Singapore could be at greater risk of haze in the coming week if fires in neighbouring countries persist.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Sunday (9 August) that recent dry conditions have caused the regional hotspot situation to escalate, with hotspots and smoke plumes detected over parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
And unfortunately, the dry weather is not expected to disappear just yet.
Dry Conditions Are Expected to Continue Next Week
According to NEA, dry conditions are expected to continue in the coming week.
The agency said that under the prevailing south-easterly winds, smoke haze from regional fires could be carried towards Singapore, particularly from hotspots in southern Sumatra.
As of 1pm on 9 August, Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) had reached 81 in the central region.
That is still within the Moderate range.
For context, a PSI reading of between 0 and 50 is considered Good, while 51 to 100 is Moderate. It becomes Unhealthy once it goes above 100.
So, a reading of 81 does not mean Singapore is experiencing unhealthy air quality, but authorities are keeping a close eye on what happens next.
Hotspots and Smoke Have Been Detected in the Region
The situation around us has become more concerning after several days of dry weather.
As of the evening of 9 August, clusters of scattered to widespread hotspots had been detected in West Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, according to the regional haze situation update published by NEA.
Moderate to dense smoke plumes were also observed over parts of Kalimantan and Sumatra.
In West Kalimantan, some of that smoke had been drifting northwards into western Sarawak, where some air quality stations had recorded Unhealthy readings.
The full extent of the hotspot situation could not be determined because cloud cover can prevent satellites from detecting some hotspots.
Over the next few days, dry conditions are forecast to continue across many parts of southern ASEAN, which means hotspot and smoke activity could worsen in fire-prone areas.
ASEAN Has Already Raised Its Haze Alert Level
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) raised the southern ASEAN region’s haze alert to Level 2 on 3 August.
Level 2 means there is an increasing risk of transboundary haze in the region. It is triggered by factors such as escalating hotspot activity, persistent dry weather and moderate to dense smoke haze.
This does not mean Singapore is already experiencing severe haze.
ASMC has three escalating alert levels above Level 0, with Level 3 representing a high risk of severe transboundary haze.
The Level 2 alert came after satellite observations found moderate smoke haze coming from hotspot clusters in western and southern Kalimantan, along with smoke plumes from southern Sumatra.
El Niño Is Making This Dry Season More Concerning
There is another reason authorities have been warning about haze risk this year: El Niño.
ASMC said in its August to October outlook that El Niño conditions are now present and are expected to strengthen over the coming months.
El Niño generally increases the chance of below-normal rainfall in southern ASEAN during this period.
With less rain, vegetation and peatlands can become drier, creating conditions that allow fires to start and spread more easily.
Back in May, the Meteorological Service Singapore had already warned that El Niño, together with the possible development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, could make the 2026 dry season more intense and prolonged than in recent years.
The usual dry season around Singapore takes place during the Southwest Monsoon from June to September, although this year’s drier conditions could extend into October.
Singapore’s Haze Task Force Is Ready
If Singapore’s 24-hour PSI goes above 100 and enters the Unhealthy range, NEA said it will start issuing daily haze advisories.
These will include a forecast of the 24-hour PSI so that people and organisations can plan activities for the following day.
Singapore’s Haze Task Force, which comprises 28 public agencies and is chaired by NEA, is also ready to activate its haze action plans if air quality deteriorates.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu told Parliament on 5 August that Singapore’s national mask stockpiles were sufficient.
She also said schools, preschools, and residential and care facilities were equipped with air purifiers.
For activities over the next few hours, NEA recommends looking at the one-hour PM2.5 reading, rather than relying only on the 24-hour PSI.
For plans involving the following day, the 24-hour PSI forecast and its accompanying health advisory are more useful.
NEA said it will continue monitoring the regional haze situation and provide further updates if conditions change.
