Air Quality Forecast
The 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings over the next 24 hours are expected to range between Band I (Normal) and Band II (Elevated). The PSI for the next 24 hours is forecast to be in the Moderate range, and may enter the Unhealthy range if the winds turn unfavourable and the haze situation in Sumatra persists.
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, 12 September 2019 – It has been slightly hazy in Singapore today. The haziness is due to smoke haze from hotspots in central and southern Sumatra being blown in by the prevailing winds. For the rest of today, the slightly hazy conditions are expected to continue, and the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southeast or south. As at 7pm, the 24-hr PSI was 75 - 87, in the Moderate range, and the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 37 - 63 µg/m3, in Band I (Normal) and the low end of Band II (Elevated).
2 The weather remained generally dry in the region, including Sumatra and Kalimantan. A total of 222 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, mostly in the provinces of Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra. Moderate to dense smoke haze continued to emanate from persistent hotspots there. Some haze has been blown by the prevailing winds across the Strait of Malacca to affect Singapore and some parts of Peninsular Malaysia. In Kalimantan, a total of 1,264 hotspots were detected today, and widespread haze continue to be observed there.
3 For the next few days, some showers are expected for Singapore, while the weather over Sumatra and Kalimantan is forecast to remain generally dry. The prevailing winds are forecast to shift to blow from the southwest or south, and this may bring increased haziness to Singapore. For the next 24 hours, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings are expected to range between Band I (Normal) and Band II (Elevated). The 24-hr PSI is forecast to be in the Moderate range, and may enter the Unhealthy range if the winds turn unfavourable and the haze situation in Sumatra persists.
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). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at asmc.asean.org.
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