Air Quality Forecast
The 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings over the next 24 hours are expected to be in Band I (Normal) and Band II (Elevated). Overall, the PSI for the next 24 hours is forecast to be in the high end of the Moderate range. Depending on wind conditions, the PSI may enter the Unhealthy range if the haze situation in Sumatra persists or worsens.
Health Advisory
Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.
Refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 for immediate activities, and the 24-hr PSI forecast to plan ahead.
Singapore, 10 September 2019 – Singapore continued to experience slight hazy conditions today due to smoke haze from Sumatra being blown in by the prevailing winds. The hazy conditions are expected to persist and the prevailing winds are forecast to blow mainly from the south or southeast for the rest of the day. As at 7pm, the 24-hr PSI was 86 - 96, in the Moderate range, and the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 26 - 43 µg/m3, in Band I (Normal).
2 Dry weather continued to prevail in most parts of the region, including Sumatra and Kalimantan. A total of 537 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, a sharp increase from 380 yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze continued to emanate from persistent hotspots in Riau and Jambi provinces. Some of the haze has been blown by the prevailing winds to affect several states in Peninsular Malaysia. Widespread smoke haze has also been observed over many parts of Kalimantan, where 749 hotspots were detected today.
3 For the next few days, the weather over Sumatra is expected to remain dry and the haze situation there is expected to persist. The prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southeast or south, and Singapore may continue to experience hazy conditions. For the next 24 hours, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings are expected to range between Band I (Normal) and Band II (Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI is forecast to be in the high end of the Moderate range, and, depending on wind conditions, may enter the Unhealthy range if the haze situation in Sumatra persists or worsens.
4 NEA is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates when necessary.
5 The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. When the PSI is in the Unhealthy range, reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.
6 Air quality indicators and health advisories during periods of transboundary haze refer primarily to the 24-hour PSI. There are no accompanying health advisories for any other air quality indicators. In addition, the main air pollutant during the haze season is PM2.5. Hence, the 1-hour PM2.5 concentration readings are a good indicator of the current air quality. Use this for immediate activities like going for a jog.
7 For updates, visit our NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), the haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), mobile apps (myEnv and Weather@SG) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg).
- End -