Category Archives: Uncategorized

October 21, 2023

Haze Situation Update (21 October 2023)

Singapore, 21 October 2023 – As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 5-12 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 34-56, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 There were some showers over parts of Singapore and the surrounding region today. Hotspot activity in the region was generally subdued, with seven hotspots detected in southern Sumatra, comparable to the three hotspots detected yesterday. No significant smoke haze was observed due to rain and cloud cover.

3 In the coming days, showers are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region. The prevailing winds are forecast to be light and variable in direction. The regional hotspot and haze situation is expected to remain subdued and the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. 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 –

October 20, 2023

Haze Situation Update (20 October 2023)

Singapore, 20 October 2023 – As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 7-16 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 41-59, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Showers were observed over much of Singapore and the surrounding region today. 3 hotspots were detected in southern Sumatra, comparable to the 4 hotspots detected yesterday. No significant smoke haze was observed over the region as there was extensive rain and cloud cover.

3 The regional hotspot and haze situation is expected to remain subdued under continued wet weather conditions in the coming days. Moreover, with prevailing winds forecast to be generally light and variable in direction, the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

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

– End –

October 19, 2023

Haze Situation Update (19 October 2023)

Singapore, 19 October 2023 – As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 7-20 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 37-62, in the Good to Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 There was rain over most parts of Singapore and the surrounding region today, bringing an improvement to the regional hotspot and haze situation. 4 hotspots were detected in southern and central Sumatra, lower than the 100 hotspots detected yesterday. No significant smoke haze was observed over southern and central Sumatra under thick cloud cover.

3 More showers are forecast for Singapore and the surrounding region over the next few days. The prevailing winds are forecast to be generally light and variable in direction. The return of wet weather is expected to keep the regional hotspot and haze situation subdued. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

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

– End –

October 17, 2023

Haze Situation Update (17 October 2023)

Singapore, 17 October 2023 – It was fair and warm over Singapore today. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 8-22 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 51-65, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 The weather remained dry over most parts of the surrounding region today. 530 hotspots were detected in southern and central Sumatra, higher than the 285 hotspots detected yesterday. Smoke haze over southern and central Sumatra was observed to be blown towards the northwest by prevailing winds.

3 An increase in shower activities is forecast for Singapore and the surrounding region from tomorrow. The prevailing winds are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast or south, weakening to become light and variable in direction over the next few days. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is assessed to be low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

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

– End –

October 16, 2023

More Showers in the Coming Fortnight to Bring Some Respite to Warm Conditions

9 Oct 2023 saw the highest temperature ever recorded in the month of October at 36.3 degree Celsius

Singapore, 16 October 2023 – More showers are expected for the rest of October 2023 compared to the first half of the month, which may bring some respite to the warm weather.

2 Thundery showers are expected on most days in the coming fortnight. Afternoon thundery showers are expected this week, extending into the evening on a few days. In the second half of the fortnight, short-duration thundery showers may occur over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon. On the whole, we expect above average rainfall in the second half of October 2023.

3 With showers expected on most days, temperatures are likely to be lower compared to the first half of the month. Daily maximum temperatures are expected to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days.

4 More showers are also forecast for the southern Southeast Asia region in the coming fortnight, which may bring some improvement to the haze situation and reduce the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore. The chance of the 24-hr PSI reaching the unhealthy range in Singapore is low for the coming fortnight.

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 OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 October 2023)

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

7 The first half of October 2023 was dry and warm, except for a few days when brief showers fell over Singapore. These conditions were due to suppressed rain cloud formation arising from a dry air mass moving over the surrounding region.

8 On 7 and 8 of October 2023, smoke haze from forest fires in central and southern Sumatra were blown by prevailing winds to Singapore. This resulted in hazy conditions with the air quality deteriorating into the Unhealthy range over parts of the island. The highest 24-hour PSI of 123 was recorded in the eastern part of Singapore between 8 and 9 pm on 7 October 2023.

9 In the first two weeks of October 2023, maximum temperatures rose above 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On 9 October 2023, temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius in several parts of Singapore, with 36.3 degrees Celsius recorded at Admiralty. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore in the month of October, surpassing the previous record high of 35.7 degrees Celsius recorded on 14 October 2001 and 13 October 2019.

10 Well-below-average rainfall was recorded across the island in the first half of October 2023. The highest anomaly of 100 per cent below-average was recorded at Paya Lebar.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

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

Average daily maximum temperature:	31.8 °C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.0 °C
Average monthly temperature:	27.9 °C
Average rainfall:	168.3 mm
Average number of rain days:	15

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

Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.0°C (2002)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.8 °C (1964)

Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	497.1 mm (1947)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	10.8 mm (2002)

October 14, 2023

Haze Situation Update (14 October 2023)

Singapore, 14 October 2023 – Singapore experienced generally fair and warm weather today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 11-26 µg/m3, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 52-69, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Most parts of the surrounding region remained dry today, except for a few showers in northern Sumatra. 68 hotspots were detected mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra, lower than the 126 hotspots detected yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed over parts of southern and central Sumatra from satellite imagery, drifting towards the north and northwest.

3 For the next few days, the dry conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region are forecast to continue, with prevailing winds likely to blow from the south, and occasionally from the southwest. There is a chance of slight haze affecting Singapore if the regional haze situation escalates. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

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

– End –

October 9, 2023

Haze Situation Update (9 October 2023)

Singapore, 9 October 2023 – There were thundery showers over many areas in Singapore this afternoon. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 18-40 µg/m3, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 55-73, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Wetter conditions were observed over many parts of the surrounding region today. Due to thick cloud cover, hotspots and smoke plumes could not be detected over Sumatra from satellite imagery today.

3 While the prevailing winds are expected to blow mainly from the south or southwest tomorrow, showers in the region will help to improve the hotspot and haze situation in Sumatra. The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is thus low. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

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

– End –

October 8, 2023

Haze Situation Update (8 October 2023)

Singapore, 8 October 2023 – The haze situation in Singapore improved today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 10-18 µg/m³, in Band I (Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 57-86, in the Moderate range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2 Dry conditions persisted over most parts of Singapore and the surrounding region. 68 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra today, lower than the 188 hotspots detected yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed from satellite imagery over central and southern Sumatra, blowing towards the northwest by prevailing winds.

3 The prevailing winds are forecast to blow mainly from the east tomorrow, lowering the likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore. Showers are also expected over Singapore and the surrounding region which could bring about some improvement to the regional haze situation. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.

Activity Guidelines

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

– End –

August 16, 2023

Current Drier Weather Conditions Expected to Continue in the Coming Fortnight

Singapore, 16 August 2023 – The drier weather conditions experienced in the first half of August 2023 are likely to continue into the second half of the month. During the coming fortnight, the prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are expected to persist, with the low-level winds over Singapore blowing from the southeast or southwest.

2 In the second fortnight of August 2023, the monsoon rain band is forecast to lie over the northern Southeast Asia region, resulting in less rainfall over Singapore. Short-duration thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on some days. In the middle of next week, the presence of a dry air mass over Singapore and the surrounding region may bring a few fair weather days to Singapore. The passage of Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds on one to two mornings. On the whole, we expect below average rainfall in the second half of August 2023. For the month of August, the total rainfall is expected to be well below average over most parts of the island.

3 Warm conditions are expected on most days in the second half of August 2023, with daily maximum temperatures ranging between 33 and 34 degrees Celsius. The daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 35 degrees Celsius on a few days. Several nights may also be warm, particularly when the prevailing winds blow from the southeast or south, and bring warm and humid air from the sea. Night-time temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius can be expected on these nights, particularly over the south-eastern parts 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 – 15 Aug 2023)

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

6 In the first half of August 2023, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on several days. Heavy localised thundery showers fell over eastern Singapore in the early afternoon on 13 August 2023. The daily total rainfall of 84.4 mm recorded at Simei that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first fortnight of August 2023.

7 The daily maximum temperature in the first half of August 2023 ranged between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 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 ranged between 28 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

8 Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the first fortnight of August 2023. Simei recorded rainfall of 14 per cent above average, and MacRitchie recorded rainfall of 82 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

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

Average daily maximum temperature:	31.4 °C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3 °C
Average monthly temperature:	28.1 °C
Average rainfall:	146.9 mm
Average number of rain days:	14

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

Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.7 °C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.0 °C (1962)

Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	526.8 mm (1878)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	11.8 mm (2019)

August 1, 2023

Warm Conditions with Short-Duration Thundery Showers Expected in the Coming Fortnight

Singapore, 1 August 2023 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are expected to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region in the coming fortnight, with low-level winds continuing to blow from the southeast or southwest.

2 Localised short-duration thundery showers are forecast over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on some days during the first half of August 2023. On a few of these days, the thundery showers may be widespread and intense, when there is large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region. Widespread thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls may occur between the pre-dawn hours and morning on one or two days. The presence of a dry air mass over Singapore and the surrounding region may bring relatively fair and warm weather to Singapore on a few days. Overall, the rainfall for the first fortnight of August 2023 is likely to be slightly below average over most parts of Singapore

3 Warm conditions with daily maximum temperatures of around 34 degrees Celsius are expected on most days in the first two weeks of August 2023. The daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 35 degrees Celsius on a few days. Warm and humid conditions are also expected on some nights in the coming fortnight. Warm nights typically occur when the prevailing winds blow from the southeast and bring warm, humid air from the sea over the land. On these nights, the temperatures may stay above 29 degrees Celsius, particularly over the southern and eastern 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 – 31 July 2023)

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

6 In July 2023, thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on most days. On 20 July 2023, convergence of winds over the surrounding region brought widespread thundery showers to Singapore in the morning. The daily total rainfall of 124 mm recorded at Tuas that day was the highest rainfall recorded for July 2023.

7 There were five days in July 2023 when the daily maximum temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius or more. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius was recorded at Choa Chu Kang and Clementi on 5 July 2023. There were also several warm nights, particularly during the last week of July 2023, where the minimum night-time temperatures ranged between 28 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius over the southern and eastern parts of the island. The lowest minimum temperature was 21.8 degrees Celsius recorded at Admiralty on 20 July 2023 when there were island-wide thundery showers.

8 Most parts of Singapore recorded above average rainfall in July 2023. Kent Ridge recorded rainfall of 149 per cent above average, and Sembawang recorded rainfall of 37 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

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

Average daily maximum temperature:	31.4 °C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3 °C
Average monthly temperature:	28.1 °C
Average rainfall:	146.9 mm
Average number of rain days:	14

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

Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.7 °C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.0 °C (1962)

Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	526.8 mm (1878)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	11.8 mm (2019)