Several warm days expected in first half of October: NEA

Channel NewsAsia 30 Sep 16;

SINGAPORE: The first half of October is likely to see a few warm days, similar to the temperatures seen in the last week of September, said the National Environment Agency in an advisory on Friday (Sep 30).

During this period, the daily maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 33°C and 34°C on most days and could reach a high of around 35°C on a few days, the agency said.

Short-duration thunderstorms are also expected in the first half of October on four to six days, mostly in the late morning and afternoon. In addition, widespread thunderstorms with occasional gusty winds are expected on two to three days between the pre-dawn hours and morning.

Rainfall for the first fortnight of October is expected be slightly below normal, said NEA.

The agency noted that Singapore saw a few warm days, particularly in the last week of September.

On Sep 29, Changi climate station logged the highest ever recorded daily maximum temperature for September - 34.4°C. The previous record for September was 34.3°C on Sep 15, 2000.

September also saw thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds on several days, mostly in the early hours, said NEA. Rainfall was heaviest on Sep 14 over the Paya Lebar-MacPherson area, where a total of 86.6mm of rainfall was recorded.

The agency said that most parts of Singapore received slightly below normal rainfall in September 2016. The highest rainfall of 216.4mm – 23 per cent above average - was recorded around the Telok Blangah area. Rainfall was lowest around Mandai where 86.4mm – 57 per cent below average - was recorded.

- CNA/ek