Singapore's 4th warmest Year was reported in The Strait Times by Ang Qing. Singapore confronted an unprecedented climate challenge in 2023, marking its joint fourth-warmest year since records began in 1929. The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) reported on Jan 22 that sweltering temperatures in May and October shattered records for those months, making 2023 stand out as a year of intense heatwaves.
Annual Overview - Singapore's 4th-Warmest Year
Despite ranking as the fourth hottest year, the annual average temperature at the Changi climate station in 2023 tied with 1997 and 2015 at 28.2°C. However, the last nine months of the year saw consistently above-average temperatures. In addition to the heat, MSS highlighted that 2023 ranked the seventh-wettest year in over 40 years, with annual rainfall exceeding the long-term average by 13.1%.
Temperature Extremes and High Heat Stress Days
Nearly 20 temperature-related records were matched or broken in Singapore in 2023. May 13, 2023, set the highest daily temperature at 37°C in Ang Mo Kio, tying a record from 1983. Moreover, May 2023 matched March 1998 for the warmest month on record, with a mean temperature of 29.5°C. These extremes contributed to 37 days of high heat stress, a significant increase from the preceding years.
Climate Conditions and Influences
The extremities in temperature throughout the year were attributed to the influence of weakening La Niña conditions in early 2023, typically associated with wetter and colder conditions in Southeast Asia. However, the transition to El Niño conditions during the year's second half brought about drier and hotter weather.
Fluctuating Rainfall - From Deluge to Drought
February 2023 witnessed exceptionally high rainfall levels, more than double the average for that month between 1991 and 2020. Kallang recorded a record-breaking daily total rainfall of 225.5mm on Feb 28, 2023. However, this wet spell was followed by months of deficient rainfall – April, May, August, and October – each ranking among the top 10 driest for their respective months since 1980.
Global Context - Confirming the Trend
The MSS report aligns with global trends as climate scientists confirm 2023 as the warmest year for the planet. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported a 1.48°C increase in global temperatures compared to the second half of the 19th century. Greenhouse gas emissions and the influence of El Niño were identified as the primary drivers of this warming trend.
Future Projections and Concerns
Despite being the fourth hottest year on record, Singapore faces a hotter future. The National Environment Agency's latest climate change study anticipates a potential temperature increase of up to 5°C by the end of the century. This prediction underscores the critical need for adaptive measures and global efforts to curb climate change, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the root causes of the rising temperatures.