PUBLISHED ONSeptember 18, 2026 1:20 AMBYSean LerResidents in Singapore can breathe easier again after air quality returned to the moderate range overnight.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) turned unhealthy in central Singapore at 9pm on Thursday night, with about four hours in that range.
At 9am on Friday (Sept 18), the 24-hour PSI ranged between 70 and 97 — placing Singapore's overall air quality in the moderate range — with the highest PSI of 97 recorded in central Singapore.
The next highest PSI reading of 90 was recorded in western Singapore.
Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 at 9am was between 12 and 22, with the highest reading of 22 recorded in central Singapore.
Readings of between 0 and 55 denote the normal band.
In its daily haze situation update on Thursday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the country's 24-hour PSI forecast is expected to be in the high moderate to low unhealthy range.
Explaining this, the agency noted that smoke haze was observed to have drifted from southern and central Sumatra towards Singapore, while smoke plumes were also detected over southwestern Kalimantan.
"With the prevailing winds forecast to blow from the southeast to southwest, there is a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore," NEA said
Members of the public should note that the health impact of haze is dependent on one's health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.
They can check the latest one-hour PM2.5 reading if participating in immediate outdoor activities.
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