2016 set to be hottest year on record in Singapore: NEA
SINGAPORE — This year is set to be the hottest year on record, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday (Dec 30).
SINGAPORE — This year is set to be the hottest year on record, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday (Dec 30).
According to data recorded at the Changi climate station, the mean annual temperature for this year (as of Dec 29) is 28.4°C — hotter than the previous records of 28.3°C set in 1997, 1998 and 2015.
According to the NEA, the first half of this year saw temperatures soar due to the effects of a very strong El Niño. The year also saw January, April and August hit new higest monthly records since 1929, when Singapore started recording temperatures. Temperatures also remained well above the long-term average for the rest of the year.
The annual total rainfall recorded this year was also 10 per cent below average. As of Dec 29, the annual total rainfall was 1954mm. Compared to the long-term annual mean of 2166mm (based on reference period 1981-2010). This year’s rainfall though was still higher than the 1267mm rainfall recorded last year, which was the second lowest on record.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in November, 2016 is on track to break the record for the hottest year ever on Earth since measurements began in the 19th century. Global average temperatures this year are likely to be 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, said the WMO, boosted by the El Nino weather event.
WMO said 16 of the 17 hottest years have occurred this century, with the only exception being 1998, which was also an El Nino year.