SINGAPORE - Weather in January was cooler and wetter than normal, with the island receiving "well above normal rainfall" for the first month of the year, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).
However, this will change in the first two weeks of February as drier and warmer weather can be expected, added MSS.
In January, the highest rainfall was recorded in Paya Lebar at 502.4mm - more than double the average, said MSS on Thursday (Feb 1).
Even the lowest rainfall observed, which was in Changi, was 16 per cent above average at 272.6mm.
The mean monthly temperature of 26.2 deg C was also below the long-term mean for January by 0.3 deg C.
Daily maximum temperatures for the month ranged between 24.3 deg C and 34.9 deg C, while minimum temperatures ranged between 21.2 deg C and 24.1 deg C.
This was due to localised thunderstorms, Sumatra squalls and monsoon surges that occurred throughout the "eventful month", the Met said.
While most days of the month saw thundery showers over Singapore in the afternoon and evening, a Sumatra squall on Jan 8 brought "widespread" thundery showers to the island.
Eastern Singapore received the heaviest rainfall due to the squall, resulting in flash floods and the highest daily rainfall recorded in Paya Lebar at 131.8mm.
Singapore also experienced two monsoon surges in the first half of January, said MSS.
The first was on Jan 1, the tail-end of a three-day monsoon surge that started on Dec 30, while the second occurred from Jan 10 to 14.
The second monsoon surge brought five consecutive days of cool weather, with daily minimum temperatures dipping to as low as 21.2 deg C - the longest cool spell in Singapore in 10 years.
The surge led to the lowest temperature recorded for the month, at 21.2 deg C in Admiralty and Jurong West on Jan 14.
On Tuesday, intense thunderstorms led to hailstones in parts of northern Singapore, including Seletar and Yishun.
Another intense thunderstorm on Wednesday also brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to eastern Singapore, and a waterspout was observed off the east coast.
However, Singaporeans can expect drier and warmer weather in the coming weeks, as the dry phase of the North-east Moon is set to kick in for the first half of February.
For the next two weeks, temperatures are forecast to range between 24 deg C and 33 deg C, and could reach a high of around 34 deg C on some days.
During this period, low-level winds are forecast to blow mostly from the north-east or north-west, said MSS.
While rainfall for the first two weeks of February is expected to be below normal, there will still be wet weather on some days, including short thundery showers in the afternoon on three to five days.
Passing showers and cooler temperatures can also be expected for a few days, due to a weak monsoon surge that could affect the South China Sea and the surrounding region.
During such rainy or windy weather, temperatures will cool, with daily minimum temperatures ranging between 23 deg C and 24 deg C.
