Singapore’s Weather: A Wild Ride
Welcome to the Little Red Dot, a green oasis perched just over a degree north of the equator, where sunshine loves to hide behind clouds.
From mysteriously thick fogs that made morning commutes feel like a James Bond chase, to hailstones that landed on your head like tiny paperweights, Singapore’s climate has entertained us like a late‑night comedy show. And if you think “tornados” sound far‑fetched, think again: the city has even welcomed a few of those twirling, sky‑ward spirals.
Why We’re Talking About Weather on March 23
World Meteorological Day falls on March 23, the anniversary of the 1950 signing of the Convention that birthed the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It’s the perfect moment to raise our cups of kopi (or tea) and shout “weather, we’ve got you!”
Record Weather Moments That Shocked the Community
- 2021 – The Losy Liquid Day – Singapore batted a record‑breaking 384 millimetres of rain between 7 pm and 10 am. The city‑state was drenched, puddles became swimming pools, and traffic lights blazed like neon.
- 2015 – The Fog Festival – The city’s humidity hit a fever pitch, turning the downtown skyline into a watercolor painting. Commuters had to put their phones on ‘no camera’ mode to avoid that misty pixelation.
- 2016 – The ‘Mini Tornado’ Moment – In a rare burst, a tornado formed over a shopping mall, spinning leaves and shopfront awnings like an unexpected disco. Luckily, no one was harmed.
- 2019 – The “Misty Morning” Surprise – The city woke up to a frosted, hazy atmosphere that gave everyone a perfect excuse to stay inside and binge-watch their favourite dramas.
- 2012 – The Hailstorm Hype – Hailstones the size of marbles rained down on the city, causing a minor debate about whether it was more “stormy” or “game‑on” style.
- 2010 – The “Dry Day” Wonder – For the first time in a decade, the city went 78 hours without a single drop of rain. Residents celebrated with rooftop parties, until the clouds rolled in with a stingy shower.
Takeaway
Singapore isn’t just a tourist hotspot; it’s also a weather playground full of unpredictability. Whether it’s a blistering heatwave, rain‑no‑stop drizzle, or a bizarre tornado, the city’s atmosphere is always ready to keep life interesting.
So, on this World Meteorological Day, let’s raise a toast to the skies that make us feel, “Who‘d have thought?”
Highest rainfall ever recorded
When the Skies Went on a Watery Rampage
Picture it: mid‑January, the whole of Singapore is turning into a living, breathing aquarium. Everyone pulls out their umbrellas like it’s a fashion show—only this time, the dress code is soaked.
Why the Day Was So “Wet”
- Changi’s record haul: On Saturday, 318.6 mm of rain fell—wiping out the usual wet weather and giving the clouds a high‑five.
- The 39‑year champion: That torrential downpour topped the longest” recorded rainfall streak in the Republic.
- Daily comparison: The total for the month of January averages 238.3 mm, so Changi exceeded expectations by over 80 mm.
The Public Utilities Board’s Take
According to the PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD (PUB), the 318.6 mm tallied on January 2, 2021 is a historic peak. “We’re looking at a massive deluge that left the streets feeling like a slab of gelatin,” they said. It turns out the heavy rain did nothing but turn the usual commute into a full‑on “water park” experience.
How the Waters Remember
With umbrellas in hand and boots itching for a splash, the city’s residents did what they do best: they embraced the liquid curtain. The phrase “a little under the weather” shouldn’t be taken literally—though it did feel like a real downpour of emotions.
Lessons Learned
- Plan your day with a rain‑proof wardrobe.
- Pull your friend sun‑blocks to a 9‑to‑5 mountain run.
- Enjoy the spectacle: the sky really does throw a memorable party when it decides to.
So next time it drizzles, remember: it’s just the sky’s way of saying that even the toughest days can turn into unforgettable splash stories.
Fog and mist
Singapore’s Fog‑Fest: When Rain Turns Cloudy into a Photo‑Stop
What Went Down on the 12‑14 Sept Weekend
For three straight days, the city’s skies turned a soft, almost risqué blue‑grey as showers rolled in from dawn till dusk. The temperature hovered around 25 °C—just warm enough to keep you out of the cold and warm enough to make psuedoscience-microscopic fog dance like a confetti shower in the streets.
How the Fog Moved In
- Heavy Rains, Light Atmosphere: The relentless downpours lowered humidity levels faster than you can say “double‑espresso,” causing a dramatic, low‑lying fog to roll in from all corners of the island.
- City’s Flair: From Orchard Road to Marina Bay, the embrace of mist turned familiar landmarks into a ghostly silhouette—think a quiet movie scene with no soundtrack.
- Heat and Ventilation: The 25 °C ambient temps helped hold the mist in place, giving photographers that ‘cinematic fog’ vibe without the needs for a large remote fog machine.
Singaporeans Get Their Hands (and Cameras) on the Moment
Once the fog had reached a “super‑cool” level, it was impossible for anyone to let the opportunity slip. Social media feeds sparked with new photos, selfies, and memes featuring the city seen through a translucent veil. The hashtag “#FoggySg” terraced #BTS & #Travelgram as the moment went down. Each snap looked like a frame taken by an octopus—one eye at the street load, another eye at the anemic skyline, and one more eye at the cool breeze, all at the same time.
Why People Embraced It
Beyond the obvious aesthetic allure, there were a few reasons the crowd went crazy about the fog:
- “City Camouflage”: The mist obscured everyday blemish and made familiar streets look brand‑new.
- “Summer Chill”: Even though the day was warm, the fog pulled a small, refreshing draft that kept joggers comfortable.
- “Instant Instagram Worth”: The fog gave the perfect backdrop that could not be replicated in a studio, adding a touch of “spoof” to the usual polished shots.
Takeaway: Tomorrow’s Weather is a “Fog‑bautable” Campaign
For any tourist planning a gap‑day trip, the 12‑14 September weekend was a reminder that you’re never truly prepared for a clouded–day. The city’s own sun‑cloud interplay was a free, all‑access content source—no travel agencies, no hefty entry fees, only a borrowed fog as the backdrop. So next time Singapore rains like a caffeinated tin‑plate, roll up a camera; the mist will play the role of your best friend.
Highest temperature
Singapore’s Record-Breaking Heatwave – April 2016
Did you feel the sweat soaking in? Singapore hit 36.7 °C in April 2016 – the highest temperature in a decade. If you’re wondering what that means for you, it’s basically your body’s going from its normal 37 °C to a less cool, more “room temperature” scenario.
Physics 101: Heat Moves from Hot to Cold
- When the ambient temperature climbs, anything warmer than the air will lose heat to the environment.
- That means your sweat evaporates faster, but it also means you’re juggling a personal thermoregulation crisis.
Comparison to the All-Time High
The 36.7 °C nearly matched Singapore’s absolute maximum of 37 °C, recorded at Tengah on April 17, 1983. So, if you’re wondering whether April babies are born “hot,” you’d say, “Hell yeah – they’re born with the heat of the city!”
Feeling the Belt of Hotness
Think of it like a giant, invisible, warming blanket. The city is so hot that your body’s internal thermostat has to fight harder to keep that internal stable feeling. Sweat, fans, and sleepless nights became the new normal.
Bottom line? April in Singapore in 2016 was the season to remember – a time when heat literally took the stage, and everyone on the balcony was sweating it out.
Lowest temperature
Singapore’s Unexpected Chill Day
Picture this: a day so cool that even the doting Singaporeans feel like they could pull out their Uniqlo Heattech jackets—no fancy AC required. On Feb 14, 1989, the Paya Lebar weather station marked the lowest temperature ever recorded in Singapore: a surprisingly frosty 19 °C.
Why 19 °C Rocks
- Half-Size Warmer: It’s nearly half of the hottest day ever (about 38 °C), so that 19 °C feels like a chill passport to “winter” even though we’re still in Singapore.
- Season Swap: When the city’s normally “heat‑dominated” mood swings hit a low, the city wakes up with a sudden breeze in its mouth.
- No Air‑Con Needed: People could literally ditch their AC panels and still stay warm—an eco‑friendly win for the planet.
So… Did Singapore Experience Winter?
No, but it felt a smidge like it. 19 °C is as close as it gets to a proper winter in this tropical paradise, a brief cool detour that left everyone scrambling for a jacket.
Fun Fact
Next time you see temperatures dip to the teens, remember that those little springs in Singapore’s heart might just have a “freeze” for the day—so bring your Heattech and enjoy the moment.
Hailstones
When the Sky decided to Throw a Snowball Fight
Picture this: It’s a typical Singapore afternoon, the air is already steaming from the humidity, and out of nowhere, hail starts raining like it’s having a grand ball in the sky. By the time you’re realizing it’s 2013, you’re not sure if you’re dreaming or just got a little fed up with reality.
The Epic 30‑Minute Show
The whole shenanigans happened mainly on the western side of the island—yes, the Jurong and Bukit Batok zones. For roughly half an hour, the heavens threw down a hail storm big enough to make traffic queues feel like a mundane chore and trees swoop down like the new workout trend.
Hail History: Before and After
- 2009 – First recorded hail blast in modern Singapore.
- 2013 – The charged one that stole the spotlight.
- 2014 – Another go‑of that kept the curious minds awake.
- 2018 – A final reminder that hail can still surprise.
According to the Singapore Meteorological Services, this isn’t the first time nature decided to drop its icy eyes on the city-state. Yet each time, it’s its own “round‑table” drama with the streets and the public.
Takeaway
Even though it might have felt like an apocalypse, the real takeaway is that even the most predictable tropics aren’t immune to a little surprise weather. And if you’re lucky enough or unlucky enough to witness it yourself, just remember: the sky has a sense of humor—and sometimes, a bit of a mischievous streak.
Scary “tornados”
Stormy Sea Shows Off Giant Water Spirals
Picture this: August 2016, the East Coast waters were buzzing with something that looked like celestial tornadoes. Long‑time skeptics called them giant waterspouts, and the National Environment Agency (NEA) breaks it down—Singapore sees roughly three of these watery whirlwinds each year.
Don’t Get Too Intimidated
Sure, their eye‑catching spins might send a chill down your spine, but most of these hydromathic spectacles fade before they even wrap up on land. In other words, your nearest beach trip is still safe and mostly dry.
Curious About More Weather Shenanigans?
Feel like getting a front‑row seat to Singapore’s wildest sky moments? Dive into our feature on the “5 Times The Sky In Singapore Made Us Go ‘Wow!’ In 2020”—where we trace the most jaw‑dropping meteorological shows that have left us all in awe.
This piece originally ran on Wonderwall.sg. Check it out and be ready to gasp, laugh, and maybe even get a little breezy!
