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Less rain is expected to fall in Singapore for the remainder of September, but wetter weather could be expected in the coming months.
The meteorologist has declared the beginning of conditions similar to La Niña in the region this month, after being alert since July for the climatic phenomenon that brings a rainier climate to Southeast Asia.
La Niña is the “weeping” sister to El Niño, the phenomenon generally associated with hot, dry weather in Southeast Asia.
“La Niña-like conditions have been detected in the western Pacific. These include characteristic changes in sea surface temperature, cloud cover and winds in the tropical Pacific Ocean,” Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) told The Straits of the National Environment Agency. Times in response to inquiries last week.
This follows a September 14 update from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which also concluded that La Niña conditions are present.
But the MSS spokesperson noted that as La Niña events typically occur over several months, more observations are needed before a La Niña event can be declared.
La Niña and El Niño are opposite phases of a climate phenomenon known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation.
Both phenomena are caused by changes in atmospheric pressure and sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, and have opposite effects on climate on the maritime continent, which includes Singapore and Indonesia.
Under normal conditions, the western Pacific, where countries like Singapore and Indonesia meet, is much warmer than the east.
The reason lies in the way the winds blow. In the tropical Pacific Ocean, winds blow mainly from east to west.
These predictable trade winds, as they are known, keep warm water confined around the maritime continent.
But during an El Niño, the trade winds weaken. This means that the warm water pool is no longer limited to the region.
As the warm water moves into the central Pacific Ocean, rain clouds follow.
This is why during an El Niño event, Southeast Asia experiences less rain and warmer weather.
But during a La Niña event, the opposite happens.
Trade winds intensify, making warm water more confined around the maritime continent. This concentrates the supply of moisture that fuels the formation of rain clouds that bring more rain.
But meteorological scientist Koh Tieh Yong from Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) pointed out that the rain experienced in the first half of this month was probably not influenced by La Niña.
Instead, the increased rainfall is likely due to stronger winds blowing from the tropical Indian Ocean, causing more rain clouds to form over Southeast Asia, bringing more rain, he added.
Associate Professor Koh noted that since a La Niña event is still far from fruitful, its influence on the September weather here is weak.
This means that for this month, other factors, such as atmospheric oscillations in the Indian Ocean, could have a greater influence on the climate here.
Singapore is located between the Indian Ocean, located to the west of the country, and the Pacific Ocean, to the east.
“Watch out for the potential Pacific La Niña and associated wetter regional weather in the next two months (October-November),” he added.
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.
