Channel NewsAsia 16 Aug 19;
SINGAPORE: Singapore is experiencing its first dry spell in more than 5 years, according to a Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) advisory on Friday (Aug 16).
A dry spell is defined by MSS as a period of at least 15 consecutive days with daily total rainfall of less than 1mm, averaged over rainfall stations with long-term records across the island.
Singapore has been experiencing a dry spell since Jul 31, the advisory read. The last recorded dry spell lasted 27 days, from Feb 17, 2014 to Mar 15, 2014.
From Jul 31 to Aug 15, about 90 per cent of all stations islandwide recorded daily rainfall of below 0.2mm, with brief localised showers on some days.
The extended dry weather was due to an intrusion of dry air from the Southern Hemisphere coupled with suppressed rain clouds due to cooler sea surface temperatures over the tropical eastern Indian Ocean, said MSS.
This contributed to a "very warm" first half of August, with daily maximum temperatures ranging between 31.9 degrees Celsius and 34.5 degrees Celsius.
The highest temperature of 34.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Marina Barrage on Aug 13.
Nights were generally warm, with daily minimum temperatures of above 26 degrees Celsius over most parts of Singapore. There were also a few nights where the temperature remained around 28 degrees Celsius in the southern and eastern coastal areas of Singapore.
"In the first fortnight of August 2019, significantly below-average rainfall was recorded at all stations across the island," the service added.
EXPECT DRY CONDITIONS TO EASE
However, a respite is expected towards the last week of August, with MSS forecasting more rain.
"With thundery showers expected in the late morning and early afternoon on four to five days toward the last week of August 2019, the showers will bring some respite to the current dry spell," said MSS.
Dry conditions can be expected on most days for the second half of August, as dry air from high pressure systems over northern Australia extends to the equatorial region.
Some days could see breezy conditions due to the occasional strengthening of winds over the region, according to MSS.
Rainfall for August is expected to be "significantly below normal", it added.
The rest of the month is expected to be warm, with daily temperatures of between 26 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius forecast for most days.
Highs of around 35 degrees Celsius can be expected on a few days, while some nights will see their minimum temperatures hovering around 28 degrees Celsius.
Dry weather in the surrounding region is forecast to persist, said MSS, warning of occasional haze due to hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
"Hotspots with smoke plumes continue to be observed in various parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan," it said. "Depending on the direction of the prevailing winds and location of the fires, Singapore may experience occasional haze."
Source: CNA/nc(mi)
Singapore's dry spell expected to ease with thundery showers on some days in next 2 weeks
Malavika Menon Straits Times 16 Aug 19;
SINGAPORE - The Republic can expect some respite from the dry weather, with thundery showers expected in the late morning and early afternoon on four to five days towards the last week of August.
On some days, breezy conditions can be expected due to the occasional strengthening of winds over the equatorial region, said the weatherman on Friday (Aug 16).
Despite the occasional rain, dry conditions are still expected on most days in the second fortnight of August as dry air from high pressure systems over northern Australia extends to the equatorial region.
Singapore has been experiencing a dry spell since July 31 and rainfall for August is expected to be "significantly below normal", said Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).
The last recorded dry spell in Singapore was in 2014, and it lasted 27 days from Feb 17 to March 15 that year.
A dry spell is defined as a period of at least 15 consecutive days with daily total rainfall of less than 1mm.
MSS said that the rest of August is expected to be warm, with daily temperature expected to range between 26 deg C and 34 deg C, with highs of around 35 deg C on a few days.
When prevailing winds from the south-east bring in warm and humid air from the surrounding seas, the minimum temperatures on some nights can be around 28 deg C.
The prevailing south-west monsoon conditions are forecast to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region for the rest of the month, and extend into October.
During this period, the prevailing winds are forecast to blow mostly from the south-east or south-west.
MSS added that the dry weather is expected to persist in Singapore's surrounding region, as hot spots with smoke plumes continue to be observed in various parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
"Depending on the direction of the prevailing winds and location of the fires, Singapore may experience occasional haze," it said.
In a separate haze update on Friday, the National Environment Agency said that while there was mild morning haze in eastern Singapore on Friday (Aug 16), the weather is expected to be fair with occasionally windy conditions on Saturday.
