Recent heavy rain not caused by global warming

Channel NewsAsia 13 Mar 08;

SINGAPORE : Singapore has been pounded by heavy thunderstorms over the past few days, which is an unusual sight in the month of March.

But rest assured, as weather forecasters said the cause is not due to global warming.

A phenomenon known as Equinox occurs when the centre of the Sun is directly above the Earth's equator. This happens twice a year during March and October, and Singapore always experiences hot weather during these two months.

Wednesday saw the heaviest rainfall so far this month, accounting for 65% (124 mm) of rain in March so far.

The main culprit is the natural climate cycle, La Nina. It is stronger this year due to a 2-degree Celsius drop in sea surface temperature, causing the wind to bring rain clouds to Southeast Asia.

"Usually, you have a strong flow of easterly wind blowing from east to the west, and that means from the Eastern Pacific towards Southeast Asia region. A long easterly wind across the ocean brings a lot of moisture, and that's causing the rainfall that we've experienced in the last few days," said Chief Meteorological Officer Lam Keng Gaik.

While the La Nina effect could last several months, the Meteorological Services does not expect it to bring rain throughout the period. Still, the next few days are expected to be rainy. - CNA /ls