Hazy start to the weekend as PSI reaches unhealthy levels in Singapore; thundery showers expected later

Residents in Singapore woke up to deteriorating air quality on Saturday morning (Oct 24), with haze conditions worsening overnight.

As at 10am, the hourly PM2.5 readings were in the elevated range islandwide, with the highest concentration reading of 97 recorded in the western region.

Elsewhere, the next-highest concentration readings were in central (92) and northern Singapore.

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 118 in the southern region to 148 in western Singapore.

The national 24-hour PSI forecast is between 90 to 140, in the moderate to unhealthy range.

Haze and weather outlook

In its daily haze situation update issued on Oct 23 , the National Environment Agency (NEA) said thundery showers are forecast over northern, eastern and central Singapore on Saturday.afternoon.

However, it cautioned that smoke haze may continue to be transported from Sumatra to Singapore under the prevailing south-southeasterly and south-southwesterly winds.

The PSI is forecast to be between 90 to 140 — in the moderate to unhealthy range.

The agency added that winds are forecast to shift to the southwest or west from Sunday onwards, which could reduce the amount of smoke haze transported to Singapore.

Members of the public are advised to check the latest hourly PM2.5 readings before engaging in prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

新加坡居民周六（10月24日）早晨醒来发现空气质量恶化，雾霾情况在夜间进一步加重。

截至上午 10 点，全岛 PM2.5 小时读数均处于较高水平，其中西部地区记录到的最高浓度读数为 97。

其他地方，浓度读数第二高的地区是新加坡中部（92）和北部。

24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 从新加坡南部地区的 118 到新加坡西部地区的 148 不等。

全国24小时PSI指数预测在90至140之间，属于中度至不健康范围。

雾霾和天气展望

新加坡国家环境局 (NEA) 在 10 月 23 日发布的每日雾霾情况更新中表示，预计周六下午新加坡北部、东部和中部地区将出现雷阵雨。

不过，该机构警告说，在盛行的东南偏南风和西南偏南风的影响下，烟雾可能会继续从苏门答腊岛飘到新加坡。

预计PSI指数将在90到140之间——处于中度至不健康范围。

该机构补充说，预计从周日开始，风向将转为西南或西风，这可能会减少输送到新加坡的烟霾量。

建议公众在进行长时间或剧烈的户外活动前，查看最新的PM2.5每小时读数。