Singapore wrapped up 2024 with a record-breaking heatwave, joining 2019 and 2016 as the hottest years ever, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). The ‘Singapore Climate 2024: The Year in Numbers’ report revealed that every month registered temperatures equal to or above their long-term averages, which will make your ice kacang melt in minutes!
Record Temperatures
The hottest month of 2024 was April, with a mean temperature reaching 29.4 degrees Celsius. And guess what? It wasn’t just any April; it tied with 2016 as the warmest April on record. Not far behind was July, boasting a mean temperature of 29.3 degrees Celsius, breaking the record set in 2015.
December’s Surprising Heat
- December 2024 recorded the warmest December ever with a mean temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius, tying with December 2015 and 2021.
- The mean daily maximum temperature of 31.7 degrees Celsius broke the previous record set in December 2016 and 2018.
- Changi climate station hit its highest daily maximum temperature on 7 December, soaring to 35.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record by a whopping 1.7 degrees Celsius.
High Heat Stress Days
Last year was a scorcher, with 21 days classified as having high heat stress—most occurring in March, April, and May. The Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measure that combines factors like humidity and wind speed, hit a staggering 34.4 degrees Celsius. Be careful, hor!
Wetter but Variable Rainfall
Surprisingly, 2024 wasn’t just about heat; it also saw increased rainfall. The total annual rainfall averaged 2,739.8mm, representing an 8.1 per cent rise from the long-term average—marking it as the 12th wettest year since 1980.
- November became the wettest November on record, with rainfall of 419mm.
- In stark contrast, July faced a dry spell, with average rainfall dropping significantly below long-term averages.
With a mix of scorching temperatures and unpredictable rain, 2024 proved to be a year of extremes for Singapore, reminding us all to stay hydrated and keep our umbrellas handy!