More thundery showers expected in the first half of May: Met Service
More thundery showers are expected in the first half of May, said the Meteorological Service Singapore in an advisory on Tuesday (Apr 30).
It is expected to be hot as well, as May is one of the warmest months of the year.
"On a few days, the heat can be sweltering as the daily maximum temperature could reach around the high end of the 35 degrees Celsius range when there is little or no rainfall," the Met Service said.
The daily temperature for most days is forecast to range between 25 and 34 degrees Celsius.
Due to the strong solar heating of land areas during the day, short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected in the afternoon on four to six days. This could extend into the evening on some days.
On three or five days in the second week, Sumatra squalls could bring widespread thundery showers with gusty winds in the predawn and morning.
Overall, rainfall for the next two weeks is likely to be near-normal over most parts of Singapore, the advisory said, adding that May also has one of the highest number of lightning days in the year.
In its review of weather conditions in April, the Met Service said more than half of April experienced daily maximum temperatures exceeding 34 degree Celsius.
The highest daily maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius was recorded on Apr 17 at Paya Lebar. This is close to thehighest recorded daily maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius for April in 1983.
Source: CNA/na(mi/gs)
Thursday, 2 May 2019
Durian season set to start in May, with peak hitting in June
Durian season set to start in May, with peak hitting in June
Durian sellers The New Paper spoke to predict the season will be in full swing only sometime in June.PHOTO: AFP
The durian season is expected to begin as early as next month. Durians from Malaysia are already trickling into Singapore, though the best ones are yet to arrive.
Durian sellers The New Paper spoke to predict the season will be in full swing only sometime in June.
Mr Ooi Meng Lee, 57, owner of 211 House of Durian, said: "The peak of the durian season this year will be in June. That is when the quality of the durians will be the best."
Echoing this assessment, the owner of Durian Culture, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim, said the season is divided into three phases.
The first, the early harvest phase, is expected over much of the next two months.
Phase two may begin around mid-June and go on till August.
The Straits Times reported that prices of durian have fallen by as much as 40 per cent.
Ms Lim, 40, added: "I would recommend that durian lovers buy from mid-June to August. The supply of durians is greater, which means consumers get to choose better quality."
After that comes phase three. Although durians will still be harvested, Ms Lim said they are likely to have been on the trees for a long time. The quality may no longer be so good.
Prices are naturally expected to fall with the increase in supply.
As for the types of the fruit entering the country, Mr Goh Kwee Leng, 67, owner of Durian Mpire by 717, said Singaporeans can expect to see a huge variety from Malaysia next month, including Mao Shan Wang, D13, D24 and XO durians.
He told TNP: "Mao Shan Wang durians usually fall from the trees first, whereas D24 ones drop slightly later."
~Straits Times~
Durian sellers The New Paper spoke to predict the season will be in full swing only sometime in June.PHOTO: AFP
The durian season is expected to begin as early as next month. Durians from Malaysia are already trickling into Singapore, though the best ones are yet to arrive.
Durian sellers The New Paper spoke to predict the season will be in full swing only sometime in June.
Mr Ooi Meng Lee, 57, owner of 211 House of Durian, said: "The peak of the durian season this year will be in June. That is when the quality of the durians will be the best."
Echoing this assessment, the owner of Durian Culture, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim, said the season is divided into three phases.
The first, the early harvest phase, is expected over much of the next two months.
Phase two may begin around mid-June and go on till August.
The Straits Times reported that prices of durian have fallen by as much as 40 per cent.
Ms Lim, 40, added: "I would recommend that durian lovers buy from mid-June to August. The supply of durians is greater, which means consumers get to choose better quality."
After that comes phase three. Although durians will still be harvested, Ms Lim said they are likely to have been on the trees for a long time. The quality may no longer be so good.
Prices are naturally expected to fall with the increase in supply.
As for the types of the fruit entering the country, Mr Goh Kwee Leng, 67, owner of Durian Mpire by 717, said Singaporeans can expect to see a huge variety from Malaysia next month, including Mao Shan Wang, D13, D24 and XO durians.
He told TNP: "Mao Shan Wang durians usually fall from the trees first, whereas D24 ones drop slightly later."
~Straits Times~
Geylang Serai to be awash in festive lights and colourful installations for Ramadan
Geylang Serai to be awash in festive lights and colourful installations for Ramadan
Close to 50 light installations bearing symbols associated with Malay culture and Islam will stretch 1.8km along Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
With the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan just days away, the streets of Geylang Serai will be enveloped in festive lights and installations to bring the "kampung spirit" to life.
Close to 50 light installations bearing symbols associated with Malay culture and Islam will stretch 1.8km along Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue, from Friday (May 3) to June 16.
Hari Raya Puasa falls on June 5 this year, and Sunday night is the start of Ramadan.
A giant kaleidoscope installation shaped like a star and emblazoned with Islamic and Greek motifs will be propped up at Onan Road. At Sims Avenue, the start of the light-up, visitors will be greeted by a 15.4m arch bearing a 3D mosque featuring golden domes, minarets and floral patterns.
Along Changi Road, an equally tall 3D arch will feature a kampung house, a gendang - a traditional Malay drum - and a crescent moon and star, symbols of Islam.
There will be smaller arches featuring crescent moons, stars and batik patterns along the streets. A key element on all the arches is the butterfly, which holds a special meaning for Malays.
"The butterfly is synonymous with making friends and forming friendships. In Malay culture, if a butterfly lands on you, it is supposed to be good luck," said Marine Parade GRC MP Fatimah Lateef, who spoke to reporters during a media briefing yesterday.
Rental per stall will be capped at $14,000, following feedback from operators who had raised concerns about rents climbing to as high as $20,000 in 2018.
Lower rentals and all halal food at Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar this year
"If a butterfly flies into your home, it is a belief that visitors are expected. Similarly, with the butterfly theme, we hope that people will come to visit Geylang Serai during this period."
On Friday, President Halimah Yacob will launch the Hari Raya Light Up at Wisma Geylang Serai. She will be joined by Associate Professor Fatimah and Mayor of South-East district Maliki Osman.
Guest artistes Hady Mirza, Junainah M. Amin, Nuradee Brothers and local band The Purnamas will perform a medley of 1960s Malay songs at the launch.
The popular Hari Raya Bazaar in Geylang Serai will also start welcoming customers on Friday. Spanning across Wisma Geylang Serai, Geylang Road and Engku Aman Road, the bazaar will have between 500 and 700 stalls, with 60 per cent of the food stalls, and 80 per cent of the non-food stalls, offering traditional Hari Raya goods.
Stall rental costs will be capped at $14,000 this year.
During Ramadan, Geylang Serai will also host a number of community activities such as the annual Cultural Heritage Race on May 18.
Teams of three consisting of Singaporeans and new immigrants will take to the Geylang Serai Heritage Trail while finding out more about Hari Raya and the Malay community.
On June 2, there will be a 12-hour-long ketupat-making session where participants will weave ketupat shells, used for wrapping a parcel of cooked rice. The shells will be auctioned, and proceeds will go towards supporting the needy.
Ms Nazeerah Ahamad, 28, who visits the Hari Raya Bazaar weekly during the Ramadan month, said she looks forward to more traditional food options this year.
"I can't wait to snack on the grilled sausages and kueh while shopping at the bazaar. With more traditional food and products, the bazaar will have a nostalgic vibe as well," said the administrative executive.
"Since the rents are lower this year, I am guessing the food will be cheaper. Taking a picture against the backdrop of the beautiful lights is also a must."
~Straits Times~
Close to 50 light installations bearing symbols associated with Malay culture and Islam will stretch 1.8km along Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
With the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan just days away, the streets of Geylang Serai will be enveloped in festive lights and installations to bring the "kampung spirit" to life.
Close to 50 light installations bearing symbols associated with Malay culture and Islam will stretch 1.8km along Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue, from Friday (May 3) to June 16.
Hari Raya Puasa falls on June 5 this year, and Sunday night is the start of Ramadan.
A giant kaleidoscope installation shaped like a star and emblazoned with Islamic and Greek motifs will be propped up at Onan Road. At Sims Avenue, the start of the light-up, visitors will be greeted by a 15.4m arch bearing a 3D mosque featuring golden domes, minarets and floral patterns.
Along Changi Road, an equally tall 3D arch will feature a kampung house, a gendang - a traditional Malay drum - and a crescent moon and star, symbols of Islam.
There will be smaller arches featuring crescent moons, stars and batik patterns along the streets. A key element on all the arches is the butterfly, which holds a special meaning for Malays.
"The butterfly is synonymous with making friends and forming friendships. In Malay culture, if a butterfly lands on you, it is supposed to be good luck," said Marine Parade GRC MP Fatimah Lateef, who spoke to reporters during a media briefing yesterday.
Rental per stall will be capped at $14,000, following feedback from operators who had raised concerns about rents climbing to as high as $20,000 in 2018.
Lower rentals and all halal food at Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar this year
"If a butterfly flies into your home, it is a belief that visitors are expected. Similarly, with the butterfly theme, we hope that people will come to visit Geylang Serai during this period."
On Friday, President Halimah Yacob will launch the Hari Raya Light Up at Wisma Geylang Serai. She will be joined by Associate Professor Fatimah and Mayor of South-East district Maliki Osman.
Guest artistes Hady Mirza, Junainah M. Amin, Nuradee Brothers and local band The Purnamas will perform a medley of 1960s Malay songs at the launch.
The popular Hari Raya Bazaar in Geylang Serai will also start welcoming customers on Friday. Spanning across Wisma Geylang Serai, Geylang Road and Engku Aman Road, the bazaar will have between 500 and 700 stalls, with 60 per cent of the food stalls, and 80 per cent of the non-food stalls, offering traditional Hari Raya goods.
Stall rental costs will be capped at $14,000 this year.
During Ramadan, Geylang Serai will also host a number of community activities such as the annual Cultural Heritage Race on May 18.
Teams of three consisting of Singaporeans and new immigrants will take to the Geylang Serai Heritage Trail while finding out more about Hari Raya and the Malay community.
On June 2, there will be a 12-hour-long ketupat-making session where participants will weave ketupat shells, used for wrapping a parcel of cooked rice. The shells will be auctioned, and proceeds will go towards supporting the needy.
Ms Nazeerah Ahamad, 28, who visits the Hari Raya Bazaar weekly during the Ramadan month, said she looks forward to more traditional food options this year.
"I can't wait to snack on the grilled sausages and kueh while shopping at the bazaar. With more traditional food and products, the bazaar will have a nostalgic vibe as well," said the administrative executive.
"Since the rents are lower this year, I am guessing the food will be cheaper. Taking a picture against the backdrop of the beautiful lights is also a must."
~Straits Times~
Monday, 29 April 2019
Sunday, 21 April 2019
Firefly resumes flights to Singapore as first plane lands at Seletar Airport
Malaysian carrier Firefly resumes flights to Singapore as first plane lands at Seletar Airport
Firefly flight FY3126 gets a ceremonial water cannon salute after it lands at Seletar Airport on Sunday April 21, 2019. (Photo: Lip Kwok Wai)
Malaysian budget carrier Firefly's first flight to Seletar Airport touched down at 10.53am on Sunday (Apr 21).
Flight FY3126 from Subang Airport landed as the airline resumed services to Singapore after five months due to an airspace dispute between Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan welcomed his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke who was on board the flight.
There will be two Firefly flights a day between Subang and Seletar Airports from Apr 22 to 28, followed thereafter by six daily flights.
Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan welcomes his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke who arrived at Seletar Airport on the Firefly flight. (Photo: Lip Kwok Wai)
The airline had suspended its flights to Singapore in December last year after failing to obtain approval from Malaysia’s aviation regulator to move its operations form Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.
Malaysia had opposed the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures in use at Seletar Airport, saying it restricted the construction of tall buildings at Johor's Pasir Gudang.
However, Singapore has said that the ILS simply puts on paper the existing flight paths, making safety rules clearer and more transparent. Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) has also said that the procedures do not impose any additional impact on other airspace users as well as businesses and residents in Johor.
After months of negotiations, Malaysia suspended its permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang indefinitely, while Singapore withdrew the ILS procedures at Seletar Airport, paving the way for Firefly to resume operations.
The ILS procedure refers to an assisted navigational aviation facility at the airport which provides vertical and horizontal guidance to pilots while the flight is descending and approaching the runway.
ILS would have allowed pilots to land in all weather conditions, even when visibility is low. It had been put in place at the request of Firefly.
Singapore and Malaysia will instead work together to develop GPS-based instrument approach procedures for Seletar Airport.
Before the suspension, Firefly offered 20 daily flights between Singapore and Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Source: CNA/mn
Firefly flight FY3126 gets a ceremonial water cannon salute after it lands at Seletar Airport on Sunday April 21, 2019. (Photo: Lip Kwok Wai)
Malaysian budget carrier Firefly's first flight to Seletar Airport touched down at 10.53am on Sunday (Apr 21).
Flight FY3126 from Subang Airport landed as the airline resumed services to Singapore after five months due to an airspace dispute between Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan welcomed his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke who was on board the flight.
There will be two Firefly flights a day between Subang and Seletar Airports from Apr 22 to 28, followed thereafter by six daily flights.
Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan welcomes his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke who arrived at Seletar Airport on the Firefly flight. (Photo: Lip Kwok Wai)
The airline had suspended its flights to Singapore in December last year after failing to obtain approval from Malaysia’s aviation regulator to move its operations form Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.
Malaysia had opposed the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures in use at Seletar Airport, saying it restricted the construction of tall buildings at Johor's Pasir Gudang.
However, Singapore has said that the ILS simply puts on paper the existing flight paths, making safety rules clearer and more transparent. Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) has also said that the procedures do not impose any additional impact on other airspace users as well as businesses and residents in Johor.
After months of negotiations, Malaysia suspended its permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang indefinitely, while Singapore withdrew the ILS procedures at Seletar Airport, paving the way for Firefly to resume operations.
The ILS procedure refers to an assisted navigational aviation facility at the airport which provides vertical and horizontal guidance to pilots while the flight is descending and approaching the runway.
ILS would have allowed pilots to land in all weather conditions, even when visibility is low. It had been put in place at the request of Firefly.
Singapore and Malaysia will instead work together to develop GPS-based instrument approach procedures for Seletar Airport.
Before the suspension, Firefly offered 20 daily flights between Singapore and Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Source: CNA/mn
Thursday, 18 April 2019
More wet and warm weather expected in last two weeks of April
More wet and warm weather expected in last two weeks of April
The weather here is set to continue to be wet and warm in the next two weeks, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on Tuesday (April 16).
The prevailing inter-monsoon conditions in Singapore and the surrounding region are also expected to persist through May.
During the inter-monsoon period, low-level winds are generally light and variable in direction, said the MSS.
Strong solar heating of land areas also occur more frequently during this period.
Coupled with the convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity, the two factors lead to brief thundery showers with high lightning activity, usually in the afternoon.
In the second half of April, moderate to heavy short thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon on six to eight days.
On one to two days, Sumatra squalls could bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the morning.
The rainfall for April is expected to be near normal levels, said the MSS.
More rainy days are expected in the next two weeks as compared to the last two weeks of March.
The next two weeks are also expected to be warm, with the daily temperature on most days forecast to range between 25 deg C and 34 deg C, similar to what was experienced during the first two weeks of the month.
On a few afternoons, the daily maximum temperature could reach 35 deg C.
During the first half of April, light winds and strong solar heating of land areas led to thunderstorm clouds forming on most days. Intense, short thundery showers fell over many areas in the afternoon on some days.
Last Wednesday, thundery showers over the Tai Seng area in the late afternoon recorded 71.4mm of rain, the highest total rainfall in a day for the first two weeks of April.
On a few days in early April, the winds blew from the south-west or west, and Sumatra squalls moved over Singapore in the pre-dawn hours and early morning, bringing widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over many areas of the island.
A wind gust of 75.6kmh in Pasir Panjang during a passing squall on April 3 was the highest recorded wind gust for this month so far, said the MSS.
Despite the wet weather, there were several days with very warm weather in the first half of April. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 36 deg C in Admiralty on April 7.
On most days, the daily temperature ranged between 24 deg C and 34 deg C.
More than two-thirds of the island received below-normal rainfall in the first fortnight of April.
The Fortnightly Weather Outlook, a Web video series on the National Environment Agency's YouTube channel, is available for those interested to learn more about the weather conditions Singapore is experiencing.
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
The weather here is set to continue to be wet and warm in the next two weeks, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on Tuesday (April 16).
The prevailing inter-monsoon conditions in Singapore and the surrounding region are also expected to persist through May.
During the inter-monsoon period, low-level winds are generally light and variable in direction, said the MSS.
Strong solar heating of land areas also occur more frequently during this period.
Coupled with the convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity, the two factors lead to brief thundery showers with high lightning activity, usually in the afternoon.
In the second half of April, moderate to heavy short thundery showers are expected between the late morning and afternoon on six to eight days.
On one to two days, Sumatra squalls could bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the morning.
The rainfall for April is expected to be near normal levels, said the MSS.
More rainy days are expected in the next two weeks as compared to the last two weeks of March.
The next two weeks are also expected to be warm, with the daily temperature on most days forecast to range between 25 deg C and 34 deg C, similar to what was experienced during the first two weeks of the month.
On a few afternoons, the daily maximum temperature could reach 35 deg C.
During the first half of April, light winds and strong solar heating of land areas led to thunderstorm clouds forming on most days. Intense, short thundery showers fell over many areas in the afternoon on some days.
Last Wednesday, thundery showers over the Tai Seng area in the late afternoon recorded 71.4mm of rain, the highest total rainfall in a day for the first two weeks of April.
On a few days in early April, the winds blew from the south-west or west, and Sumatra squalls moved over Singapore in the pre-dawn hours and early morning, bringing widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over many areas of the island.
A wind gust of 75.6kmh in Pasir Panjang during a passing squall on April 3 was the highest recorded wind gust for this month so far, said the MSS.
Despite the wet weather, there were several days with very warm weather in the first half of April. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 36 deg C in Admiralty on April 7.
On most days, the daily temperature ranged between 24 deg C and 34 deg C.
More than two-thirds of the island received below-normal rainfall in the first fortnight of April.
The Fortnightly Weather Outlook, a Web video series on the National Environment Agency's YouTube channel, is available for those interested to learn more about the weather conditions Singapore is experiencing.
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Foreigners leaving Singapore no longer need passports stamped
Foreigners leaving Singapore no longer need passports stamped from April 22
Foreigners leaving Singapore will no longer need to have their passports stamped from next Monday (April 22).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday that it would "cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements", meaning stamps of departure dates on travel documents, from April 22.
This is part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and make clearing departure immigration more efficient, it added.
Since September 2016, foreign travellers whose fingerprints were enrolled via the BioScreen system upon their arrival into Singapore have been able to use automated lanes when they leave the country.
Such travellers do not receive stamps on their passports.
Before that, all foreigners departing Singapore had to get their passports stamped with the date of their departure by immigration officers at the manned counters.
The ICA said it would also be informing foreign authorities on its move to cease departure immigration endorsement for foreigners.
More information can be found at www.ica.gov.sg
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Foreigners leaving Singapore will no longer need to have their passports stamped from next Monday (April 22).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday that it would "cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements", meaning stamps of departure dates on travel documents, from April 22.
This is part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and make clearing departure immigration more efficient, it added.
Since September 2016, foreign travellers whose fingerprints were enrolled via the BioScreen system upon their arrival into Singapore have been able to use automated lanes when they leave the country.
Such travellers do not receive stamps on their passports.
Before that, all foreigners departing Singapore had to get their passports stamped with the date of their departure by immigration officers at the manned counters.
The ICA said it would also be informing foreign authorities on its move to cease departure immigration endorsement for foreigners.
More information can be found at www.ica.gov.sg
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
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