Temperatures dip to 21.6 deg C in Newton amid relentless rain overnight
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SINGAPORE – The mercury fell to 21.6 deg C here on the morning of Jan 11, almost matching 2024’s lowest temperature of 21.4 deg C.
The cool temperature was recorded at 8.51am in Newton, while the highest rainfall was recorded at 86.8mm at 9am in Pasir Panjang.
Powerful winds and heavy rain swept Singapore overnight on Jan 10, toppling trees, disrupting traffic and bringing sweater weather to the island.
Rush-hour traffic slowed to a crawl in some parts of Singapore after hours of relentless rain since the morning of Jan 10, with the temperature dropping to 22 deg C
Rush-hour traffic slowed to a crawl in some parts of Singapore on Jan 10.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Facebook user Nazli Haffiz wrote that he missed his flight due to the heavy traffic jam to Changi Airport on Jan 10.
He booked the next flight for Kuala Lumpur on Jan 11 and spent the next 12 hours at the airport.
Photos and videos seen by The Straits Times showed fallen trees in various locations, including Old Upper Thomson Road, Sentosa and Serangoon.
In one video, a large fallen tree at One Degree 15 Marina pinned a white car to the ground and obstructed a one-lane road.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call at about 8pm on Jan 10 and that no injuries were reported.
Another photo, posted by Marine Parade GRC MP Seah Kian Peng on Jan 10, showed a fallen tree at Kampong Park. He said town council and grassroots leaders, police and SCDF were at the scene and that no one was hurt.
National water agency PUB warned on Jan 9 that extreme downpours may overwhelm Singapore’s canals and drains temporarily between Jan 10 and Jan 13, when a monsoon surge was expected to hit the city.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Jan 9 that the monsoon surge – a sudden increase in wind speeds that causes cold air to rush southwards in the South China Sea – could cause temperatures to dip to 22 deg C in some places.
The wet weather on Jan 10 led to PUB issuing flood risk alerts in areas such as Tanjong Katong and Jalan Pokok Serunai.
In Jalan Seaview near East Coast beach, waters swelled up to around 50cm high, submerging a 60m-long stretch of the street.
On the morning of Jan 11, places such as Admiralty, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Paya Lebar, Pasir Panjang and Jurong West experienced temperatures of 21 to 23 deg C.
For some, the cold weather was the perfect opportunity to take out their sweaters and raincoats.
Facebook user Joyce Sg said that she enjoyed the cool breeze from the rain, while user Kiwi Edward Lim said that he did not have to wash his car. Another user, Youwei Neo, wrote: “After 12 hours of rain, our island is naturally cooled, creating the perfect opportunity to stay cozy at home while reducing the need for fans and air-conditioning.”
Visitors wearing sweaters and jackets due to the rain and cold weather at Gardens by the Bay on Jan 10.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
A prevailing north-east monsoon and record rainfall events led to several flash floods in the last months of 2024.
The year 2025 may still get wetter. On Jan 2, the Meteorological Service Singapore said Singapore is under a La Nina watch – referring to the climate phenomenon that brings more rain – meaning wetter conditions could develop in the next few months.
ST has contacted NEA for more information.
Sherlyn Sim is a journalist at The Straits Times who covers breaking news and current events.
