Why have there been so many extreme weather events in Singapore?

Experts point to global warming, but say strange weather patterns may also arise purely by chance

Thunderstorms are common in Singapore at this time of the year, with the Republic experiencing around 167 thunderstorm days and 185 lightning days each year. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Thunderstorms are common in Singapore at this time of the year, with the Republic experiencing around 167 thunderstorm days and 185 lightning days each year. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
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A waterspout developing off the southern coast of Singapore on Saturday as well as unseasonably cold or warm spells around the world have people asking yet again: Are more unusual and extreme weather incidents happening both here and around the world because of climate change, or an unexpected confluence of factors?

It is a bit of both, said climate experts.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 16, 2019, with the headline Why have there been so many extreme weather events in Singapore?. Subscribe