Rain, heat and weather

Question 1

Does it rain every day in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

It rains on about 171 days a year, roughly every other day, and a day counts as rainy from just 0.2mm. Much of the rain is heavy and comes with thunder, and it falls most often in the afternoon. We'd carry a fold-up umbrella every day and keep indoor plans for after lunch.

Question 2

When is the rainy season in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Singapore has no distinct wet or dry season, but the most rain falls from November to January, and February is the driest month. The Northeast Monsoon runs from December to early March and the Southwest Monsoon from June to September. Late March to May and October to November bring thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening. We'd plan by the hour of the day, since showers turn up in every season.

Question 3

Can it rain all day in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but mainly in December and early January, when monsoon surges bring widespread continuous moderate to heavy rain. Those surges come in the first half of the Northeast Monsoon. The rest of the year, rain tends to arrive as showers and afternoon thunderstorms instead. If a surge sets in, we'd swap the outdoor plans for a gallery or museum day.

Question 4

What time of day does it rain in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Mostly in the afternoon and early evening, when the sun's heat builds thunderstorms. From June to September, Sumatra squalls can also bring gusty thundery showers between the pre-dawn hours and midday. Early morning is usually the better bet for outdoor sights, though a squall can still spoil one. We'd do parks and street walks first and keep the afternoon for something with a roof.

Question 5

What is there to do in Singapore when it rains?

Accepted Answer

Our pick is the National Gallery Singapore, which fills an afternoon on its own and is a short walk from City Hall MRT. At Marina Bay, the misty Cloud Forest dome is a cool place to sit out a storm, and with children we'd head to the Science Centre instead. Singapore in the Rain has the rest of the indoor list.

Question 6

How do I check if it is about to rain in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Use the 2-hour forecast on the Meteorological Service Singapore website, or the myENV app, which also sends lightning alerts for a spot you choose. The 2-hour forecast covers town centres, and heavy rain warnings usually come about 15 to 30 minutes before the downpour. We'd look before setting out and again before a long open stretch such as the Southern Ridges.

Question 7

How hot and humid is Singapore, and will I cope?

Accepted Answer

Overnight lows sit around 23 to 25°C and daytime highs reach 31 to 33°C all year. Humidity runs above 90% before sunrise and around 60% on a dry afternoon, so it feels heavier than the numbers suggest. We'd start early, take the midday hours indoors with a cold drink, and go back out after 5pm. Koon Seng in the cool is that plan on foot.

Question 8

What should I wear in Singapore's heat and sun?

Accepted Answer

Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothes in a thin, absorbent fabric, and add sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, sunglasses and a hat. The UV index often reaches Very High or Extreme between 11am and 3pm on a clear day, and long sleeves cover the most skin. A fold-up umbrella handles both sun and showers, and a thin layer covers the air-con.

Question 9

What is the best time of day for outdoor sights in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Go early: the UV index peaks between 11am and 3pm, and thunderstorms build in the afternoon. We'd do parks, temples and street walks in the morning, give the middle of the day to a museum or a mall, and come back out once the sun softens for golden hour. Tanglin Gate till noon shows how a cool morning can run.

Question 10

Will I be cold indoors if I dress for Singapore's heat?

Accepted Answer

Air-con in Singapore's malls, museums and cinemas can feel cold after a hot street, so a thin layer helps. We'd keep a cardigan or light overshirt in your day bag: it weighs almost nothing, and it covers shoulders if a temple visit turns up. If you run warm, dress in layers you can peel off at the door.

Question 11

Do thunderstorms close pools and beaches in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lightning stops swimming: official advice is to stay out of the sea and pools until 30 minutes after the last thunder. ActiveSG asks patrons to leave open areas in lightning or thunder, and Sentosa's Lazarus Sea Sports Centre calls everyone ashore when its lightning warning goes off. Ask the staff before you get back in.

Question 12

Will haze ruin a trip to Singapore?

Accepted Answer

For most healthy visitors, a few days of haze mostly means irritated eyes, nose and throat, and outdoor plans can usually go ahead. People with heart or lung conditions should keep medication to hand. Haze is most likely from June to September or early October, when smoke from regional fires can drift over. NEA grades the PSI as Good up to 50, Moderate to 100 and Unhealthy from 101, so check it before heading out and lean on indoor plans when it climbs.

Question 13

Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

We'd take the Southern Ridges: climb from HarbourFront and cross Henderson Waves as the light turns gold. Then ride the cable car down towards Sentosa as the port lights up. For a flatter walk, do the Helix Bridge at golden hour and stay on for the Supertree lights. The Southern Ridges at golden hour has the route, and Bay lights on foot covers the bay.