HOT AND DRY DAYS!

Well, we have been going through some of the most hottest days alive. The air is filled with heat. The only solution available is air-conditioning. Man, when will the hot and dry spell end?

February 2010 is driest month for S'pore since records began in 1869
By Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 March 2010 1840 hrs

February 2010 is driest month for S'pore since records began in 1869

SINGAPORE: February was the driest month in 140 years, since 1869, when records of rainfall first started for Singapore.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said 6.3 millimetres of rain fell in the month.

1968 and 2005 had the next driest Februaries when 8.4 mm of rain fell.

February also saw the hottest day so far this year.

The mercury hit 35 degrees Celsius on the 26th of the month.

NEA said February is traditionally one of the driest months, made worse this year by the El Nino effect.

NEA said rainfall for the first half of March is expected to be below average for most parts of the island.

Climate researcher from the National University of Singapore Matthias Roth said the El Nino effect is expected to last till May.

Coupled with the El Nino effect, which may last for a few more months, an extended heatwave is expected.

"Getting into March and April, those are generally drier months, or drier tail-end of the Northeast Monsoon," explained associate professor Matthias Roth, climate researcher from the National University of Singapore. "So this together with the El Nino effect, would result in relatively dry and warm conditions for the coming couple of months."


- CNA/yb