Mercury in S'pore hits 36.8 deg C in April, second-highest temperature on record
Weather experts say Singapore is not in the grips of a heatwave, and that the temperatures seen are not outside the norm. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
SINGAPORE - Weeks of sweltering heat in Singapore saw the mercury race past 34 deg C several times in the past six weeks, and hit the second-highest temperature on record last month.
Weather experts say the Republic is not in the grips of a heatwave, adding that the temperatures seen are also not outside the norm.
But it will get hotter for Singapore and the rest of the world, with climate change making its presence felt.
Typically, the months of April and May are warmer for the country owing to inter-monsoon conditions, which are characterised by strong heating from the sun and light variable winds, National Environment Agency's Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) told The Straits Times.
This week, the mercury hit 35.6 deg C at Paya Lebar and Marina Barrage between 2pm and 3pm on Tuesday, it said.
Temperatures have stayed high in recent weeks even with a natural climate phenomenon called La Nina, which has been bringing cooler and wetter weather to South-east Asia since late 2020.
Despite warmer weather due to the current inter-monsoon period, the threshold for declaring a heatwave has not been breached, MSS noted.
A heatwave in Singapore occurs when the daily maximum temperature is at least 35 deg C on three consecutive days, and the daily mean temperature throughout the period is at least 29 deg C, said MSS.
Based on past records, the nation experiences one to two heatwaves per decade, it added. The last heatwave occurred in April 2016.
But there was some relief in April with higher-than-usual rainfall.
Despite maximum temperatures soaring past 34 deg C for nearly half of April, thundery showers during the month helped to moderate the overall temperature, making it the third-coolest April in the last 10 years, said MSS.
About half of the island was drenched by above-normal rainfall for that month.
Weather and climate scientist Koh Tieh Yong from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said the conditions in April are within normal climatic variations.
From: ST Editor's Picks <editorspicks@edm.straitstimes.com> Date: 6 May 2022 at 3:33:12 PM SGT To: changchengliang@gmail.com Subject:Is S'pore facing a recession risk? | The US, divided within, needs to reinvent itself: Harvard's Graham Allison
Newsletter
Dear ST reader, In his May Day Rally speech on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned of economic challenges ahead for Singaporeans this year. These include slower growth and a possible recession as Russia's war in Ukraine and China's Covid-19 lockdowns roil global supply chains and push up prices. Senior correspondent Ovais Subhani speaks to experts on the issue. Also, look back on our tips on how to save costs during this time. Meanwhile, parents with questions about their child's PSLE preparation can get them answered at an upcoming ST forum. It is free for those who are ST subscribers. If you are not one yet and wish to sign up for the forum, do subscribe. You can do both here. I wish you a good weekend. Thank you for reading The Straits Times.
If this e-mail is not displayed properly, click here.
In his May Day Rally speech on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned of economic challenges ahead for Singaporeans this year. These include slower growth and a possible recession as Russia's war in Ukraine and China's Covid-19 lockdowns roil global supply chains and push up prices.
Meanwhile, parents with questions about their child's PSLE preparation can get them answered at an upcoming ST forum. It is free for those who are ST subscribers. If you are not one yet and wish to sign up for the forum, do subscribe. You can do both here.
I wish you a good weekend. Thank you for reading The Straits Times.
Bentley driver forces his way through Red Swastika School gate, pushes security guard backwards with car - Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world
[Update on Jan. 11, 4:35pm: The Union of Security Employees (USE) has updated its Facebook post to indicate that the driver had a valid label to enter the school, but cut the queue of waiting cars. It previously stated that the driver did not have a valid car label.]
A Bentley driver has found himself a national topic after attempting to force his way into a school, even driving his vehicle into a security guard in the process.
A video of the incident was circulated on social media on the morning of Jan. 11.
Driver drives into security guard
Video via Mothership reader.
The incident took place at Red Swastika School.
In the 20-second clip, a woman was seen arguing with a male school staff, before entering the passenger seat of the car.
Meanwhile, the school security guard blocks the vehicle's way by standing flush against the front bumper of the car.
However, the driver starts moving forward, pushing the security guard backwards—even while the woman was getting into the car.
The security guard leans his knees onto the car's bumper as he is forced to walk backwards, but the driver was undeterred and speeds up slightly.
The security guard almost falls, putting his weight against the car hood to regain balance, with the other hand on his thigh.
The guard then waves for other pedestrians to cross the road.
Invalid car plate
According to online reports, the car is a white Bentley driven by a man aged between 50 and 60.
The man apparently insisted on entering the school with an invalid car plate, and threatened to run down the security guard.
The driver held up traffic for 15 minutes, and the staff supposedly gave up arguing with the man and let him onto the premises.
His car plate number, seen in other screen captures of the incident, is not found on the OneMotoring website.
Screenshot via OneMotoring LTA.
Looking into the matter
Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing put up a Facebook post saying that the ministry is looking into the case and "will not hesitate to make a police report if warranted".
When Mothership went down to Red Swastika School at around 12:30pm, the situation was calm, and a different security guard who was on duty declined to comment further.
Mothership has reached out to the school for a comment.
Related stories
Follow and listen to our podcast here
Top images by Syahindah Ishak and Mothership reader.
Video via Mothership reader. 
Screenshot via OneMotoring LTA.