The climate of Singapore
Singapore has a tropical rainforest type of climate (Köppen climate classification Af) with a lack of distinctive seasons, remarkably consistent temperatures, high humidity, and ample rainfall. The sovereign city-state is an island country in Southeast Asia that lies one degree north of the equator between the Malay Peninsula to its north, and Indonesia's Riau islands to its south separated by the Straits of Singapore. Nearness to the South China Sea as well as the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, the monsoon, and the equatorial location mainly influence the climate.
Singapore consists of the main island and 62 islets with a large amount of land reclaimed from the sea that has increased the total land area by 23% to support the dense population. Most of the area is at a low level, with an average elevation of 15 meters above sea level with the absence of natural resources and a hinterland. The flat terrain consists of many gardens, parks, and reserves but lacks natural forestlands, swamplands, and shrublands that usually foster a diverse ecosystem of plant and animal species. Equatorial winds have free passage across the plain areas as the topography is devoid of natural barriers such as high altitude mountains.
Singapore's equatorial location is responsible for the hot, humid, and rainy conditions throughout the year. The climate is uniform with a fair chance of thunderstorms as the monsoons, both the northeast from
November to
March and the southwest from
June to
September, bring heavy rain to the region. Abundant rainfall to the tune of 2159mm (85") over an average of 166 days is equally distributed over the year, as the humidity rarely falls below 80%.
Average low temperatures are in the range of a warm 23.9°C (75°F) to 25°C (77°F), while average high temperatures register a hot 30°C (86°F) to 32.2°C (90°F) - even the record temperatures of the region do not differ much from the averages.
Singapore has an average of 2022 hours of sunshine over the year with the daily sunshine of 6 hours a day and 12 hour days at the equator. It follows a time zone, GMT+8, which is typically an hour ahead of its geographical location that causes the sun to rise and set late.
Snow and frost are unknown, with the highest natural point at 163 meters.
Sumatra squalls, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds in the dawn or early morning, are frequent during the period of the southwest monsoon.
Singapore is vulnerable to tropical cyclones from June to
December but a lesser degree compared to its tropical neighbors.
The best time to visit Singapore
Singapore is a global hub of tourism, education, finance, logistics and healthcare with an astoundingly uniform climate that rarely sees the temperatures outside the warm 23.9°C (75°F) to 32.2°C (90°F) range - the record temperatures are not far off from the average, with the record low at 18.9°C (66°F) and the record high at 36.1°C (97°F).
The finest time to visit Singapore is around
February: it is sunny with relatively less rain and humidity, and some winds bring relief to the tourists. Overall, the temperatures are consistent throughout the year, but it is better to avoid the months that witness heavy rainfall compared to the others and the typhoon season.
The worst time to visit Singapore
The worst time to visit
Singapore is from
June to
September, with an average high temperature of 32.2°C (90°F) and
November to
January with heavy rains during the southwest monsoon.
The risk of tropical storms increases during the period of June to
December but rarely a cyclone forms at the equatorial latitudes such as the Tropical Storm Vamei that occurred in December 2001. The humidity of more than 80% and the heat is unbearable to visitors who are unaccustomed to the weather, such as those from cold countries.
Weather hazards
Tropical cyclones pose a threat to
Singapore from
June to
September, and sometimes as late as
December. Cyclones are not of the same intensity as in the tropical latitudes, but the low latitudes sometimes witness the passage of the cyclones further north, which affects them to a certain degree. Maritime ports and international shipping lines face suspensions as they endure the destructive effects of the cyclones.
Weather in January
January, like
December, is a hot winter month in
Singapore, Singapore, with an average temperature fluctuating between 23.3°C (73.9°F) and 30.1°C (86.2°F). In January, the average high-temperature is relatively the same as in December - a still tropical 30.1°C (86.2°F).
Weather in January » Weather in February
The last month of the winter,
February, is another tropical month in
Singapore, Singapore, with an average temperature ranging between min 23.6°C (74.5°F) and max 31.2°C (88.2°F). In Singapore, Singapore, the average high-temperature in February is relatively the same as in
January - a still hot 31.2°C (88.2°F).
Weather in February »Weather in March
March, the first month of the spring in
Singapore, is also a hot month, with an average temperature ranging between max 31.6°C (88.9°F) and min 23.9°C (75°F). In March, the average high-temperature is relatively the same as in
February - a still tropical 31.6°C (88.9°F).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April, like
March, is a hot spring month in
Singapore, Singapore, with an average temperature ranging between min 24.4°C (75.9°F) and max 31.7°C (89.1°F). The warmest month is April, with an average high-temperature of 31.7°C (89.1°F) and an average low-temperature of 24.4°C (75.9°F). The average heat index in April is evaluated at a burning hot 45°C (113°F).
Weather in April » Weather in May
May, the last month of the spring in
Singapore, is another tropical month, with an average temperature ranging between min 24.8°C (76.6°F) and max 31.6°C (88.9°F). In May, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in
April - a still hot 31.6°C (88.9°F).
Weather in May » Weather in June
The first month of the summer,
June, is still a tropical month in
Singapore, Singapore, with an average temperature ranging between min 24.8°C (76.6°F) and max 31.3°C (88.3°F). In Singapore, Singapore, the average high-temperature in June is almost the same as in
May - a still hot 31.3°C (88.3°F).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July, like
June, is a hot summer month in
Singapore, Singapore, with temperature in the range of an average low of 24.6°C (76.3°F) and an average high of 30.9°C (87.6°F). In Singapore, the average high-temperature in July is essentially the same as in June - a still hot 30.9°C (87.6°F).
Weather in July » Weather in August
The last month of the summer,
August, is also a hot month in
Singapore, Singapore, with an average temperature varying between 30.9°C (87.6°F) and 24.5°C (76.1°F). In August, the average high-temperature remains the same as in
July - a still tropical 30.9°C (87.6°F).
Weather in August »Weather in September
September, the first month of the autumn in
Singapore, is still a hot month, with an average temperature ranging between max 30.9°C (87.6°F) and min 24.2°C (75.6°F). In Singapore, the average high-temperature in September remains equal as in
August - a still hot 30.9°C (87.6°F).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, like
September, is a hot autumn month in
Singapore, Singapore, with an average temperature varying between 24.1°C (75.4°F) and 31.1°C (88°F). In Singapore, Singapore, the average high-temperature in October is essentially the same as in September - a still hot 31.1°C (88°F).
Weather in October » Weather in November
November, the last month of the autumn in
Singapore, is another hot month, with an average temperature varying between 30.6°C (87.1°F) and 23.7°C (74.7°F). In November, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in
October - a still tropical 30.6°C (87.1°F).
Weather in November » Weather in December
December, the first month of the winter in
Singapore, is still a hot month, with temperature in the range of an average low of 23.5°C (74.3°F) and an average high of 30°C (86°F). With an average high-temperature of 30°C (86°F) and an average low-temperature of 23.5°C (74.3°F), December is the coldest month. In December, the average heat index is evaluated at a scorching 40°C (104°F).
Weather in December » [Resources]