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Weather and Climate in Singapore at One Glance
Due to Singapore’s geo-strategic significance and maritime exposure, its climate is characterized by uniform temperature, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Besides staying indoors, people in Singapore enjoyed the comfort of air-conditioned accommodation, shopping malls, public transportations, and other establishments. Due to sweltering heat and high temperature, locals also tend to limit their level of exertion and time spent outdoors to preserve their energy.
The weather and Climate in Singapore conditions are always warm, with average temperatures of around 32°C throughout the day and 25°C at night during the wet season. And 33°C all around the day and 26°C at night during the dry season. There is only a little distinction between the two seasons, with a slight disparity in temperatures.
Even at night, the high temperatures and humidity in the country are a bit uncomfortable to everyone, especially to unaccustomed visitors. That is why locals themselves dislike the heat to find relief. Air-conditioning is used almost everywhere. Although Singapore has this kind of weather and climate, most importantly, it is free from natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons.
However, according to SG Weather, a torrential downpour is the reason why the country experienced the occasional occurrence of flash floods in low-lying areas.
Singapore Geography
Singapore is an economic giant city-state located in Southeast Asia in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula. The country has a total area of 725.7 km² and is one of the world’s smallest countries. The country comprises one main island and over 64 surrounding islets like Jurong, Tekong, Sentosa, and Senang.
Pulau Ujong, the mainland of Singapore, has hilly terrains, where the west and southwest are a series of low ridges. While the east and southeast parts are generally flat, statically, the country is home to over 5.8 million people. Singapore is also brimming with large numbers of narrow streams. And since there were no significant lakes or rivers in the country, water reservoirs now surrounded the central area.
Bukit Timah is the peak point of Singapore with an altitude of about 166 meters, and the Strait of Singapore is the base. Since the country is situated one-and-a-half degrees north of the equator, it is among Asia’s tropical countries. Weather and Climate in Singapore conditions typically have been affected by the tropical climate bringing abundant rainfalls. However, it has no clear-cut seasons.
Monsoon Characteristics
Singapore has no definite wet and dry season, and rainfall can be experienced once a month, typically in the afternoon and early evening. Nevertheless, there are two main monsoon seasons in the country, the Northeast Monsoon (wet phase) and the Southwest Monsoon (dry phase). These monsoon seasons can be defined by the relative frequency and occurrence of rainfalls, which is determined by the maritime tropical air masses.
According to the National Environment Agency in Singapore, November has the highest rain days, and February has the lowest. Records stated that the country accumulated an average rainfall of 2342.2 mm a year.
What Is the Difference Between Northeast and Southwest Monsoons?
Northeast Monsoon
Substantially, Northeast Monsoon every December and January are expected to have continuous moderate to heavy rainfall in the afternoons and early evenings. And February and March usually had a cool and dry season with relatively little to no rain. Inclement weather conditions can be experienced during November to March, with rainfall reaching an average of more than 250 mm monthly high in December.
Southwest Monsoon
On the contrary, Southwest Monsoon from May to September is the dry season period, having the minor rainfalls and lightest winds. Rain showers and thunderstorms are common during midday in this season, dropping the rainfall average to less than 7 inches in July. Thunderstorms usually last for half an hour, and squall lines are usually experienced at night over Sumatra and hit Singapore early in the morning. Forest fires are also prevalent in Singapore because of the dry weather and southwesterly winds that sometimes caused the country to engulf in the smoke haze.
Inter-monsoon
Inter-monsoon is the period that separates the two seasons, ordinarily during April to May and October to November. It is characterized by static air movements and heavy afternoon rainfalls and thunderstorms. The period of May-July is usually dry and hot, while November-January frequently has showery precipitation.
Flooding in Singapore
Singapore is inundated by a series of floods every year caused by the combination of rainfalls, drainage problems, and high tides. Because the country has a tropical climate, it receives abundant rainfall for about 300 mm each month every November and December. Altogether, 178 rainfall days in Singapore can accumulate an average of about 2,340 mm annually.
Monsoon surges often bring about torrential downpours, which in turn cause floods that had been known to rise to chest level. Floods in Singapore were exacerbated by the high tides, such as floods in June 2019 and November 2020. Flash floods are the most frequent floods in the country. However, it also had experienced major floods that resulted in widespread devastation.
Alleviation of Flooding
In Singapore, to combat the problem and reduce the risks of floods, the Public Works Department (PWD) improved the drainage system. This marked the most effective and coordinated effort to alleviate the flooding. Flood prevention projects were also implemented in several residential areas, especially those in low-lying areas, to mitigate the flood risk. The tasks involved the construction of tidal gates and drain, the widening of the drainage network, and the raising of roads in flood-prone areas.
Temperature
The average temperature in Singapore ranges from 25°C to 31°C with recurrent rainfalls and thunderstorms. Even though the country has no clear season like any other tropical country in Asia, Weather and Climate in Singapore are quite definite and remarkable. Just think of April as the cosy month, while November as the soaked month, and January as the frigid month.
Given that the location of the country is in the equatorial region, the weather and climate are mirrored by high temperatures and constant precipitation. Since 1929, the highest temperature ever recorded was 36°C on March 26, 1998, and the lowest temperature was 19.4°C on January 27, 1934. Whatever, due to the constant humidity and maritime location of Singapore, the temperatures are relatively moderate.
Humidity
High humidity in Singapore is caused by excessive rainfall and maritime exposure. According to the National Environment Agency, 84.2% is the average relative humidity in Singapore. The humidity varies from more than 90% in the morning and falls to around 60% in the afternoon during the dry season. During the rainy season, the level of humidity in Singapore is expected to rise to 100%.
Type of Clothing to Wear
Considering the weather and climate in Singapore, it is preferable to wear light, cotton clothing. People in Singapore usually wear simple and comfortable clothing convenient for the cosy and warm weather conditions. Not wearing a coat during business engagements is not considered rude because of the high humidity in the area.
When going outdoors, umbrellas and raincoats are a must since the weather is very unpredictable. Additionally, you would find sheltered pathways and walkways everywhere to protect you from the scorching heat and rain along the way. The National Environment Agency can always be relied upon to provide factual weather updates in Singapore, so always check it out.
Key Facts and Additional Trivia
- Location – Southeast Asia
- Geolocation – 1.3521° North, 103.8198° East
- Official name – Republic of Singapore
- Area 725.7 km²
- Area comparison – 3.5 times larger than the size of Washington DC, USA
- Total population – 5,995,991
- Coastline – 193 km
- Maritime claims – Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); coastal waters not exceeding 12 nm and exclusive fishing zone
- Climate – tropical climate: hot and humid; rainy
- Terrain – low lying; rounded hills; natural reservoirs, and watershed areas
- The extremity of elevation – peak point: Bukit Timah; base point: Singapore Strait
- Natural resources – fish, deep-water petroleum, and minerals
- Spatial planning – agriculture: 0.93%; housing: 14% industry: 13%, others: 72.07%
- Main rivers – Singapore, Kallang, Gapore, Rochor, Geylang, Sungei Jurong and Sungei Punggol
- Natural hazards – typhoons and floods
- Environmental issues – air, water, and soil pollution; food security; loss of biodiversity and acid rain
- Symbol – Singha or lion
- Geography note – natural tropical environment; sea routes
Singapore Adapting to the Climate
Singapore is a vibrant global city that, regardless of its atmospheric conditions, is more than a scenic destination. The weather, Climate & Season and Climate in Singapore might not be perfect, but it becomes free from the risks of natural disasters with its favourable geographical location. Now, the country is constantly moving forward, renovating, and reconceptualizing itself like a magnet to talent, capital, and business.
