Air quality in Singapore still unhealthy as haze persists 

SINGAPORE – The air quality across Singapore remained largely unchanged on Oct 12, with the 24-hour PSI staying in the unhealthy range and the one-hour PM2.5 readings hovering between the elevated and high bands.

At 7pm, the 24-hr PSI was between 118 and 155, while the PM2.5 readings were between 93 and 135.

Air quality is considered unhealthy when the PSI – a 24-hour rolling average of six key air pollutants – is in the range of 101 to 200.

The hourly PM2.5 readings in the western and central regions have been fluctuating between the elevated and high bands throughout the day.

The hourly PM2.5 reading – measured in micrograms per cubic m – is used as a gauge for current air quality. Scores from 0 to 55 represent normal values, those between 56 and 150 indicate an elevated concentration of fine particles, while those between 151 and 250 are considered high.

In its daily advisory in the evening of Oct 12, the National Environment Agency (NEA) forecast that air quality would continue to be in the unhealthy range over the next 24 hours, even as showers fell over parts of Singapore. 

This was similar to its forecast for Oct 12 issued the previous day.

“Moderate to dense smoke plumes continued to be observed from fires in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra. Under prevailing south-easterly winds, smoke haze was observed drifting towards Singapore,” NEA said.

“While some showers are expected over Singapore and parts of the surrounding region, dry conditions are forecast to persist over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan,” it added.

The highest hourly PM2.5 reading to date in 2026 – 171 – was recorded in the west on Oct 9.

The government’s haze task force announced a series of measures on Oct 9 should the PSI exceed 200 and move into the very unhealthy range.

Air quality in Singapore breached unhealthy levels for the first time since October 2023 on Sept 4, 2026.