The prolonged dry weather affecting Singapore since mid-January has set a new record for the driest month since 1869, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
At the Changi climate station, the rainfall total recorded last month was 0.2mm, breaking the previous record of 6.3mm in February 2010.
Apart from being the driest month ever, last month is the most windy month in the last 30 years.
At the Changi climate station, the average daily wind speed of 13.3 kilometre per hour (kph) recorded last month exceeds the previous high of 12.5kph in January 1985.
The prolonged dry conditions have also set a new record for the lowest average daily relative humidity of 74.5%.
The previous record low for February and any month of the year was 76.9% (February 1968) and 74.6% (June 2013).
The last day of significant rainfall was on February 16 when between 0.2mm and 29m was recorded in various parts of the island.
Since then, there has been little or no rainfall, with Singapore entering another period of dry spell on February 17.
The dry weather affecting Singapore and the surrounding region is expected to persist in the first half of this month.
With the expected onset of the inter-monsoon in the second half of this month, the winds in the region will turn light and variable in direction.
Increased rainfall can be expected in the later part of the month.
With the dry weather expected to continue, the National Water Agency has started a public campaign to get everyone to conserve water. – Bernama, March 4, 2014. More
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