Singapore Climate & When to go

Climate

Standing at 1.50 and 136 km North of the equator, Singapore is a tropical haven with summer almost all year round! Alternating between the almost indistinguishable seasons of warm and sunny, and warm and rainy, the island’s daily temperatures are continually high, rarely dropping below 24C and hitting as high as 34-35C.

Average temperatures between the months of February to October range from 32-34C in the day and 28-30C at night, while during the Northeast Monsoon season lasting from end-October to end-January, temperatures can dip to 28-32C in the day and 23-26C at night.

As with high temperatures, the island also experiences high humidity levels and high annual rainfall. In other words, expect to get sticky! Rain comes and goes almost daily with sudden heavy showers or thunderstorms occurring in the early mornings and late afternoons. It is thus always wise to take an umbrella out when venturing out especially during the coolest and wettest months of end-October to end-January.

May to July tend to be the hottest and driest months in Singapore. From May to October, Singapore also experiences quite a bad haze problem resulting from the rampant forest fires occurring in parts of Indonesia. If you're asthmatic or suffer from other respiratory conditions, think twice about planning the trip as the polluted air often causes and aggravates existing breathing problems.

Sunstroke, dehydration, headaches, and prickly heat are some common traveller’s illness resulting from the scorching heat, so do constantly remember to hydrate one and take along a hat and umbrella especially when travelling outdoors.

Light clothing such as t-shirts, shorts and short-sleeved shirts are sufficient although you may want to pack in a light jacket or shawl just in case it gets colder. Most Singaporeans hide from the heat, living, working, travelling, and visiting fully air-conditioned places, including exercising in air-conditioned gyms.

When to go

Now is a good time to visit Singapore! It has an annual calendar choked-pack with racial and religious celebrations, festivals, and events, which coupled with a breed of interesting people, will certainly leave unexpected and unforgettable memories. Consider the 3 C's when planning your trip to this island: climate, crowd, and celebrated festivals.

You will most likely encounter a hot and sticky time regardless of when you head to Singapore. Generally, however, May to July are the island’s hotter and driest months while end-October to January are its colder and wettest months. Plan to avoid the periodic haze problem if visiting between May to October.

If you're planning trips out from Singapore to the islands of the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia such as Redang, Tioman, and Rawa, April to October are the best months to visit before the Northeast Monsoon hits.

Singapore does not experience seasonal tourism but the island is discernibly more crowded during the local month-long school holidays occurring on June and December, and on significant racial and cultural festivals.

If planning a trip to Singapore, you may want to visit during one of the many celebrated festivals when the scene is that much more colourful, lively, and vibrant. We recommend the periods leading up to Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali, or Christmas.