Singapore residents enjoyed an unusually cool day on June 12 after persistent rainfall sent temperatures plunging to their lowest level recorded this year.
According to weather data, the mercury dipped to 20.1°C at the Newton weather station shortly before 1pm, marking the lowest temperature recorded across the island so far in 2026.
The previous lowest temperature of the year was 20.3°C, which was also recorded at the Newton station earlier in February.
For many Singaporeans accustomed to the country’s hot and humid climate, the cooler conditions provided a rare opportunity to break out sweaters and jackets.
Heavy Rainfall Sweeps Across The Island
The cooler weather followed several hours of intense rainfall that affected multiple parts of Singapore throughout the morning.
Dark clouds blanketed the skies as heavy showers drenched much of the island until around noon. The downpour was significant enough for national water agency PUB to issue flash flood risk alerts for areas including Balestier and Paya Lebar.
Weather authorities also warned of heavy rain over several regions, including central, eastern, western and southern Singapore.
Photos and videos shared online showed gloomy skies, reduced visibility and large rain clouds moving across the island.
Many social media users welcomed the temporary relief from the recent spell of hot weather that has dominated Singapore’s climate in recent weeks.
Sharp Contrast To Recent Heatwave Conditions
The sudden drop in temperature comes just days after some parts of Singapore recorded temperatures exceeding 35°C.
The highest temperature recorded so far in June reached 35.1°C on Pulau Ubin on June 6, meaning Singapore experienced a temperature swing of approximately 15 degrees within a week.
The cooler conditions are expected to be temporary, however, with meteorologists warning that warmer and drier weather remains likely in the coming months.
El Niño Expected To Bring More Hot Weather
Weather experts have previously forecast that Singapore could experience hotter and drier conditions between June and October due to the combined effects of El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole.
El Niño is a climate pattern that causes warming of sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean. The phenomenon can significantly influence weather patterns across Southeast Asia, often resulting in reduced rainfall and higher temperatures.
Meanwhile, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole is expected to develop later in the year, which could further contribute to dry weather conditions across Singapore and neighbouring countries.
These climate patterns may also increase the risk of regional haze during the second half of the year.
Singaporeans Enjoy Brief Taste Of “Sweater Weather”
Despite forecasts of warmer months ahead, many residents took the opportunity to enjoy the rare cool weather while it lasted.
The combination of dark skies, continuous rainfall and temperatures hovering around 20°C created conditions more commonly associated with temperate countries than tropical Singapore.
While the cooler spell is unlikely to last long, it offered a welcome break from the heat and humidity that typically characterise daily life in the Republic.