Climate in Singapore

The climate in Singapore is equatorial, ie hot, humid, and rainy throughout the year.
The country, which is at the same time an island (located south of the Malay Peninsula), a city, and a state, is actually at the Equator, in an area where there are always the conditions for the formation of showers and thunderstorms.
Although the climate is fairly uniform, there are some variations in the course of the year due to the two monsoons: the north-east one, which occurs from November to early March and is more rainy, especially in the first part, and the south-west one, which occurs from June to September. The first period between the two monsoon, from March to early June, is the hottest and the most unpleasant of the year.

The climate in detail

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• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Sunshine
• Sea temperature
• Cyclones
• When to go
• What to pack

Temperature

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Temperatures in Singapore are quite uniform, however, there is a slightly cooler period in December and January and a slightly warmer period from March to June.

Even the records are close to the averages. From 1991 to 2020, the coldest record was 20.2 °C (68.4 °F), set in March 2000. During the day, on the other hand, the temperature typically reaches 33 °C (91.5 °F) most of the year and 34 °C (93 °F) from March to May. From 1991 to 2020, the record is 36 °C (97 °F), set in March 1998.
However, the weather is constantly hot and muggy, in fact, relative humidity doesn't usually go below 70% even in the warmest hours. If you add to this the urban heat island effect, which is typical of big cities, a phenomenon whereby the heat remains trapped between streets and buildings even at night, you will understand how the climate of Singapore is not pleasant for those who are not used to it.
The sea breeze can relieve a little the heat in the harbor area and in the neighbourhoods along the coast. Apart from the breeze, there can be some wind only in January, February and March, ie in the second part of the northeast monsoon. For the rest, heat and flat calm dominate, at least within the city.
Fortunately, buildings and means of transportation are equipped with air conditioning (which, however, can cause sudden changes in temperature, from which you can defend yourself with a pashmina or a light sweater).
When going outdoors, it is advisable to take an umbrella or a light raincoat that does not make you feel the heat, even though there are many covered footpaths and walkways, in order to protect passers-by from the rain.

Rainfall

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Throughout the year, about 2,100 millimeters (83 inches) of rain fall. All year round, sudden thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon or early evening, which are somewhat less frequent in February. In addition to these showers and thunderstorms, we must add the rains of the two monsoon periods.

From November to early January, the wettest period, the northeast monsoon brings widespread and lasting rainfall.
In contrast, in the period of the south-west monsoon (from June to September), the so-called Sumatra squalls can occur: they are occasional thunderstorms, accompanied by wind gusts, which occur in the pre-dawn hours or in the morning, and are caused by a squall line coming from the island of Sumatra. On the other hand, in this period, there can be short thunderstorms in the afternoon.
In addition to thunderstorms, during the period of the south-west monsoon, from the island of Sumatra, even clouds of smoke and haze caused by forest fires may arrive, which, in the worst occasions, can create a pall of unhealthy air, which can be dangerous for the population. In general, this can happen until mid-October.

Sunshine

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The amount of sunshine in Singapore is not very good, in fact, there are about 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. There is an average of 5 or 6 hours of sunshine per day for most of the year.

The least sunny months are the wettest ones, November and December, with 4 hours of sunshine per day, while the sunniest is the driest, February, with 6,5 hours.
We remind that the day at the Equator lasts 12 hours throughout the year. However, the equatorial sun is very strong, so you have to be careful even on cloudy days.

Sea temperature

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Singapore is not exactly a destination for beach tourism, however, the sea is warm all year round. In fact, the water temperature ranges from 28 °C (82.5 °F) in January and February, to 30 °C (86 °F) in May and June.

Tropical cyclones

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Being at the Equator, Singapore should be sheltered from tropical cyclones (called typhoons in the western Pacific). Very rarely, however, a cyclone can be formed at particularly low latitudes, as happened with Tropical Storm Vamei between Christmas and New Year of 2001. Otherwise, the city can be marginally affected by cyclones passing over the area to the north.
The cyclone and typhoon season lasts from May to December, with a peak of likelihood just in December, however, since the sea in this area is always warm, tropical storms can in theory occur in any season.

When to go

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Although there is no big difference between the periods, the best month to visit Singapore is probably February: it is the sunniest, and there are "only" 9 days with rain on average.
November and December are among the cooler months, but they are also the wettest: it rains almost every day, and sometimes, the rain lasts more than in the other seasons.
January and February, in the second part of the "winter" monsoon, are less rainy, and in any case, they are not as muggy as March, April and May, also because they are the only months when there is a bit of wind.

What to pack

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All year round: bring tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothing, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt and pashmina for airconditioned places, and a light raincoat or umbrella.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.

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