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Singapore is forecast to be rainy and cool in early January, with lows of 23°C on some days, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).

The rainy weather will likely ease in the second week of January.

Lower daily temperatures

The rainy weather in early January is likely to result in lower daily temperatures of between 23°C and 31°C on a few days.

For the rest of the fortnight, the daily temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 33°C.

Localised short-duration thundery showers can still be expected in the afternoon on several days. Warm and occasionally windy conditions with passing showers can also be expected on a few days.

The daily maximum temperature may still reach a high of up to 34°C on some days.

Overall, the rainfall for the first half of January 2022 is expected to be slightly above average over most parts of the island.

Cooler conditions with occasional thundery showers

The strengthening of the high-pressure system at the beginning of the new year is expected to bring a surge of north-easterly winds (or monsoon surge) over the South China Sea.

The surge will last for a few days and will likely bring cooler conditions with occasional spells of moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity.

Thereafter, localised thundery showers are forecast in the afternoon.

What is a monsoon surge?

High pressure systems (where the air mass above the Earth is denser than in the surrounding areas) often develop over continental northern Asia, bringing about cold air over the northern Asian landmass.

A Northeast Monsoon surge refers to a surge of cold air moving towards the South China Sea after a sudden increase in wind speed.

The cold air warms and gathers moisture in the southern hemisphere, forming rain clouds over the equatorial region.

With a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, there can be moderate to heavy rain in coastal regions of Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

Singapore experiences two to four monsoon surges a year. This is the first monsoon surge experienced by Singapore during this northeast monsoon season.

A monsoon surge can last between one and five days, bringing widespread and continuous moderate to heavy rain to Singapore.

Sometimes, it can come with breaks of cloudy or overcast conditions.

You can read more about this weather system from the Meteorological Service Singapore's website.

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Top image by Mothership.