Less wet weather and more sunshine expected in next two weeks

Wet and cool weather conditions experienced in the second half of January are likely to ease, with more sunshine expected in the next two weeks, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) reported on Wednesday (Feb 1).

During the first half of February, the daily temperature is expected to range between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius on most days. The temperature may reach around 34 degrees Celsius on a few days where there is less cloud cover.

But the MSS added that the prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to continue into the first half of February, with the low-level winds blowing from the northwest or northeast.

As the monsoon rain band is forecast to remain close to the equatorial region, short-duration thundery showers can still be expected over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on most days, with the showers extending into the evening on some days.

The MSS said that the total rainfall for the first fortnight of February is forecast to be above average over most parts of Singapore.

The second half of January was much wetter compared to the first half of the month due to strong north-easterly winds over the South China sea. The highest daily maximum temperature was below 27 degrees Celsius for four days and the daily minimum temperature dipped below 23 degrees Celsius on nine days in January.

Monsoon surges also brought cool weather in the second half of January, with Singapore experiencing cool and rainy weather from Jan 22 to 25 and from Jan 28 to 29.

The rain was heaviest on Jan 25, with the highest daily total rainfall of 120mm recorded at Changi East. On the same day, the highest daily maximum temperature only reached 25.7 degrees Celsius at East Coast Parkway.

Additionally, a temperature of 22.3 degrees Celsius was recorded on Jan 12, 22, 24 and 25, making it the lowest daily minimum temperature for the month.

Singapore also received near average rainfall in January, with the highest anomaly of 36 per cent recorded at Changi. The anomaly was lowest at Seletar at 20 per cent below average.