More Sumatra squalls expected for Singapore

Channel NewsAsia 12 Jun 14;

SINGAPORE: The strong winds that toppled trees and smashed flowerpots across Singapore on early Thursday morning (June 12) were the result of a Sumatra squall, says the National Environment Agency (NEA).

A spokesman from NEA's Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said the squall affected Singapore between 2.15am and 3.30am, bringing rain and gusty winds to many parts of the island.

Those in the southwestern part of Singapore near the West Coast Highway experienced the highest wind speed of 103.7 km per hour. Several viewers sent in photographs of damage caused by the strong gusts, including fallen trees and collapsed roofs. The tents for the Hari Raya Bazaar at Geylang East Avenue 3 were also brought down by the massive gusts.

The highest wind speed ever recorded in Singapore was 144.4 km per hour back in 25 April 1984.

"Sumatra squalls are common during the South West Monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September or early October," said the MSS spokesman. "For the next fortnight, we can expect a few days of short-duration afternoon showers with one to two Sumatra squalls."

The public can refer to the latest weather reports at the NEA website, NEA’s Smartphone App (myEnv), NEA’s mobile weather service at Weather@SG, Twitter via @NEAsg and the weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788.

- CNA/xy

Sumatra squall brings rain and gusty winds to Singapore
Today Online 12 Jun 14;

SINGAPORE – Winds of speeds as high as 103.7km/h were recorded early this morning (June 12), leaving behind fallen trees and collapsed tents on parts of the island.

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said a Sumatra squall – which are common during the Southwest Monsoon season that typically lasts from June to early October – affected Singapore between 2.15am to 3.30am. The squall brought rain and gusty winds to many parts of the island, with the south-western part of Singapore near West Coast highway recording the highest wind speed of 103.7km/h. In comparison, the highest wind speed recorded was 144.4km/h, on April 25 1984.

The intense storms resulted in 18 incidences of fallen trees, 30 fallen branches, and six snapped trunks, said Mr Oh Cheow Sheng, Director, Streetscape, National Parks Board (Nparks).

There were no reports of injury, and the obstructions were cleared upon notification, he said.

The MSS also said for the next fortnight, there could be a few days of short-duration afternoon showers with one to two Sumatra squalls.

Strong winds topple trees, tents
TAN SHI WEI Today Online 13 Jun 14;

SINGAPORE — Strong winds at speeds of as high as 103.7kmh were recorded early yesterday morning, toppling trees and collapsing tents in different parts of the island.

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said a Sumatra squall — which is common during the Southwest Monsoon season that typically lasts from June to early October — affected Singapore between 2.15am and 3.30am.

The squall brought rain and gusty winds to many parts of the island. Yesterday’s highest wind speed of 103.7kmh was recorded at the south-western part of Singapore near West Coast Highway. In comparison, the highest wind speed recorded in Singapore was 144.4kmh on April 25, 1984.

The intense gusts and rain resulted in 18 fallen trees, 30 fallen branches and six snapped trunks, said Mr Oh Cheow Sheng, director of Streetscape at NParks. There were no reports of injuries and the obstructions were cleared up.

Mr Ang See Chien was driving along Sims Ave and Geylang Road when he saw the collapsed tents at Geylang Serai. “I saw that almost three-quarters of the tents collapsed, probably due to the heavy storm. Many HDB blocks near the vicinity had fallen bamboo sticks at the void decks. It is very dangerous as it concerns the safety of the public,” said the 53-year-old property manager.

MSS said there could be a few days of short afternoon showers with one or two Sumatra squalls over the next fortnight.

The public can call the NParks helpline at 1800 471 7300 to inform them of fallen trees. TAN SHI WEI

100kmh gusts topple trees and damage cars
Grace Chua The Straits Times AsiaOne 13 Jun 14;

SINGAPORE - Violent gusts of wind during an early-morning storm yesterday downed trees, knocked tiles off roofs and caused fish farms to drift from their moorings.

The effects were felt from Pasir Panjang to Pulau Ubin as branches fell on cars, trees fell and caused jams.

Commuting to work in Chinatown from her Pasir Panjang home yesterday morning, lawyer Anamika Bagchi, 30, found the way blocked by fallen trees not once but twice - on South Buona Vista Road and near Tanglin.

"It took me an hour to get to work instead of the usual 15 minutes," she said.

There were about 10 cases of obstruction on roads here due to yesterday's storm, the Land Transport Authority said.

Magazine writer Rachel Tan, 26, who lives off Tanglin Road, said: "I woke to a shocking view on my balcony, with overturned furniture and tall potted plants that were knocked over - like a typhoon had just stopped by."

The widespread destruction was caused by a Sumatra squall between 2.15am and 3.30am that brought rain and gusty winds to many parts of the island, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).

The highest wind speed recorded during the storm was 103.7kmh, near West Coast Highway. The highest wind speed recorded here was 144.4kmh on April 25, 1984, the MSS said.

Sumatra squalls are common during the south-west monsoon season, typically lasting from June to September or early October. "For the next fortnight, we can expect a few days of short-duration afternoon showers with one to two Sumatra squalls," an MSS spokesman said.

Yesterday's storm is unlikely to be linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, said National University of Singapore weather researcher Winston Chow.

Rather, such strong gusts are caused by extremely strong pressure changes along the leading edge of the storm.

"Air from the surface gets thrust upwards, then pushed down rapidly, due to density differences between air parcels in the storm. The damage occurs primarily from these very strong downdrafts which are seen as short-lived but powerful gusts at the surface," he said.

It was a dark and stormy night
The New Paper AsiaOne 15 Jun 14;

SINGAPORE - Some residents were stirred by the angry rattling of windows at 3am.

Others, by the howling winds that raced through their housing estate.

And the winds tore branches off large trees, sending bits everywhere.

Retiree Peter Yu, 60, was out for his exercise at 9am when he realised a huge tree had fallen and covered much of the senior citizen fitness corner at Block 467A, Admiralty Drive.

"The first thing that went through my mind was to check if anyone was hurt," he said.

He estimates that the tree was at least seven storeys high and up to 3m wide.

Mr Yu learnt from the contractors clearing up the fallen wood that, fortunately, nobody had been injured.

"It was lucky that it happened before 5am because the place is usually busy, with people going to work and elderly people exercising there."

He said it took three to five hours for the contractors to clear the trees.

About five workers used chain saws to cut the fallen tree into smaller pieces, which were later loaded onto a lorry.

VISIBLE DAMAGE

All across the island yesterday, residents woke up to the destruction caused by powerful winds.

Trees, a large tent and even part of a building's roof were damaged because of the strong gusts.

Some parts of Singapore were also hit by heavy rain.

Mr Muhammad Kamal, 53, was passing Geylang Serai with his wife when he noticed a large tent had fallen at the field along Geylang East Avenue 3.

"My wife suspected that it might be the strong winds that she experienced when she was going home at around 2am," said the logistics assistant.

"I was concerned for people's safety. I thought, 'What if this happened during the day when people are around?" he added.

Workers were seen rebuilding the tent yesterday afternoon.

The tent is meant for the Hari Raya Bazaar during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on June 29.

Other parts of Singapore also experienced the wind's wrath.

A section of the roof at a building in Penjuru Lane had collapsed.

Citizen journalism website Stomp reported that a large tree branch had fallen on a parked car and van.

A Meteorological Service Singapore spokesman said the rain and gusty winds were due to a passing Sumatra squall between 2.15am and 3.30am yesterday.

The spokesman added that one to two Sumatra squalls can be expected in the next fortnight, accompanied by a few days of short afternoon showers.

What is a Sumatra squall?

Sumatra squalls are lines of thunderstorms which usually occur between March and November each year.

They move from Sumatra towards Singapore, usually during the pre-dawn or early morning hours.

The thunderstorms are often characterised by sudden onset of strong. gusty winds and heavy rain.

Yesterday, south-western Singapore recorded the highest wind speed of the night with 103.7kmh. This happened at 2.50am.

But this was lower than the highest wind speed on record - 144.4kmh recorded on April 25, 1984.

The south-west monsoon season, from June to early October, sees favourable winds for these storms. They can last for up to two hours as they move across the island.

Information from Meteorological Service Singapore and National Environment Agency

Related link
Stormy shores: The Sumatras on the wild shores of singapore blog