Dry and warm conditions expected in first half of March: MSS

The Meteorological Service Singapore says temperatures may reach as high as 34°C during this period.
Channel NewsAsia 1 Mar 16;

SINGAPORE: The dry weather experienced in the past week is expected to extend into the first two weeks of March, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said on Tuesday (Mar 1).

The temperature during this period is expected to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days, but on some days the daily maximum temperature may reach as high as 34°C.

MSS said dry and occasionally windy conditions are expected to prevail on most days, but there will be localised short-duration thundery showers. These will be expected mostly in the afternoon around the middle of the fortnight period.

"The showers may be heavy at times on days when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas," it said.

According to MSS, Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist in March with low-level winds blowing predominantly from the north or northeast, and rainfall for the first half of the month is expected to be "near-normal".

- CNA/mz


Mostly dry and warm days ahead for first two weeks of March
Today Online 1 Mar 16;

SINGAPORE — The next two weeks should see mostly dry and warm conditions, said the weatherman on Tuesday (March 1).

According to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), daily temperatures during this period is expected to range between 24°C and 33°C on most days. There will be days that the daily maximum temperature could reach up to 34°C, the Met Service added.

Nonetheless, rainfall for the first half of March is expected to be near-normal. Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected in the afternoons of some days, with heavy showers possible on days when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong solar heating of land areas.

Singapore is in the midst of the North-east Monsoon conditions, with low level winds blowing predominantly from the north or north-east. Last month was the fourth warmest February since 1929, with the highest daily maximum temperature recorded ranging between 33.8°C and 34.2°C, while the mean monthly temperature was 27.8°C. This is despite the fact that the second week of February saw occasionally windy and cool weather conditions, with the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded between 21.5°C and 22.5°C due to a monsoon surge that affected the region.

The warm conditions though did not mean less rainfall. Rainfall across Singapore was above average last month, said the Met Service. The highest rainfall of 186mm (68 per cent above average) was recorded over the eastern part of Singapore around Changi. Rainfall was lowest over the north-eastern part of the island around Seletar, where 178mm (11 per cent above average) was recorded.


More windy days ahead with north-east monsoon
Adrian Lim, The Straits Times AsiaOne 3 Mar 16;

Even as the dry weather carries over from the past week into the fortnight ahead, Singaporeans will feel the wind in their hair.

This is because the north-east monsoon, which brought heavy showers in December and January, is reaching its end.

"The windiness is typical of this time of year... Based on historical data, by mid/late March, it should be calmer as inter-monsoon conditions will prevail," said Assistant Professor Winston Chow of the National University of Singapore's department of geography.

A Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) spokesman said that over the next two weeks, occasional windy conditions with daily average wind speed of 15kmh to 30kmh can be expected. The northern and eastern parts of the island are likely to experience windier conditions.

The MSS said that during the north-east monsoon season - between December and March - cold and dry conditions develop over much of continental northern Asia. "Intense high-pressure systems in these regions produce occasional surges of strong and cold winds that flow southward to the South China Sea and our surrounding region," it added.

In terms of rainfall over the fortnight, the MSS said there will likely be localised, short-duration thundery showers in the afternoon on some days. The temperature is expected to range between 24 and 33 deg C on most days.

Housewife Merinna Choy, who is in her 60s and lives in Upper Thomson, said: "These days, it's windy not just in the evenings but also during the afternoons when it is sunny.

"My wind chimes at home are making a lot of noise," she quipped.