Showers bring PM2.5 back to normal band in 4 regions; haze outlook likely to improve from Monday

Moderate to heavy thundery showers across several areas of Singapore on Saturday (Oct 24) afternoon helped improve haze conditions , with hourly PM2.5 falling into the normal band (0 to 55µg/m3) in four regions.

At 5pm, 1-hour PM2.5 concentration readings ranged between 33 in northern Singapore to 97 in the western region.

Elsewhere, the central (43), southern (50) and eastern (53) regions were also in the normal band.

Meanwhile, 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remained in the unhealthy range (101 to 200) across Singapore, with the highest reading of 151 recorded in the western region.

Explaining the haze, which affected Singapore overnight, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said this was due to smoke haze from Sumatra drifting towards the city state.

It added that smoke haze was also observed over Kalimantan.

Haze and weather outlook

Turning to the next three days, NEA said that showers are expected over Singapore on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

It also expects winds to blow from the southwest or west, which could limit the transport of smoke haze to Singapore.

"The haze situation is likely to improve," NEA said, adding that the PSI forecast for Sunday is between 80 to 130 — in the moderate to unhealthy range.

Members of the public are advised to check the latest PM2.5 readings before participating in outdoor activities.

10 月 24 日星期六下午，新加坡多个地区出现中到大雷阵雨，有助于改善雾霾状况，四个地区的 PM2.5 小时浓度降至正常范围（0 至 55µg/m3）。

下午 5 点，新加坡北部 PM2.5 浓度 1 小时读数为 33，西部地区为 97。

其他地方，中部（43）、南部（50）和东部（53）地区也处于正常范围内。

与此同时，新加坡 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 仍处于不健康范围 (101 至 200)，其中西部地区记录到的最高读数为 151。

新加坡国家环境局 (NEA) 解释说，一夜之间影响新加坡的雾霾是由于苏门答腊岛的烟雾飘向这个城市国家造成的。

报告还指出，加里曼丹岛上空也出现了烟雾。

雾霾和天气展望

展望未来三天，新加坡国家环境局表示，预计周日、周一和周二新加坡将有阵雨。

预计风向将来自西南或西部，这可能会限制烟雾向新加坡的输送。

国家环境局表示，“雾霾情况可能会有所改善”，并补充说，周日的空气污染指数预计在 80 到 130 之间——属于中度至不健康范围。

建议公众在参加户外活动前查看最新的PM2.5读数。