Singapore residents woke to another morning of moderate air quality on Sept. 22, offering some relief after haze pushed parts of the island into the unhealthy range earlier this month.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index, or PSI, remained in the moderate range across Singapore, while the one-hour PM2.5 readings were also within the normal band. The improvement follows several days of showers that have helped clear some of the haze affecting the island.
However, the haze threat has not disappeared.
The National Environment Agency has warned that smoke haze from fires in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan could still affect Singapore because of prevailing winds from the southeast and south. Satellite observations have continued to detect smoke plumes in the region.
Weather conditions on Tuesday could provide some temporary relief. Singapore is expected to experience thundery showers during the afternoon, with temperatures reaching around 34 degrees Celsius and overnight lows of about 25 degrees.
The Meteorological Service Singapore has forecast more frequent showers during the second half of September, with localised short-duration thundery showers expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on most days.
Those showers could help improve air quality by washing airborne particles out of the atmosphere, although the overall haze situation will also depend on regional fire activity and wind direction.
Singapore experienced a significant deterioration in air quality earlier this month when the 24-hour PSI crossed into the unhealthy range for the first time since October 2023. The government subsequently began issuing daily haze advisories as smoke from fires in neighbouring regions affected Singapore.
The recent improvement does not mean the situation is permanently resolved. NEA continues to monitor smoke movement from Indonesia, while changing wind conditions could bring haze back over the island.
Residents planning outdoor activities are advised to look at the one-hour PM2.5 reading and its accompanying health guidance for immediate activities. For activities planned for the following day, the 24-hour PSI forecast provides a broader indication of expected air quality.
For now, Singapore has a combination of better air quality and more unsettled weather — but with regional fires still burning, the haze story is far from over.
