May was second warmest on record

SINGAPORE – Last month saw Singapore experiencing its second warmest May since record keeping began in 1929. The mean monthly temperature for May was 29.3°C, which is 1°C warmer than the long-term mean temperature for the month, according to a statement from the Meteorological Service Singapore on Wednesday (June 1).

Last month’s mean temperature tied with May 1997 for joint second place. The record for May is 29.4°C which was recorded in 1998.

June is the start of the Southwest monsoon season which is likely to extend to September and early October, noted the MSS statement.

Over the next two weeks, the Met Service forecasts short thundery showers in the late morning and early afternoon on five to seven days due to strong solar heating of land areas and convergence of winds in the surrounding vicinity. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls are likely on one or two days in the pre-dawn and morning period.

Rainfall is expected to be slightly below average.

The daily maximum temperatures is expected to be between 32°C and 33°C on most days, and could hit 34°C on a few days. During this season, the nights can be relatively warm, in particular on non-rain days, noted the statement. This usually occurs when the winds are light and blow from the southeast, bringing in warm, humid air from the sea toward the land, it said.

With the weakening of El Nino to neutral conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, close to normal rainfall and temperatures can be expected for Singapore in the next one or two months, said MSS. “However international climate centres forecast that a La Nina could develop in the later part of the year, and this usually brings above average rainfall to our surrounding region,” said the statement.