Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 16 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE: Heavy showers hit Singapore on Sunday, ending the 27-day dry spell which started last month.
The National Environment Agency said in a statement on Sunday that the rains had been blown in from the South China Sea by strong easterly winds, and the showers had been heaviest in the eastern and southern parts of the island.
It was relief for many, and thundery showers are forecast for the next two days in the late morning and afternoon.
The rain will certainly provide relief to the parched earth, which had turned brown during Singapore's record dry spell.
Many people took to social media to post a flood of wet weather images from various parts of the island. One of them was Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who welcomed the rain on his Facebook page.
The dry spell did bring some lessons, as it has raised awareness about the need for water conservation.
The National Environment Agency said the northeast monsoon's dry phase is expected to transition to the inter-monsoon period in the final week of March -- meaning more rainy weather is expected.
- CNA/ac
More thundery showers expected as 27-day dry spell ends
Channel NewsAsia 16 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE: Singapore can expect thundery showers in the late morning and afternoon in the next two days, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said.
More rainfall can be expected over the next fortnight as the Northeast Monsoon transitions to the inter-monsoon period expected in the last week of March 2014, the agency added.
This comes as heavy showers in the late morning and afternoon on Sunday ended the 27-day dry spell that started on February 17.
The NEA said the downpour was due to an "equatorial band of extensive rain clouds in the southern part of the South China Sea, brought in to Singapore and the surrounding region by strong, deep easterly winds".
The showers were heaviest in the eastern and southern parts of the island, which received the least rainfall during the dry spell.
All except one of the Meteorological Service Singapore's 64 rainfall stations recorded rainfall above 1mm.
As of 6.30pm on Sunday, the highest rainfall total recorded is 52.6mm at Changi, while 19 other stations in the east, south and central areas recorded rainfall totals ranging from 31mm to 51.8mm.
The highest rainfall recorded in an hour is 33.2mm (between 12.35pm and 1.35pm) at Sentosa.
- CNA/ac
3-hour PSI drops to 9 at 4pm today
Today Online 16 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE — The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) has dropped to 9, with the 24-hour PSI at the 23-33 range, reported the National Environment Agency (NEA) at 4pm today (March 16). The readings are within the “Good” range.
This comes as heavy downpours were reported across the island, with many taking to social media to report the rain which arrived after a record-breaking dry spell.
Yesterday, the NEA said a slight change in the prevailing wind direction, together with brief showers in the afternoon yesterday mostly in the eastern and central parts of the island, brought some improvement to the hazy conditions in Singapore. Winds shifted from northeasterly to easterly yesterday, blowing haze in southern Johor away from Singapore.
A total of three hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia and 11 hotspots in Sumatra yesterday. The low count is due to cloud cover and a partial satellite pass.
An NEA report yesterday said that hazy conditions can still be expected for the next few days in the late afternoons and evenings should the wind direction change to blow from the northeast and if the hotspots in southern Johor persist.
Showers are expected to continue over the next three days, with thundery showers on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the NEA’s three-day forecast. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHANNEL NEWSASIA
Rain brings relief to sweltering Singapore
Today Online 17 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE — Heavy showers across Singapore yesterday ended a 27-day dry spell and improved the hazy conditions experienced over the past week, with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) staying in the “good” range throughout the day.
The rain, which started at 9.40am, was heaviest in the eastern and southern parts of the island — areas that received the least rainfall during the dry spell, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a statement yesterday.
All except one of the Meteorological Service Singapore’s 64 rainfall stations recorded rainfall of above 1.0mm.
As at 6.30pm, the highest rainfall total was 52.6mm at Changi. Nineteen other stations in the east, south and central areas recorded rainfall totals ranging from 31.0mm to 51.8mm.
While there had been occasional brief showers on Saturday afternoon, the NEA had said then that the rainfall was not widespread and heavy enough to break the dry spell.
Yesterday, many people took to social media to post a flood of wet weather pictures. Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also welcomed the rain on his Facebook page.
The rain was the result of an equatorial band of extensive rain clouds from the southern part of the South China Sea brought in to Singapore and the surrounding region by strong, deep easterly winds, said the NEA.
In an update on the haze situation, the NEA said no hot spots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra yesterday due to extensive cloud cover. As at 10pm, air quality in Singapore was in the “good” band, with the three-hour PSI at 14 and the 24-hour PSI between 19 and 29. The 24-hour PM2.5 was between 10 and 19 micrograms per cubic metre.
The NEA also said there were showers over parts of Peninsular Malaysia and central Sumatra, including the Riau province, with the former seeing improved air quality. As at 5pm yesterday, only three areas — one in Perak and two in Selangor — reported air quality in the “unhealthy” range.
Schools in Malaysia that were closed last Friday due to the hazardous levels of air pollution have been directed to reopen today, reported Bernama.
Thundery showers are expected in Singapore in the late morning and afternoon today and tomorrow, while the air quality for the next 24 hours is expected to remain in the “moderate” band, said the NEA yesterday. The showers have been forecast as the North-east Monsoon transitions to the Inter-Monsoon period expected in the last week of this month.
Winds in the surrounding region are also expected to blow mainly from the east over the next few days. Should the winds temporarily turn in direction to blow from the north-east, or if there are hot spot activities in southern Johor, slightly hazy conditions are to be expected.
An earlier dry spell between Jan 13 and Feb 8 also lasted 27 days.
At last, heavy rain returns
Jacqueline Woo MyPaper AsiaOne 17 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE - The heavy rain that hit many parts of Singapore yesterday was greeted with unbridled joy by Singaporeans sick of the recent dry spell.
The National Environment Agency's (NEA's) three-hour Nowcast, which tracks rainfall patterns, showed thundery showers across the island. This followed light showers on Saturday.
On Facebook, one user called Melly Mel wrote: "All the plants are rejoicing in this rain. 'Finally some water,' they say!"
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean posted a photo of himself standing in the rain: "Yeah! It's pouring in Pasir Ris Park after our community run this morning. Nice to get wet!" The post had garnered more than 730 likes as of 10pm yesterday.
The rain also cleared the haze. As of 8pm, the 24-hour PSI was in the 20 to 31 range.
The NEA said the showers were heaviest in the eastern and southern parts of the island, which received the least rainfall during the dry spell.
Showers yesterday also affected parts of peninsular Malaysia and central Sumatra, including Riau province, and no hot spots were detected in those areas because of extensive cloud cover.
Thanks to "improved conditions", the air quality for today will be moderate, and Singaporeans can expect thundery showers in the late morning and afternoon over the next few days.
The NEA had earlier said that more rainfall can be expected as Singapore heads into the inter-monsoon period. Even so, total rainfall for this month is likely to be below the March long-term average of 185.9mm.
Local weather researcher Winston Chow said the fluctuating weather conditions are not likely to continue, given Singapore's climate for this time of the year, as the weather context for the next few months is "favourable for humid, cloudy, and possibly rainy conditions, especially in the afternoons".
The dry spell started in mid-January, with February setting the record for being the driest month in Singapore since 1869.
National water agency PUB has been topping up Singapore's 17 reservoirs with Newater since January. Yesterday's rain "helped to increase water levels in our reservoirs slightly", said Mr George Madhavan, director of PUB's 3P Network. Although "some rain has returned", the public should continue to conserve water, he added.
A National Parks Board spokesman said the rain is "a welcomed respite and will help our plants recover".
For owners of local farm businesses such as Eden Garden Farm's Chan Yow Tiong, 63, the rain was a heartening sign, and one that was much welcomed. "My pond was about to dry up," said Mr Chan, who waters the vegetables in his farm with pondwater.
Other farmers including Mr Soh Chau Hian, 68, pointed out that yesterday's rain alone would not be enough to offset the parching effects of the dry spell. "The soil is still very dry," he said.
Additional reporting by Goh Wei Hao
Here comes the rain again as Singapore marks World Water Day
Amelia Tan The Sunday Times AsiaOne 18 Mar 14;
Singapore marked World Water Day on Saturday, and right on cue, light rain fell in some places on Saturday afternoon for a brief respite from the prolonged dry weather.
Singaporeans including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took to social media to welcome the burst of rain.
"Arriving at ITE College Central for the National RC Convention - RAIN!!" wrote Mr Lee on his Facebook page, along with a picture of the Institute of Technical Education college seen through water droplets on a car windscreen.
He was on his way to a residents' committee (RC) event.
It was but a passing shower mostly in eastern and central Singapore. The National Environment Agency said in a statement yesterday that as of 5pm, the highest rainfall recorded was 3.8mm at Scotts Road.
"The rainfall this afternoon was not widespread and heavy enough to break the current dry spell," it added.
Since dry weather conditions will stay, conserving water must continue to be a priority for Singaporeans, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Sunday at a World Water Day event at Marina Barrage.
He said the dry spell has not affected the country because the Government has planned and invested in water systems.
But he said Singaporeans must be prepared for a prolonged dry spell and called on them to make small changes to conserve water.
They can save water by taking shorter showers, washing clothes on a full load in washing machines and brushing teeth with a mug instead of using running water.
"When added up, these savings will help stretch our water resources further," he said.
Mr Teo was among several ministers and Members of Parliament who attended World Water Day events at Marina Barrage, Jurong Lake, Geylang River, Punggol Waterway and Yishun Pond.
More than 17,500 people took part in activities such as mass walks and cycling.
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was at Jurong Lake, also urged Singaporeans to save water. "Water is especially precious now, and it is important for all of us to do more for water conservation," he said.
Tuas has had the most rainfall in the first two weeks of March, with a total of 18.6mm. There were brief afternoon showers in the western parts of Singapore but other areas had little or no rain.
