More thundery showers expected for rest of May, temperature to reach 35°C on some days: Met Service
SINGAPORE — More showers are expected for the rest of May, bringing some respite to the hot weather experienced in the first half of the month, the Meteorological Service Singapore said.
However, the temperature on some days could still reach a high of around 35°C.
In its fortnightly outlook on Tuesday (May 16), the weather agency said that widespread thundery showers will be expected on most days in the second half of May, accompanied by gusty winds between the pre-dawn and morning hours on several days.
This is due to the Sumatra squalls — an organised line of thunderstorm developing over Sumatra in Indonesia or the Straits of Malacca — which is common during the southwest monsoon season that typically lasts from June to early October.
Inter-monsoon conditions arise in the transition period between the northeast monsoon from December to March and the southwest monsoon season. These conditions are expected to prevail over Singapore and the surrounding region, bringing low-level winds.
Overall, near-average to above-average rainfall is expected for the second half of the month, and the total rainfall for May is likely to be near average over most parts of the island, the Met Service said.
With showers expected on most days, the temperatures are not likely to be as high as the first half of the month.
The daily maximum temperature is forecast to range between 33°C and 34°C.
Some warm and humid nights are also expected, due to prevailing winds from the southeast or south, blowing warm and humid air from the sea to the island.
The minimum temperature on these nights may reach 28°C, particularly over the southern and eastern coastal areas of the island.
In its review of the first half of May, the agency said that the maximum temperature went above 34°C on most days, with eight days that registered temperatures of 35°C or higher.
The highest temperature of 37°C, which was the year’s warmest so far, was recorded at Ang Mo Kio on May 13, due to light winds, as well as dry and clear sky conditions.
This is the highest daily maximum temperature reading in Singapore since 1983, with the last highest daily maximum temperature recorded at 37°C in Tengah on April 17, 1983.
