Haze watch: Air quality in Singapore improves, PSI back to moderate level

Residents in Singapore woke up to improved air quality on Monday (Sept 28) as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) fell back to the moderate range on Sunday night.

Moderate to heavy thundery showers throughout most of Sunday afternoon helped keep the haze at bay, with western, eastern and central Singapore exiting the unhealthy range at 3pm, 8pm and 11pm respectively.

At 8am, PSI ranged from 62 to 77 — in the moderate range — with central Singapore recording the highest reading of 77.

Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 is in the normal band across all five regions.

Haze and weather forecast

In its daily haze situation update on Sunday, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had forecast the country's 24-hour PSI to be in the moderate to low-unhealthy band.

This, despite, a forecast of thundery showers over the northern, eastern and western parts of Singapore on Monday afternoon.

Explaining why, NEA said this is due to the prevailing east-southeast or south-easterly winds, which it noted could bring smoke plumes from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra to Singapore.

"There could be a risk of smoke haze," the agency added.

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 one-hour PM2.5 concentration reading before participating in any immediate outdoor activities.

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editor@asiaone.com