly from the southeast or southwest.

2    In the second fortnight of September 2023, the presence of a moist air mass and slight weakening of low-level winds over Singapore and the surrounding region may bring wetter weather conditions to Singapore. Short-duration thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on most days. Around the middle of forecast period, regional convergence of winds may bring widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore in the afternoon on two or three days. On the whole, we expect above average rainfall in the second half of September 2023. For the month of September, the total rainfall is expected to be above average over most parts of the island.

3    While more showers are forecast in the coming fortnight, the daily maximum temperatures are still expected to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On a few days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of slightly above 34 degrees Celsius.

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

REVIEW (1 – 14 September 2023)

5    Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first fortnight of September 2023 with the prevailing winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

6    Localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on some days. There were several days where the weather was generally fair and occasionally windy. On 6 September 2023, large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region led to the development of widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of the island in afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 157.5 mm recorded at Lower Peirce Reservoir that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of September 2023.

7    The daily maximum temperatures in the first fortnight of September 2023 were above 33 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Admiralty on 7 September 2023 and 14 September 2023. On a few nights, the daily minimum temperatures over the eastern, southern and western coastal areas of the island were above 28 degrees Celsius.

8     In the first fortnight of September 2023, below average rainfall was recorded over the northeastern and southwestern parts of Singapore while above average rainfall was recorded over other parts of the island. Lower Peirce Reservoir recorded rainfall of 109 per cent above average, and Tai Seng recorded rainfall of 47 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for September
(Climatological reference period: 1991 – 2020)

Historical Extremes for September
(Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)

Singapore, 30 August 2023 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are expected to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first fortnight of September 2023, with low-level winds blowing from the southeast or southwest.

2    The monsoon rain band is forecast to be mainly confined over the northern Southeast Asia region in the first half of September 2023, bringing less rainfall over Singapore. In the first week of September 2023, the presence of a dry air mass over Singapore and the surrounding region is expected to bring a few fair and windy days. Short-duration thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on some days, particularly in the second week of the month. The passage of Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds to Singapore on one to two mornings. Overall, the rainfall for the first fortnight of September 2023 is likely to be below average over most parts of Singapore.

3    The first fortnight of September 2023 is expected to be generally warm, with daily maximum temperatures ranging between 33 and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. Several nights may be warm, when the prevailing winds blow from the southeast or south bringing warm and moist air from the sea. On these nights, the temperatures may stay above 28 degrees Celsius, particularly over the eastern and southern coastal areas of the island.

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

REVIEW (1 – 29 Aug 2023)

5    Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in August 2023, with low-level winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

6    In August 2023, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on several days. Sumatra squalls also brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over Singapore on a few mornings. On 13 August 2023, heavy localised thundery showers fell over eastern Singapore in the early afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 84.4 mm recorded at Simei that day was the highest rainfall recorded for August 2023.

7    It was generally warm in August 2023. The daily maximum temperature in August 2023 was above 33 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius was recorded at Admiralty on 6 August 2023. There were also several warm nights, particularly over the southern and eastern parts of the island where the minimum night-time temperatures remained above 28 degrees Celsius.

8    Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in August 2023. Jurong recorded rainfall of 21 per cent above average, and Queenstown recorded rainfall of 61 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for September
(Climatological reference period: 1991 – 2020)

Historical Extremes for September
(Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)