Singapore Faces Second Monsoon Surge in January

 

Singapore is set for another weekend of non-stop downpours from January 17 to 19 as a second monsoon surge descends. Following a recent surge that ended on January 13, this new weather event is expected to bring strong winds, cooler conditions, and heavy rainfall, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).

Coastal areas are at a heightened risk of flash flooding this time, as tides are forecast to peak at 3.2m on January 17 and 3.1m on January 18. During seasonal high tides, areas like East Coast Park often experience flooding even without heavy rain. The last surge saw tides of up to 2.9m, with significant disruptions caused by the deluge.

The northeast monsoon season, spanning December to January, typically sees two to four monsoon surges annually. These surges are driven by bursts of cold air from Central Asia, which travel across the South China Sea, picking up moisture and forming dense rain clouds as they approach the tropics. This process results in widespread rainfall, strong winds, and cooler weather for Singapore.

During the previous surge, Pulau Tekong recorded a remarkable 241.8mm of rain, breaking past records and doubling the average daily rainfall across 32 weather stations. The heavy rain brought flash floods, toppled trees, exposed potholes, and caused flight delays. On January 10, a high tide of 2.8m overwhelmed a canal near Jalan Seaview, leading to flash floods.

This time, temperatures may dip to around 22°C in the initial days of the surge, before stabilizing between 24°C and 34°C later in January. Overall, the second half of January is forecast to be wetter than average.

National water agency PUB is proactively preparing for the surge by deploying Quick Response Teams to flood-prone areas, distributing protective barriers to homes and businesses, and urging residents to subscribe to PUB Flood Alerts on Telegram or download the myENV app.

Singapore’s climate study underscores the need for vigilance, as climate change is expected to amplify weather patterns, bringing heavier and more frequent storms. The rainy season from November to January could see up to 58% more rainfall in a low-emission scenario. Rising sea levels, driven by melting polar ice, may exacerbate coastal flooding when coupled with seasonal high tides.

PUB has been working on a flood model that simulates the impact of simultaneous inland and coastal flooding, offering critical insights into future flood risks. This planning is vital as Singapore adapts to a wetter climate and prepares for the long-term challenges of climate change.