More warm days ahead, with about 36°C expected on a few days, after S'pore's hottest May day on record

SINGAPORE — More warm weather is expected for the rest of May, with temperatures set to reach around 36°C on a few days. Conditions are also expected to be drier than in the first half of the month.

In a weather update on Tuesday (May 17), the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said that over the next fortnight, daily maximum temperatures are expected to range between 34°C and 35°C on most days.

The agency noted that the island has just notched up its hottest May day on record.

“The highest daily maximum temperature of 36.7°C was recorded at Admiralty on May 13. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore in May, surpassing the previous record high of 36.5°C on May 16, 2010 and May 3, 2016.”

Singapore recently recorded its second highest temperature on record for April. That reading of 36.8°C on April 1, also at Admiralty, was within 0.2°C of the all-time high recorded in Tengah on April 17, 1983, The Straits Times reported.

For the rest of May, the nights are also expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures hovering around 28°C.

MSS on Tuesday said that the southwest monsoon season is expected to set in during the coming fortnight, with the winds gradually strengthening and blowing mainly from the southeast or southwest.

The southwest monsoon season typically lasts into September and is a drier period compared to other times of the year.

The weather agency noted that “generally fair and warm weather” can be expected on most days for the rest of the month due to stable atmospheric conditions as well as the presence of dry air over the island and surrounding region.

On some days, localised short-duration showers can be expected over a few parts of the island in the late morning and early afternoon.

“In addition, island-wide thundery showers with occasional gusty winds, due to Sumatra squalls (line of storms), can be expected in the morning on one or two days.

"With below-average rainfall to be expected for the second fortnight, the overall rainfall for May 2022 is expected to be below- to near-average over most parts of Singapore,” MSS said.

In a review of the weather for the first half of the month, MSS said that there were eight days where maximum temperatures of 34°C or more were recorded.

For the daily weather forecast, the public may visit the websites of MSS or the National Environment Agency. They may also download the myENV mobile application.