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Last month the driest Feb in 140 years
by Joanne Chan [email protected]
05:55 AM Mar 02, 2010
SINGAPORE - A new record has been set: February was the driest month ever for Singapore in 140 years.
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), just 6.3mm of rain fell, the least in a single month since records began to be kept in 1869.
February also saw the hottest day so far, with the mercury hitting 35°C last Friday.
Those hoping for cool reprieve may have to wait. Notwithstanding passing showers in some areas yesterday, the first half of this month is expected to be mainly dry, with rainfall below average for most parts of the island, said the NEA.
Temperatures from today until Thursday are expected to reach 34°C.
The NEA said February is traditionally one of the driest months. Historically, the driest Februaries prior to this were in 1968 and 2005, when 8.4 mm of rain fell.
But the months ahead promise an extended heatwave.
March and April generally mark the drier tail-end of the of the north-east monsoon season, noted climate researcher Matthias Roth of the National University of Singapore.
And with the El Nino effect expected to last till May, Associate Professor Roth said the net effect would be "relatively dry, warm conditions for the coming couple of months".
For now, Singaporeans say they are beating the heat by downing cold drinks, swimming more, dressing lighter and turning on the air-conditioner.
by Joanne Chan [email protected]
05:55 AM Mar 02, 2010
SINGAPORE - A new record has been set: February was the driest month ever for Singapore in 140 years.
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), just 6.3mm of rain fell, the least in a single month since records began to be kept in 1869.
February also saw the hottest day so far, with the mercury hitting 35°C last Friday.
Those hoping for cool reprieve may have to wait. Notwithstanding passing showers in some areas yesterday, the first half of this month is expected to be mainly dry, with rainfall below average for most parts of the island, said the NEA.
Temperatures from today until Thursday are expected to reach 34°C.
The NEA said February is traditionally one of the driest months. Historically, the driest Februaries prior to this were in 1968 and 2005, when 8.4 mm of rain fell.
But the months ahead promise an extended heatwave.
March and April generally mark the drier tail-end of the of the north-east monsoon season, noted climate researcher Matthias Roth of the National University of Singapore.
And with the El Nino effect expected to last till May, Associate Professor Roth said the net effect would be "relatively dry, warm conditions for the coming couple of months".
For now, Singaporeans say they are beating the heat by downing cold drinks, swimming more, dressing lighter and turning on the air-conditioner.
