Haze in Singapore: PSI reading in central region in ‘very unhealthy’ range

PM2.5 scores from 0 to 55 represent normal values, those between 56 and 150 indicate an elevated concentration of fine particles, while readings between 151 and 250 are considered high and scores above 251 are classified as very high.

The highest PM2.5 reading this haze season was recorded at 3pm on Oct 14 in the western part of the island at 288.

In its daily haze advisory on the evening of Oct 15, the National Environment Agency (NEA) forecast that the 24-hour PSI for Oct 16 would be in the “unhealthy” to “low very unhealthy” range.

NEA said that dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan continued to drift towards Singapore under prevailing south-easterly winds. Smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra.

NEA said some showers are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region on Oct 16, but southern Sumatra and parts of Kalimantan are likely to remain dry. With the winds forecast to be east-south-easterly or south-easterly, smoke haze is likely to continue to be carried from Kalimantan towards Singapore, it added.

Over the weekend, more showers are forecast over Singapore and parts of Kalimantan. Winds are expected to shift to blow from the south-east or south, which could reduce the transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore. Some smoke haze from Sumatra may however still drift towards Singapore, NEA said.