3-hour PSI reading creeps into unhealthy range

SINGAPORE — The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) tipped into the unhealthy range at 102 at 8pm after staying in the moderate range for most of today (Sept 17).

The 24-hour PSI reading across Singapore was 62-66 as at 8pm, in the moderate range.

Hazy conditions are expected for tonight, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in its haze update.

Source: www.haze.gov.sg

It was “slightly hazy” over some parts of Singapore late this afternoon, likely due to smoke haze from the surrounding region, blown in by the prevailing winds.

A total of 23 hotspots were detected in Sumatra today, but the NEA said the low count was due to cloud cover over parts of the island. Smoke haze was visible over the southern half of Sumatra.

Hotspot activities in Kalimantan have also escalated in recent days, said the NEA, with 139 hotspots detected today. “Widespread thick smoke haze was observed in southern and western parts of Kalimantan. Some of the haze has spread to the southern parts of the South China Sea,” said the advisory.

Source: www.haze.gov.sg

Tomorrow, there may be “occasional slight haziness” during the day. The overall air quality for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the high-end of the moderate range but may creep into the low end of the unhealthy range from time to time.

Prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the east or south-east, and thundery showers are forecast in the late morning and early afternoon.

For updates, visit www.nea.gov.sg or www.haze.gov.sg.