Mercury could hit 35 deg C soon, but some businesses are thriving
Leow Si Wan, Straits Times 11 Jun 09;
THE sizzling weather of the past few weeks looks set to continue, right up to the weekend and possibly beyond.
The only respite might come from brief showers between the late morning and early afternoon on some days this week.
According to the 14-day forecast issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA) last week, temperatures over the next few days could hit 34 or even 35 deg C.
Things could get a lot more uncomfortable too: The dry weather during this period could result in forest fires in neighbouring countries, which may see haze settling over Singapore.
June, traditionally the hottest month of the year here, is also smack in the middle of the south-west monsoon season. This means rainfall levels are likely to be low as rain gets blown away by the strong south-west winds.
The heat spell usually begins in April and may hit its peak later this month.
So far, the hottest day during this period was May 13, when the mercury hit 33.6 deg C. But it could sizzle even higher this week. This, however, is well below the record of 36 deg C, recorded on March 26, 1998.
But while many people here are scurrying for relief, not everyone is complaining about the heatwave: For air-conditioner retailers, sales have spiked by up to 50 per cent.
A check with 12 of them showed that sales of units went up by between 15 and 50 per cent over the past month alone.
While business traditionally gets better during the hot months, retailers said demand is noticeably higher this year.
Companies which service air-conditioners are also raking in the cash.
Several companies contacted by The Straits Times said business is so good that they have had to turn away customers.
Mr Lemon Yeo, the owner of LemonCool Aircon, believes the increase in sales of air-con units could be due to more people choosing to keep cool indoors.
He said: 'People are staying at home, watching DVDs and eating at home to save money in these bad times, and they are spending money to stay comfortable instead.'
Business for him has doubled, and he has had to buy an extra van so that his employees can service and deliver air-con units to more homes.
The owner of Coolserve Air Condition Engineering, Mr Alex Soo, agreed: 'The weather has become unbearable and to many, especially the younger ones, air-cons are a need, not a luxury.'
He typically sells about 100 units a month, and said sales have gone up by close to 40 per cent in the past month.
Others are also cashing in on the heat.
Checks with several businesses selling cold refreshments show that cash registers have been ringing more over the past two months.
Cheers convenience stores and petrol kiosks, for instance, saw sales of chilled drinks increase by 40 per cent. Ice-cream sales, meanwhile, rose by 10 per cent in April and last month.
But people are also finding other alternatives to avert the heat.
Ms Gloria Khoo, 23, a branding executive, has been blasting her fans at full speed and trying to avoid crowds during the weekends.
Others, like Ms Joleen Tan, are using air-conditioned public facilities to keep cool: 'The weather is so hot that I feel like I am being burnt to death at home,' said the 39-year-old housewife.
'I have been spending more time in the library - there are books and you can read in air-conditioned comfort.
'It beats watching TV at home and sweating profusely.'
