SINGAPORE - If you are out visiting this weekend, do bring an umbrella or raincoat - thundery showers are forecast in the afternoons on the first and second days of Chinese New Year.

Temperatures are expected to hit highs of 34 deg C and lows of 24 deg C on both Friday (Feb 16) and Saturday (Feb 17), according to the four-day weather outlook on the National Environment Agency's (NEA's) website.

Last year, a monsoon surge affecting the South China Sea and the surrounding region meant it was a wet Chinese New Year for Singapore.

On the third day of CNY last year, a double rainbow was spotted in the skies after heavy showers.

A monsoon surge also led to rainy, windy weather during CNY in 2016.

The second half of February is set to be wetter than the first, with short thundery showers expected in the afternoon on six to eight days, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The showers may extend into the evening on a few of those days. Rainfall for February is likely to be below normal, MSS said.

The second fortnight of the month is also expected to be warmer, with temperatures going up to 34 deg C on some days. The daily minimum temperature is expected to range between 23 deg C and 24 deg C.