Samantha Boh, Audrey Tan, The Straits Times AsiaOne 3 Nov 15;
SINGAPORE is enjoying its longest stretch of clear skies in close to two months, coinciding with the wetter weather recently.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) has remained in the moderate range of 51 to 100 for the last five days.
The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) told The Straits Times that the recent increase in rain has helped to ease the haze situation in the region, which could further improve in the coming months.
"Over the next few months, the prevailing winds would shift to blow predominantly from the north-east or north-west and may help to further ease the haze situation and lower the likelihood of transboundary haze," it said.
However, winds might still temporarily shift to blow from the south-west on one or two days, which could bring the haze back here.
This would also depend on the location and extent of the fires in Sumatra and the incidence of rain, the MSS noted.
Experts said last week that the change in wind direction was due to the current inter-monsoon season, which is expected to transition into the north-east monsoon wet season in mid-November.
The MSS added that the El Nino, which has exacerbated dry weather conditions in the region in recent months, is not known to have a significant effect on rainfall patterns during the north-east monsoon, which typically occurs between mid-November and January.
For today, the prevailing winds are forecast to be weak and variable in direction, and thundery showers are forecast for the afternoon, said the National Environment Agency.
Visibility is expected to be in the normal range and air quality is expected to again be in the moderate range, it added.
Afternoon rain expected in first 2 weeks of November: NEA
"Short-duration thundery showers" are forecast mostly in the afternoon during the first fortnight of November, says the National Environment Agency.
Channel NewsAsia 2 Nov 15;
SINGAPORE: Thundery showers in the afternoon are expected through the next fortnight of the month due to inter-monsoon conditions, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Monday (Nov 2).
“Short-duration thundery showers” are forecast mostly in the afternoon on six to eight days during the first two weeks of November, said NEA, adding that the showers “may be heavy at times”. Dry and warm weather conditions can also be expected, with the maximum daily temperature forecast to be between 33 and 34 degrees Celsius, the agency added.
“Based on long-term statistics, November is the second wettest month in the year, after December. The rainfall for the first fortnight of November 2015 is likely to be near normal,” said NEA.
Singapore received below-average rainfall in the hazy month of October, with the lowest level of 52mm and 60mm recorded around Paya Lebar. Tuas saw the highest level of rainfall of between 151mm and 176mm last month.
“October 2015 marked the fifth consecutive month since June 2015 where the monthly total rainfall averaged across all rainfall stations island wide was significantly below the long-term monthly average,” NEA added.
- CNA/xq
