Key Takeaways
- • Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) reported that air quality improved on Monday, October 19, 2026, as hourly PM2.5 readings fell into the normal band in the northern (50 µg/m3) and southern (39 µg/m3) regions, following a shift in winds to blow from the south.
- • Readings in western (74), central (70) and eastern (69) Singapore sat in the low-elevated band, with 24-hour PSI readings in those regions in the low-unhealthy range.
- • Showers were forecast for Monday, with thundery showers expected over northern and western Singapore in the afternoon, and south-southeasterly to southerly winds limiting smoke transport from Kalimantan.
- • The NEA warned that smoke haze may return from Tuesday night, October 20, as winds shift to east-southeasterly and carry smoke from Kalimantan fires toward Singapore.
- • Members of the public were advised to check the latest PM2.5 readings before outdoor activities.
Summary
Residents in Singapore began the week of October 19, 2026 with clearer skies and fresher air, extending a respite that started on Sunday after a change in wind direction, according to AsiaOne. In its daily haze situation update on Sunday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) attributed the improvement to winds turning to blow from the south.
At 9am on Monday, hourly PM2.5 concentrations were in the normal band in the northern (50 µg/m3) and southern (39 µg/m3) regions, and the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings there were in the good-moderate range (PSI 0 to 100). Readings elsewhere were less favorable: western Singapore registered 74, central 70 and eastern 69, all in the low-elevated band, while 24-hour PSI readings in those regions were in the low-unhealthy range.
The Meteorological Service Singapore's 24-hour forecast called for showers over Singapore and the surrounding region on Monday, with thundery showers expected over northern and western Singapore in the afternoon. The NEA said winds were forecast to blow from the south-southeast or south, which could limit transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan, although some smoke from Sumatra may still drift toward Singapore.
Despite the likely improvement on Monday, the NEA cautioned that smoke haze could return from Tuesday night. A likely shift in winds to east-southeasterly may carry smoke from fires in Kalimantan toward Singapore overnight. Members of the public were advised to check the latest PM2.5 readings before participating in outdoor activities.
At 9am on Monday, hourly PM2.5 concentrations were in the normal band in the northern (50 µg/m3) and southern (39 µg/m3) regions, and the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings there were in the good-moderate range (PSI 0 to 100). Readings elsewhere were less favorable: western Singapore registered 74, central 70 and eastern 69, all in the low-elevated band, while 24-hour PSI readings in those regions were in the low-unhealthy range.
The Meteorological Service Singapore's 24-hour forecast called for showers over Singapore and the surrounding region on Monday, with thundery showers expected over northern and western Singapore in the afternoon. The NEA said winds were forecast to blow from the south-southeast or south, which could limit transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan, although some smoke from Sumatra may still drift toward Singapore.
Despite the likely improvement on Monday, the NEA cautioned that smoke haze could return from Tuesday night. A likely shift in winds to east-southeasterly may carry smoke from fires in Kalimantan toward Singapore overnight. Members of the public were advised to check the latest PM2.5 readings before participating in outdoor activities.
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