Smoke haze from Kalimantan could drift towards Singapore again from Tuesday night (20 October) through Thursday (22 October), even as air quality improved on Monday.
In its Monday evening advisory, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said winds were likely to shift during that period, with dry weather expected over the surrounding region, including parts of Kalimantan. These conditions could carry smoke from fires there towards Singapore.
Tuesday’s PSI Forecast At 90 To 160
NEA forecasts Tuesday’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) at 90 to 160, covering the Moderate to Unhealthy ranges.
Showers are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region on Tuesday. Winds blowing from the south-southeast may reduce the amount of smoke reaching Singapore from Kalimantan, although some haze from Sumatra could still drift towards the island.
From Tuesday night, winds are likely to turn east-southeasterly, potentially bringing Kalimantan smoke towards Singapore again.
Monday’s Improvement Was Uneven
Air quality improved on Monday as winds changed direction and showers fell nearby, NEA said.
By noon, one-hour PM2.5 readings had fallen into the Normal band across all five regions. However, readings subsequently returned to the Elevated band in the north, west and central regions.
At 6pm, one-hour PM2.5 readings ranged from 51 to 79 micrograms per cubic metre, spanning the Normal and Elevated bands. NEA’s advisory recorded a 24-hour PSI range of 88 to 114, from Moderate to Unhealthy.
Which Reading Should You Check?
NEA advises using the next day’s PSI forecast and corresponding health guidance to plan outdoor activities. For immediate outdoor activities, check the one-hour PM2.5 readings and activity guide on haze.gov.sg or the myENV app.
For Tuesday, its advisory recommends that healthy people reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Older people, pregnant women and children should minimise such exertion, while people with chronic heart or lung disease should avoid it.
