By The Diary desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
It rains in Singapore every month; what changes is when and how. The year runs through two monsoons, northeast from December to March and southwest from June to September, with an inter-monsoon period between each. April is the warmest month, January the coolest and November the wettest. Most days range from lows of 23 to 26°C to highs of 31 to 34°C.
Quick facts
- The northeast monsoon runs December to March; the southwest monsoon runs June to September.
- April is the warmest month, January the coolest and November the wettest.
- February has the fewest rain days.
- Thunderstorms fall on about 40 per cent of days.
- The record high is 37.0°C, reached in 1983 and again in 2023.
- Sunrise and sunset are around 7am and 7pm all year.
Month by month
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December–January | Northeast monsoon, wet phase | Frequent, longer spells of rain; the coolest months |
| February–early March | Northeast monsoon, dry phase | The fewest rain days of the year |
| Late March–May | Inter-monsoon | Hot and still, with afternoon and evening storms; April is the warmest month |
| June–September | Southwest monsoon | Hotter and drier, with early-morning squalls and a risk of haze |
| October–November | Inter-monsoon | Afternoon and evening storms; November has the most rain days |
When is it hottest?
In April and May, when strong sun and light winds combine. On 13 May 2023, Ang Mo Kio recorded 37.0°C, tying Singapore’s highest temperature on record, first set on 17 April 1983. That May had nine days at 35°C or above.
When is it wettest?
November has the most rain days and February the fewest. Singapore averages about 2,342mm of rain a year.
What’s a Sumatra squall?
A line of thunderstorms that builds over Sumatra overnight and usually reaches Singapore in the early morning. It brings a couple of hours of heavy rain, followed by grey skies and lighter showers.
When does the haze come?
When smoke from forest fires in the region is carried over by the winds, usually in the drier southwest monsoon months. In October 2023, air quality in parts of Singapore dropped into the Unhealthy range. The haze guide on this desk covers what the readings mean.
How to plan around it
- Be outdoors before 9am or after 5pm.
- In the inter-monsoon months, do hikes in the morning and be off exposed ground by mid-afternoon.
- If thunder rolls, leave open fields, beaches and the water.
- Carry more water than you think you need, all year.
The WahLiao Verdict
There’s no bad month here, only bad hours. Walk early, keep afternoons for museums, and in the inter-monsoon months, be off the hill before the storm.
Questions people ask
What’s the driest time of year?
February to early March; February has the fewest rain days.
Does Singapore have a winter?
No. January is the coolest month, with lows in the low 20s.
Has it ever been cold?
The lowest temperature on record is 19.4°C, in January 1934.
Is there a best month to visit?
February and March for drier days; April and May if you can handle the heat.
Sources: NEA, 2023 Annual Climate Assessment; NEA, advisory on May 2023 temperatures; Guide Me Singapore, climate summary of NEA records; 12Go on Sumatra squalls; Radical Storage on daylight hours.
Read next: The Haze in Singapore · Ferries to Pulau Ubin and the Southern Islands · Nature Reserve Rules in Singapore · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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