Climate & Weather

Climate & Weather in Singapore

Singapore sits just 137km north of the equator, giving it a consistent tropical climate year-round. There are no seasons in the traditional sense.

Year-Round Conditions

Temperature:

• Daily high: 30-33°C (86-91°F)
• Daily low: 24-26°C (75-79°F)
• Variation throughout year: Minimal

Humidity:

• Average: 83-87%
• Rarely below 70%, even at the hottest times
• Feels muggy, especially outdoors

Sunshine:

• Abundant year-round
• UV index is high—sunscreen recommended

Monsoon Seasons

Singapore has two monsoon seasons with transitional periods:

Northeast Monsoon (Dec - early Mar):

• Wetter period, especially Nov-Jan
• More frequent, longer rain spells
• Slightly cooler (relatively!)
• December typically wettest month

Southwest Monsoon (Jun - Sep):

• Generally drier
• Morning showers common
• Sumatra squalls can bring sudden heavy rain

Inter-monsoon periods (Apr-May, Oct-Nov):

• Variable weather
• Afternoon thunderstorms common
• Oct-Nov can be quite wet

Monthly Breakdown

Rain Patterns

What to expect:

• Rain is frequent but usually short (30-60 mins)
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common
• Morning rain is often heavier and longer
• Rain usually cools things down temporarily
• Umbrella is essential—carry one always

Haze Season

Aug - Oct: Smoke from Indonesian forest fires can affect air quality.

During haze:

• PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) monitored
• N95 masks recommended if PSI exceeds 150
• Stay indoors during severe haze
• Check haze.gov.sg for current readings

Most years: Moderate haze for a few weeks. Some years worse than others.

Living with the Climate

Air Conditioning:

• Essential, not optional
• All malls, offices, public transport are heavily air-conditioned
• Home AC: S$50-150/month in electricity
• Temperature shock between indoors (22-24°C) and outdoors (32°C) is real

What to Wear:

• Light, breathable fabrics
• Bring a light jacket for over-AC environments
• Sandals/flip-flops common casually
• Business attire still expected in offices (AC compensates)

Staying Comfortable:

• Time outdoor activities for early morning or evening
• Stay hydrated—drink more water than you think you need
• Take advantage of covered walkways (many areas have them)
• Shopping malls are social spaces partly because of AC

No Natural Disasters

Singapore is remarkably disaster-free:

• No earthquakes
• No typhoons
• No tsunamis
• Occasional flooding during extreme rain (rare)

The worst "weather disaster" is the haze, which is man-made.

Best Times for Activities

Outdoor activities: Early morning (6-9am) or evening (after 5pm)

Beach days: Year-round (but avoid midday sun)

Hiking: Early morning to avoid heat

Golf: Early tee times preferred

Weather Apps

• NEA Weather: Official Singapore forecast
• myENV: Air quality (PSI readings)
• Weather.gov.sg: Detailed forecasts