SINGAPORE, Oct 17 — Afternoon showers over parts of Singapore helped keep hourly PM2.5 from climbing into the very high band this afternoon.
The western concentration reading, which had stayed in the elevated band for 18 hours, had soared from 111 to 158µg/m3 at 11am.
It then hit a high of 243µg/m3 at 2pm, before thundery showers possibly kept it from crossing into very high band (>251µg/m3).
At 7pm, the hourly concentration reading is in the high band in the southern (156µg/m3), central (182µg/m3), and western (198µg/m3) regions.
Elsewhere, PM2.5 is in the elevated band in the eastern (139µg/m3) and northern (106µg/m3) regions.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is in the unhealthy range, with readings ranging from 130 in northern Singapore to 199 in the western region.
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), smoke hazes from fires in Kalimantan had continued to drift towards Singapore under the influence of south-easterly winds, while smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra.
Turning to tomorrow, the agency said in its daily haze situation update this evening that the 24-hour PSI forecast is between 150 and 220 — in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range.
Showers are also expected over Singapore and the surrounding region tomorrow, and with winds forecast to shift to blow from the south-southeast or south, NEA said that there could be a reduction in smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore.
However, some smoke haze from Sumatra may drift towards Singapore, it added.
In the first two days of the coming week, more showers are forecast over Singapore and parts of Kalimantan and winds expected to gradually weaken and blow from the southeast or south.
“This could further decrease the transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore, although some smoke haze from Sumatra may drift towards Singapore,” NEA said.
Members of the public should check the latest PM2.5 concentration readings before participating in any outdoor activities. — AsiaOne