Singapore, 1 June 2023 – Low-level winds over Singapore and the surrounding region are forecast to strengthen and blow from the southeast or southwest in early June 2023, as the Southwest Monsoon progressively sets in over the region. The Southwest Monsoon season typically extends into September and is generally a drier season compared to other times of the year.

2        In the first fortnight of June 2023, localised short-duration thundery showers can be expected over parts of the island on some afternoons. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds between the pre-dawn and morning on a few days. The total rainfall for the first half of June 2023 is likely to be near average over most parts of the island.

3        The daily maximum temperature in the next fortnight is forecast to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On one or two days when there is less cloud cover, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 35 degrees Celsius. The nights are also expected to be warm and humid. Warm nights typically occur when the prevailing winds blow from the southeast or south and bring warm, humid air from the sea. On these nights, the temperatures may stay above 29 degrees Celsius, particularly over the southern and eastern coastal areas of the island.

4        For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW (1 – 31 May 2023)

5        Inter-monsoon conditions prevailed in May 2023 with the prevailing winds generally light and variable in direction.

6        Localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on several days in May 2023. There were a few days when Sumatra squalls brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over the island in the morning. On 4 May 2023, strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised convergence of winds led to the development of thundery showers over most parts of Singapore in the afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 113.2 mm which fell at Paya Lebar that day was the highest rainfall recorded for May 2023.

7        May 2023 was warm, with maximum temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius on most days. There were nine days in May registering temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or more. Most of these days occurred in the first half of the month. It was especially warm in the second week of May 2023 when light winds and clear sky conditions resulted in high temperatures across many parts of Singapore. Warm night-time temperatures were also experienced during the second half of the month when the temperatures stayed above 29.0 degrees Celsius on some days.

8         On 13 May 2023, several locations recorded temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperature of 37.0 degrees Celsius measured at Ang Mo Kio. This temperature reading ties with the record for highest daily maximum temperature in Singapore (last recorded at Tengah on 17 April 1983) since temperature records started in 1929. On 25 May 2023, the daily minimum temperature recorded at the East Coast Parkway station reached a high of 29.7 degrees Celsius, the highest recorded for the month of May. The previous record was 29.5 degrees Celsius registered at the same station on 18 May 2022. At the Changi climate station, the mean temperature for May 2023 was 29.5 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record high of 29.4 degrees Celsius set in May 1998. 

9          Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in May 2023. Paya Lebar recorded rainfall of nine per cent above average, and Punggol recorded rainfall of 64 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for June (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.9		°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.7		°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.5		°C
Average rainfall:	135.3		mm
Average number of rain days:	13
Historical Extremes for June (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.2	°C (1997)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.2		°C (1965)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	378.7		mm (1954)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	21.8		mm (2009)

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