Drier, warmer weather expected in second half of February: MSS

This month could rank among the top five warmest Februaries since records started in 1929, met services say.
Channel NewsAsia 16 Feb 16;

SINGAPORE: Expect drier and warmer weather in the second half of February, as the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon season starts said Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on Tuesday (Feb 16).

The temperature for the next fortnight is forecast to range between 25°C and 34°C the agency said in an advisory. "The mean monthly temperature for February 2016 is likely to be warmer than the long-term mean of 27.1°C for February. February 2016 could rank among the top five warmest Februaries since records started in 1929," MSS added.

Rainfall is expected to be near average over the next fortnight, but short-duration thundery showers can be expected on five to six days in the afternoon.

In the first two weeks of February, most parts of the island received above average rainfall and a monsoon surge resulted in a wet start to the Chinese New Year. Daily maximum temperatures of below 30°C were recorded in Singapore on consecutive days during the period.

- CNA/ju

Last 2 weeks of Feb to be drier and warmer
Chew Hui Min, MyPaper AsiaOne 17 Feb 16;

EXPECT the second half of February to be drier and warmer than the first two weeks of the month, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a weather advisory yesterday.

The temperature for the next fortnight is forecast to range between 25 deg C and 34 deg C.

The mean monthly temperature for this month is likely to be warmer than the long-term mean of 27.1 deg C.

February 2016 could also rank among the top five warmest Februaries since records started in 1929, NEA said.

Short, localised thundery showers are predicted on five to six days in the afternoon.

This is due to "strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity".

Rainfall for the month is expected to be near average.

The north-east monsoon will persist, with low-level winds blowing mostly from the north or north-east.

The prevailing wet phase of the season is expected to gradually transit to the dry phase around the last week of February.