Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Singapore air quality stays good to moderate as haze risk remains
Singapore’s 24-hour air quality readings remained good to moderate, with the PSI between 67 and 90 across all five regions at 7am on Friday.
The National Environment Agency had forecast that readings could reach the unhealthy range of 101 to 150 later that day.
Smoke haze from Sumatra and Kalimantan could drift towards Singapore as winds shift, though showers could help.
When the 24-hour PSI is unhealthy, the agency advises older people, pregnant women and children to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.
For immediate decisions about going outdoors, check the one-hour PM2.5 readings, which measure fine particles in the air.
The agency expected conditions to improve on Sunday because of showers and favourable winds.
Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index readings were in the good to moderate range across all five regions on Friday, Oct 22.
Readings at 7am ranged from 67 to 90, while hourly PM2.5 readings were within the normal range.
The National Environment Agency had forecast unhealthy air quality for Friday because haze from Sumatra and Kalimantan could be carried towards Singapore.
The agency said showers and favourable winds could improve hazy conditions by Sunday.
- Who
- Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) issued the haze forecast; the readings covered Singapore’s five regions.
- What
- Air quality remained in the good to moderate range, despite NEA’s forecast of possible unhealthy readings.
- When
- Friday, Oct 22, with readings reported as of 7am.
- Where
- Singapore; the forecast also referred to smoke haze from Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- Why
- Dry conditions and winds could carry smoke haze towards Singapore. Showers could help improve conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Singapore’s air quality returned to the good and moderate range after the PSI reading in the west dropped at 3pm.
NEA said most smoke haze from Kalimantan and Sumatra remained south of Singapore and forecast unhealthy PSI readings for Friday.
PSI readings across Singapore’s five regions ranged from 67 to 90, and hourly PM2.5 readings were within the normal range.
NEA said smoke haze might drift over from Sumatra due to expected southeasterly or southerly winds.
NEA expected hazy conditions to improve because of showers and favourable winds.
- PSI range at 7am
- 67 to 90
- Regions covered
- All five regions of Singapore
- Hourly PM2.5 range at 7am
- 20 to 52
- NEA’s forecast PSI band for Friday
- Unhealthy, 101 to 150
- Potential haze sources
- Sumatra and Kalimantan
What people are saying
As dry conditions are expected to persist over the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, smoke haze may be transported towards Singapore under prevailing southeasterly winds.
However, showers over Singapore and the vicinity could help with the situation.