Hazy conditions still expected despite 'slight improvement' after rain: NEA

Thundery showers on Wednesday afternoon (Sep 9) brought a "slight improvement" to the air quality, but hazy conditions can still be expected through Thursday, says the National Environment Agency.
Channel NewsAsia 9 Sep 15;

SINGAPORE: Thundery showers on Wednesday afternoon (Sep 9) brought a "slight improvement" to the air quality, said the National Environment Agency (NEA), but hazy conditions can still be expected for the rest of the day and Thursday.

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) at 10pm was 70-77, which is in the Moderate range, while the 3-hour PSI at the same time was 96. On Tuesday, the 24-hour PSI neared the Unhealthy range (101 to 200).

In an advisory, NEA said that hazy conditions can still be expected on Wednesday and Thursday as prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the south and southwest. Showers are forecast for Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon on Thursday.

"The 24-hour PSI for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the high end of the Moderate range and low end of the Unhealthy range, and may further deteriorate if the winds are unfavourable," NEA added.

- CNA/dl/ms

Haze to linger amid showers as more hot spots seen
Today Online 9 Sep 15;

SINGAPORE — The haze hovering over Singapore is expected to linger tomorrow (Sept 10), said the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Although it was still hazy today, thundery showers in the afternoon improved air quality for the rest of the day.

As at 7pm today, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was 69 to 77 in the high end of the moderate (51 to 100) range, but down from 83 to 95 at 7am.

A total of 140 hot spots were detected in Sumatra island in Indonesia today, an increase from 38 yesterday.

Moderate to dense smoke haze was also observed in southern Sumatra, said the NEA.

Hazy conditions are expected again tomorrow with showers expected in the late morning and early afternoon.

The 24-hr PSI is expected to be in the high end of the moderate range and low end of the unhealthy (101 to 200) range.

The PSI may further deteriorate if the winds are unfavourable, said the NEA.