Singapore has experienced several weeks of intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 34°C multiple times over the past month. On April 1, the temperature reached a sweltering 36.8°C in Admiralty, just shy of the nation’s all-time record of 36.9°C set in 1983. Despite the scorching conditions, weather experts note that Singapore is not currently experiencing a heatwave, which is defined as three consecutive days with maximum temperatures above 35°C and an average daily temperature of at least 29°C.
The National Environment Agency’s Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) explained that April and May are typically warmer due to inter-monsoon conditions, characterized by strong solar heating and light winds. This week’s temperatures hit 35.6°C at Paya Lebar and Marina Barrage on Tuesday.
While recent La Niña weather patterns usually bring cooler conditions, the current warm spell reflects the ongoing effects of climate change. Experts like Professor Koh Tieh Yong from the Singapore University of Social Sciences expect rising temperatures to become more frequent, with the number of heatwaves likely increasing in the coming decades.
The urban heat island effect, where urban structures trap and release heat, is exacerbating Singapore’s warming, which is now trending 1.8°C higher than it was in 1948. Global temperatures, by contrast, have risen about 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era.
With higher temperatures on the horizon, scientists advise the public to take precautions, such as wearing lightweight clothing, staying hydrated, and avoiding direct sunlight during outdoor activities.