S’pore Experienced the Hottest October in 2023, With a Record 36.3°C on a Day

Singapore Hits Record-Breaking 36.3°C in October, Bracing for a Rainy November

As we transition from October to November, the expectation of dry skies seems elusive.

According to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), the initial weeks of November are likely to bring thundery showers, primarily in the afternoons on most days.

This wet weather is a direct consequence of the scorching heat experienced in October.

In fact, Singapore recorded an unprecedented high of 36.3°C during the past month, with the daily maximum temperature surpassing 34°C on 25 days.

October Beat The Highest Temperature Record in History By 0.5°C

This October has outdone the previous highest temperature record by 0.5°C.

9 Oct stands as the hottest day in recorded history for the country. The temperature soared above 35°C across the island, culminating in a record-breaking 36.3°C in Admiralty.

This figure surpasses previous records of 35.7°C, observed on 14 Oct 2001 and 13 Oct 2019.

To put this in perspective, data from Climate Impacts Tracker Asia indicates that since 1900, Singapore’s temperature has risen by 1.1°C.

A 0.5°C increment on the highest recorded temperature is certainly an alarming sign.

Additional Weather Effects Experienced This Year

Singapore, a tropical nation, does not experience the distinct seasons like those enjoyed by countries in the northern hemisphere, who are welcoming autumn with beverages like pumpkin spice lattes.

Yet, this year, the island felt the brunt of heat and humidity waves due, in part, to the El Niño phenomenon – a phase of unusual warming of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean’s surface waters, affecting regional climates.

This warmth has brought disappointment to many who long for cooler days.

The rise in temperatures in October has had a ripple effect, leading to more rainfall. Warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to increased humidity and, subsequently, heavy downpours.

The convergence of the rain band near the equator during the latter half of October has resulted in heavier showers in Singapore, mitigating the haze that plagued the region on the 7th and 8th of the month.

With the Southwest Monsoon drawing to a close and the inter-monsoon period setting in, November is poised to be the wettest month of the year yet again, with an average rainfall forecast of 252.3mm.

Despite predictions of maximum daily temperatures between 33 to 35°C, the expected increase in rainfall could provide a reprieve from the heat. Moreover, lightning activity is also anticipated to be more frequent during this time.

However, for the first half of November, rainfall is expected to be below average. Still, the MSS forecasts that the thundery showers occurring in the afternoon could persist into the evening on certain days.

As Singaporeans brace for a wetter, albeit cooler, November, it’s a reminder of the ever-present fluctuations of our environment and the increasing extremities brought about by climate change.