Record-breaking temperatures rounded off 2015, with last month likely to be the warmest December on record. The year was also one of Singapore's hottest.

The mean monthly temperature from Dec 1 to Dec 30 hit 27.8 deg C, beating the previous high of 27.3 deg C in 1997.

It was warmer during the hottest parts of the days too, with a mean daily maximum temperature of 31.6 deg C, higher than the 31.3 deg C recorded in 1997 and 2002.

The highest daily maximum temperature recorded last month was between 34.4 deg C and 34.7 deg C, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said yesterday.

December saw north-east monsoon conditions prevailing over the region.

Half of Singapore received above average rainfall, with the highest amounts being recorded in the western part of Singapore around Jurong Island. The north-western part of Singapore, around Kranji, saw the lowest levels of rainfall.

Due to the strong El Nino effect, 2015 is also likely to tie with 1997 and 1998 as the warmest year on record, with a mean annual temperature of 28.3 deg C.

For the next fortnight, a few days of widespread moderate to heavy rain and occasionally windy conditions are expected, followed by six to eight days of short thundery showers, mostly in the afternoon and early evening.

The showers may be heavy at times on days when there is convergence of winds coupled with strong heating of land areas by the sun, the MSS said.

Temperatures are forecast to be between 22 deg C and 33 deg C.

North-east monsoon conditions are expected to prevail, with low- level winds blowing mostly from the north-east or north-west.

Rainfall for the first half of the month is likely to be normal.

Joanna Seow