Singapore Friday sermons shortened due to hot weather and haze

The daily maximum temperatures in the second fortnight of August are likely to range between 33 deg C and 34 deg C on most days, said the weatherman in its fortnightly forecast on Aug 17.

On a few days, the daily maximum temperature may reach a high of 35 deg C.

Most nights are expected be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 27 deg C.

Dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days, with hot spots and smoke plumes observed in the surrounding region, the Meteorological Service Singapore had said.

These have been seen mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan.

With the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify, the Met Service added.

As at 2pm on Aug 21, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) across Singapore ranged between 60 and 74, which is in the moderate range, according to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) website.

Air quality enters the unhealthy range when the 24-hour PSI, derived from the 24-hour average concentration levels of six pollutants, exceeds 100.

The one-hour PM2.5 readings ranged between 23 and 42 – within the normal band – as at 2pm, according to NEA’s website.

The one-hour readings are a key indicator of current air quality during transboundary haze periods.

They reflect the average concentration of fine particulate matter over the past hour and can fluctuate throughout the day based on weather conditions.