Hazy conditions expected to continue today

The unhealthy haze that hung over Singapore yesterday is expected to persist overnight, with occasional hazy conditions expected today. The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was over 100 for a good part of yesterday afternoon, reaching 113 at 3pm. Any reading over 100 up to 200 is considered unhealthy. Conditions improved in the evening, with the three-hour PSI reading at 75 as of 8pm — within the moderate range of 50 to 100 — while the 24-hour PSI reading was 87 to 102.

The National Environment Agency yesterday said the haziness was likely due to smoke haze from Sumatra, blown in by the prevailing winds. ‘For tomorrow, the prevailing winds are forecast to be light and variable in direction and we may experience occasional hazy conditions. Thundery showers are expected for Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon.’

The 24-hour PSI for today is expected to be in the high end of the moderate range and the low end of the unhealthy range. The elderly, pregnant women and children are advised to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid such exertion altogether.