Expect warm and humid nights in first half of June

Residents can expect warm and humid nights, as well as thundery showers on some days in the first half of June, the weatherman has said.

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said on June 2 that daily maximum temperatures are likely to hover around 34 deg C on most days, with highs of 35 deg C on a few days.

On several nights, the temperatures may stay above 29 deg C, it added.

Localised short thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on some days.

The Sumatra squalls may also bring widespread thundery showers and gusty wind during the pre-dawn hours and morning on a few days.

Singapore has been sweltering in the hot weather in the past couple of weeks, with the temperature creeping up to a high of 36.2 deg C on May 24 in Paya Lebar, the highest recorded in the last fortnight of that month.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on June 2 offered some advice to beat the heat.

In a video uploaded on social media, Mr Ong encouraged residents to stay hydrated by drinking water even when they are not thirsty and to minimise outdoor activities.

He also advised residents to dress appropriately for the weather by donning only one layer of clothing, and monitor themselves for early signs of heat injuries, such as nausea, dizziness and cramps.

In the last two weeks of May, short thundery showers fell over parts of the island on several days.

On May 18, the passage of a Sumatra squall brought widespread thundery showers over Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon, with Sembawang recording a daily total rainfall of 78.6mm, the highest rainfall recorded for the second half of May.

Despite the rain, the daily maximum temperatures registered above 35 deg C on several days during the same period.

The hottest weather ever seen in Singapore - at 37 deg C - was in Ang Mo Kio and Tengah on May 13, 2023, and April 17, 1983, respectively.

Singapore saw below-average rainfall in the second half of May, especially around Simei where rainfall was about 63 per cent below average, the MSS said.