Forecast

MONSOON UPDATE

In mid-November 2024, a strengthening and shifting of the low-level winds over the surrounding region of Singapore and South China Sea to blow from the northeast or northwest, signalled the start of the Northeast Monsoon season.

The prevailing Northeast Monsoon season is currently in its wet phase, and rainy and occasionally windy conditions are expected to extend into January 2025. During this period, thundery showers are likely in the afternoon and evening due to a confluence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. There may also be several monsoon surges that bring prolonged and widespread rainfall over Singapore and the surrounding region. A monsoon surge is associated with the intensification of high-pressure systems over central China, and typically results in a strong outflow (or surge) of cold air over the South China Sea towards the Equator. Each episode of a monsoon surge usually lasts between 2 – 3 days, and can bring strong north-easterly winds, as well as cool and rainy weather over Singapore and the surrounding region.

During the wet phase of the season, daily temperatures in Singapore can range between 23°C and 33°C on most days. Cooler weather with lows of 22°C can be expected on rainy and cloudy days.

Around late-January/early February 2025, the Northeast Monsoon is forecast to enter the dry phase as the monsoon rain band shifts further south of the Equator. The dry phase is likely to extend into March 2025. During the period, Singapore can expect fewer rain days and less cloudy conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region. Fair and warm weather, with occasionally windy conditions can be expected on most days, with daily maximum temperatures reaching up to 34 – 35°C on some days. Strong solar heating of land areas may trigger the development of sea breeze, resulting in convergence of winds over the island and thundery showers over parts of Singapore on some days.

Overall, rainfall in Singapore for December-January-February period is expected to be near-normal.

The long-term rainfall and temperature statistics* for December to March at our climate station are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Long-term rainfall and temperature statistics for December to March

For the latest weather forecast, including heavy rain warnings, please visit our MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg) or download the myENV app.

*based on 30-yr climatological reference period (1991-2020)

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