In a welcome respite for Singaporeans, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has decided to cease its daily haze advisories from October 24th, given the marked improvement in air quality and an upcoming forecast of increased rainfall. This move comes in light of favorable meteorological conditions, reducing the risk of transboundary haze for the remaining months of the year.
A Breath of Fresh Air
NEA’s recent media release highlighted the significant decline in the probability of transboundary haze affecting Singapore for the rest of 2023. Supporting this optimistic forecast, the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has further eased concerns by downgrading the haze alert level for the southern Southeast Asia region from Level 2, which signals a potential risk of transboundary haze, to Level 1, typically associated with the dry season.
Rainy Respite
Singapore and its neighboring regions have enjoyed a series of showers over the past week, contributing to clearer skies and enhanced air quality. The NEA noted that hotspot counts in Sumatra have stabilized, and no significant transboundary haze incidents have been observed in recent times.
With the onset of the inter-monsoon season by the end of October 2023, wetter conditions are anticipated for the region. This climatic transition is expected to bring in even more rain, coupled with light and sporadic winds, throughout November and December.
Stay Updated, Stay Informed
While the halt in advisories is undoubtedly good news, the NEA remains vigilant, affirming that it will resume the daily updates if the situation warrants it. The decision to commence daily advisories earlier in October was prompted by Singapore’s air quality dropping to unhealthy levels for the first time since 2019. Thankfully, consistent rainfall since then has significantly reduced haze occurrences.
For those keen on staying updated about air quality and related alerts, NEA’s haze microsite and the myENV mobile app are reliable sources of information. Additionally, data regarding hotspot distributions in the region over the past two weeks is accessible via the ASMC website.
In conclusion, the upcoming months look promising for Singapore and its neighbors as they bid goodbye to the haze and welcome clearer, rain-washed skies.
Also learn about Singapore Sees Relief from Haze Thanks to Rainy Conditions.
