Singapore has a tropical climate with hot, humid, and rainy conditions year-round. Sitting just one degree north of the equator, the city-state experiences remarkably stable temperatures, with a long-term annual mean of 27.8°C (82°F). There are no traditional seasons like summer or winter, but the year is shaped by two monsoon periods that shift rainfall patterns noticeably.
Temperature: Hot and Steady All Year
Daily temperatures in Singapore follow a tight, predictable range. The average daily high is about 31.6°C (89°F), and the overnight low sits around 25.0°C (77°F). That means even at night, the air stays warm. Recent readings from 2025 show daily highs averaging 31.8°C and lows of 25.4°C, slightly above the long-term norm.
Extreme temperatures are rare but not unheard of. The highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore was 36.0°C (96.8°F), set in 1998. The lowest was 19.4°C (66.9°F), all the way back in 1934. For most visitors and residents, the real challenge isn’t the peak heat but the combination of heat and humidity, which makes the air feel several degrees warmer than the thermometer reads.
The Two Monsoon Seasons
Singapore’s weather calendar is divided by two monsoons, separated by shorter transition periods called inter-monsoons.
The Northeast Monsoon runs roughly from December to early March and is the wetter of the two. It begins with a wet phase from December to January, bringing afternoon thunderstorms and periodic “monsoon surges,” which are steady strengthening winds blowing from the South China Sea. These surges deliver prolonged, widespread rain lasting two to five days, sometimes with gusty winds and noticeably cooler temperatures. From February to early March, a drier phase sets in with less rain but windier conditions.
The Southwest Monsoon, from June to September, is generally drier overall but comes with a distinctive weather feature: Sumatra squalls. These fast-moving storm lines sweep across from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, typically hitting Singapore overnight or in the early morning. They arrive suddenly with strong gusts of 40 to 80 km/h (and recorded maximums up to 93 km/h), heavy rain, and can last one to two hours before clearing. If you’re woken by a sudden downpour at 5 a.m., it’s likely a Sumatra squall.
The inter-monsoon periods in April to May and October to November tend to bring lighter, more variable winds and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
Rainfall and Humidity
Rain is a constant companion in Singapore. The island receives roughly 2,400 mm (about 94 inches) of rainfall annually, spread across most months of the year. Showers are often intense but short, especially the afternoon thunderstorms common in nearly every season. It’s entirely normal for a heavy downpour to last 30 to 60 minutes and then give way to sunshine.
Humidity stays high year-round, typically between 70% and 90%. Early mornings often feel the most humid, while the midday sun can dry things out slightly before an afternoon storm cycle begins again. Air conditioning is essentially universal in indoor spaces, and most daily life in Singapore is designed around moving between cooled environments.
UV Exposure
Because of Singapore’s equatorial position, UV radiation is strong throughout the year. The UV index commonly reaches “Very High” and “Extreme” levels between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on days with little cloud cover. This four-hour midday window is the most intense period for sun exposure. Overcast skies reduce it somewhat, but cloud cover in Singapore can be unpredictable, shifting from dense to clear within minutes.
The Urban Heat Island Effect
Singapore’s dense urban development amplifies the heat. The city’s built-up areas absorb and retain heat far more than surrounding green or coastal zones. Studies have found that nighttime temperatures in Singapore’s most compact urban areas can be up to 5°C warmer than less developed surroundings. This “urban heat island” effect is one reason nighttime feels stuffy in the city center even when conditions are milder in parks or along the coast. It also explains why stepping from an air-conditioned building onto a downtown street can feel like walking into a wall of heat, especially after sunset.
How Fast Singapore Is Warming
Singapore’s temperatures are rising faster than the global average. Between 1948 and 2024, mean surface air temperature increased by 0.25°C per decade. That’s roughly double the global warming rate of 0.12°C per decade recorded from 1951 to 2012. Over the span of 76 years, that adds up to nearly 2°C of warming, a shift that compounds the already-challenging heat and humidity. The combination of global warming and intensifying urban development means Singapore’s climate is measurably hotter today than it was a generation ago, and the trend is continuing.