Drier, cooler weather starts earlier this year
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Drier and cooler weather has come earlier this year, as Singapore experiences significantly below average rainfall this month for the second year running.
Below average rainfall is also expected next month, although the dryness is not expected to be of the same degree as the record dry spell last year, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) today (Jan 22).
The total rainfall this month is expected to be about 40-60 per cent below the long-term average of 242.4mm, said the NEA. From Jan 1 to 21, the total rainfall averaged across rainfall stations islandwide was 83.7mm, while rainfall recorded at the Changi climate station was 79.6mm.
This earlier onset of the dry phase of the North-east Monsoon is due in part to stronger winds in the surrounding region, which have “caused an earlier southward shift of the monsoon rain belt away from Singapore”, the NEA added. February is typically one of the driest months of the year.
In November and December last year, total rainfall was 27 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, above the long-term average.
For the rest of this month, expect generally dry and windy conditions with short-duration showers on a few days.
PUB would also like to urge the community and industries to use water wisely and conserve water resources, said the NEA.
