Haze forecasted in August following fires in Indonesia

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) has predicted that the warm and dry conditions are expected to intensify this month.

They add that due to the intrusion of dry air from high pressure systems in the southern hemisphere, the weather in the first two weeks of August will likely be a lot drier.

Along with this, the next two weeks of August have been predicted to be equally warm as the last two weeks of July as well.

Daily temperatures are expected to range between 26ºC and 33ºC, with some days exceeding 34ºC.

The MSS noted, “At the climate station in Changi, the monthly average temperature for July was 29°C”.

With surrounding regions experiencing dry weather, Singapore is predicted to be affected by some haze as well.

This is because the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and western Sarawak have begun to experience haze due to forest fires in Indonesia, Malaysia’s Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

The director of Malaysia’s Meterological department told the media, “So far 30 to 40 hotspots have been detected in Sumatera and the haze is at the moderate level, but we are monitoring to see if the hotspots will increase to 100”.

“This month, we forecast the dry weather and haze to prolong for five days. We advise the people to reduce outdoor activities and avoid open burning,” he added.

Malaysia’s Department of Environment revealed that the Air Pollution Index (API) recorded unhealthy air pollution readings at two areas: Rompin in Pahang, and Johan Setia in Klang, Selangor. /TISG