It looks like you’ll need to keep your windows shut and use your N95 masks again this week. After a brief period of clearer skies, the all-too-familiar smell of the haze returned to Singapore in the early hours of the morning today, October 5. Air quality in parts of the country has officially dipped back into the unhealthy range—if you woke up to grey skies in the central or western areas. Here’s what we know about the Singapore haze and air quality PSI Central.
Singapore haze updates
The readings confirm what many of you noticed this morning. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) began steadily creeping up overnight, and by 6am, both the central and western regions had crossed the unhealthy 100-mark threshold.
Meanwhile, the haze in Singapore got worse throughout the day with the central region hitting a high of 120 and the west recording 114 by 3pm. Although, the north, south, and east have managed to stay in the moderate band.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) points to unfavorable wind patterns as the culprit behind the latest poor air quality in Singapore.
Dry weather combined with prevailing southeasterly and southwesterly winds has been pushing moderate to dense smoke plumes from fires in southern Sumatra straight toward Singapore. Plus, satellite images have picked up smoke haze drifting over Kalimantan.
With dry conditions expected to persist, the NEA forecasts that our 24-hour PSI will continue to bounce between the high-moderate and low-unhealthy range for the foreseeable future.
The NEA advises healthy individuals to scale back on strenuous outdoor activities whenever the 1-hour PM2.5 levels jump into the elevated band. While vulnerable groups are encouraged to avoid it entirely for now. Be sure to keep a close eye on the hourly readings before stepping out.
