Short, thundery showers expected over SG50 weekend

SINGAPORE  — It may be wise to bring along an umbrella while out celebrating National Day next weekend, as short-duration, thundery showers in the late morning and early afternoon are expected.

The public can also expect maximum temperatures of 34°C in the second week of this month, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said today (July 31).

Next week, short thundery showers are likely to occur on four to six days, mostly in the late morning and early afternoon. In addition, thundery showers with gusty winds, which are  due to Sumatra squalls — an organised line of thunderstorms that develop over Sumatra or the Strait of Malacca travelling eastwards across Singapore — can be expected on two or three days in the morning, said the NEA.

South-west monsoon conditions are set to prevail over the next fortnight, with low-level winds blowing predominantly from south-east or south-south-west. The rainfall over this period is likely to be near normal.

Slight haze conditions can be expected on a few days, especially in the early morning, said the NEA.

Singapore experienced dry and warm conditions on most days last month, although thundery showers in the late morning and early afternoon were seen on several days. Most parts of the island received below-average rainfall last month.