Singapore weather month by month: rain, heat, and what to expect
What is the weather like in Singapore each month?
Singapore is hot (30–32°C) and humid year-round with no real seasons. The driest, most comfortable period runs February to April and June to September. November is the wettest month (~320 mm). August to October is haze season. June is the hottest month. December and January are wet but festive. There is no bad month to visit — just wetter or smokier ones.
Understanding Singapore’s climate
Singapore is 1.3 degrees north of the Equator. This means no spring, no autumn, no winter — only tropical heat, high humidity, and rain patterns shaped by two annual monsoon systems. Every month is warm. Every month has some rain. The differences between months are real but more nuanced than European seasonal variation.
The two monsoon systems:
Northeast Monsoon (November to March): Moisture-laden winds from the South China Sea bring Singapore’s heaviest rainfall. November is the wettest single month. December and January are also significantly wet. The rain tends to come as prolonged, heavy downpours.
Southwest Monsoon (June to September): Drier conditions arrive from the Indian Ocean. This period is Singapore’s closest equivalent to a dry season — relative to the rest of the year, not by any global standard.
Inter-monsoon (April–May and October): Short transitional periods characterised by afternoon convective thunderstorms — often sudden, intense, and short-lived.
January
Average temperature: 26–30°C
Average rainfall: ~170–200 mm
Rainy days: ~14–16
Monsoon: Northeast (wet period)
January begins the year still under Northeast Monsoon influence. The first two weeks tend to be the wetter half. Heavy downpours, especially in the afternoons and evenings, are common. By the second half of January, conditions start improving and rainfall eases.
What to expect: A quieter, more affordable month to visit. Post-Christmas and New Year crowds thin out. Hotels are cheaper than the festive peak. Chinese New Year preparations begin appearing in Chinatown from mid-January onward (for years when CNY falls in February), adding festive colour. Thaipusam (Tamil Hindu festival) usually falls in late January or early February.
Verdict: Not the best weather month but good value. Fine if you are comfortable with rain and want quieter, more affordable conditions.
February
Average temperature: 26–31°C
Average rainfall: ~129 mm
Rainy days: ~11–12
Monsoon: Northeast (fading) → dry
February is Singapore’s driest month and the single most comfortable for outdoor activities. Mornings are often clear, temperatures feel slightly less oppressive than the peak summer months, and rainfall is well below the annual average.
2026 highlight: Chinese New Year falls on 17–18 February 2026 (Year of the Horse). The River Hongbao festival at Marina Bay, Chinatown light-up, and Chingay Parade make this the most festive month in Singapore’s calendar. See chinese-new-year-singapore for the full guide.
What to expect: The combination of best weather and best festival makes February the optimal month to visit Singapore if timing allows. Book accommodation 2–3 months ahead — CNY weekend sees prices spike and rooms sell out.
Verdict: Best overall month. Book early.
March
Average temperature: 26–32°C
Average rainfall: ~150–180 mm
Rainy days: ~12–14
Monsoon: Transitional
March is a pleasant shoulder month. The Northeast Monsoon has fully passed, the Southwest Monsoon has not yet established, and Singapore enjoys relatively dry and comfortable conditions. Occasional afternoon thunderstorms appear but mornings are reliable.
What to expect: Good conditions for outdoor sightseeing — southern-ridges-henderson-waves, botanic-gardens-guide, macritchie-treetop-walk. Hari Raya Puasa (end of Ramadan) may fall in late March 2026, bringing the Geylang Serai bazaar and Malay food festival atmosphere.
Verdict: Excellent month. Slightly more rain than February but good temperatures and no major weather concern.
April
Average temperature: 27–33°C
Average rainfall: ~160–180 mm
Rainy days: ~13–15
Monsoon: Inter-monsoon
April marks the inter-monsoon transition with afternoon convective thunderstorms becoming more frequent. Mornings remain clear and pleasant, but afternoon outdoor plans need flexibility. Heat intensifies as we approach the year’s hottest period.
What to expect: International school Easter holidays bring families to Singapore. Hotel prices rise slightly. The Great Singapore Sale has not yet started. Good for morning sightseeing, museum days, and indoor attractions in the afternoon.
Verdict: Good but start planning your schedule around morning outdoor time and indoor afternoon fallbacks.
May
Average temperature: 27–33°C
Average rainfall: ~165–185 mm
Rainy days: ~13–15
Monsoon: Inter-monsoon → Southwest
May is hot. Daytime highs reach 33°C or above. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent — the inter-monsoon pattern means sudden heavy rain that often clears within an hour. Vesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) falls in May, with celebrations at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown and across Buddhist communities.
What to expect: Challenging for extended outdoor activities due to heat. Plan for early morning outdoor sightseeing and afternoon air-conditioned attractions. i Light Singapore (Marina Bay light art festival) may run in May or June.
Verdict: Manageable if you plan around the heat. Not the ideal month for outdoor-focused trips.
June
Average temperature: 27–34°C
Average rainfall: ~130–160 mm
Rainy days: ~12–14
Monsoon: Southwest (drier)
June is simultaneously the hottest month (peak daytime temperatures 33–34°C) and one of the drier ones. The Southwest Monsoon reduces rainfall significantly. The Great Singapore Sale runs June to August. School holidays drive family travel demand up.
What to expect: Hot outdoor conditions. Good beach time at Sentosa if you can handle the heat. The Great Singapore Sale offers discounts across Orchard Road and major malls. Universal Studios Singapore is excellent in June if you start early and use the park’s indoor rides and air-conditioned zones strategically.
Verdict: Good for shopping and family travel; challenging for extensive outdoor sightseeing due to extreme heat.
July
Average temperature: 27–33°C
Average rainfall: ~155 mm
Rainy days: ~13
Monsoon: Southwest
July is among Singapore’s drier months. Rain is less frequent than the monsoon peaks. Temperatures remain high but slightly less extreme than June. It is a prime family travel month (Northern Hemisphere summer holidays) so popular attractions are busy.
What to expect: Good overall conditions. Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and outdoor destinations like Pulau Ubin are particularly enjoyable during drier Southwest Monsoon months. Book popular tours ahead.
Verdict: Good month. Pack sun protection and plan outdoor activities for early morning.
August
Average temperature: 27–33°C
Average rainfall: ~155–175 mm
Rainy days: ~13–14
Monsoon: Southwest → haze risk begins
National Day is 9 August. The NDP (National Day Parade) is held at the Padang or The Float@Marina Bay, with fireworks visible from Marina Bay, the Esplanade waterfront, and many rooftop spots around the city. An annual highlight worth planning around.
Haze risk: August marks the start of the haze season, when transboundary smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan fires can drift into Singapore. In good years haze is minimal; in El Niño years it can be significant. Check the NEA PSI index.
Verdict: Good conditions and excellent for National Day atmosphere; monitor haze daily.
September
Average temperature: 27–32°C
Average rainfall: ~165–190 mm
Rainy days: ~14–15
Monsoon: Southwest ending → inter-monsoon
F1 Night Race: The Singapore Grand Prix typically falls in late September. If you are attending, plan everything around race weekend. If you are not, book accommodation outside the Marina Bay/CBD area or visit a week before or after — hotel rates triple during race weekend.
Haze risk peaks. September is historically the worst month for haze, particularly in El Niño years.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival) falls in September or October — lanterns in Chinatown, Gardens by the Bay light displays, and mooncakes everywhere.
Verdict: Weather is manageable but haze and F1 logistics dominate planning. See f1-night-race-guide and haze-season-guide.
October
Average temperature: 26–32°C
Average rainfall: ~170–190 mm
Rainy days: ~14–16
Monsoon: Inter-monsoon (transitional)
October is the inter-monsoon transition back toward the Northeast Monsoon. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent. Haze can still affect Singapore into October in bad years. Deepavali falls in October or November — the Little India light-up and festival preparations are spectacular. See deepavali-singapore.
Verdict: Moderate conditions. Good for culture and festivals; be prepared for afternoon rain and haze.
November
Average temperature: 25–31°C
Average rainfall: ~320 mm**
Rainy days: ~18–20
Monsoon: Northeast (wet)
November is Singapore’s wettest month — not by a small margin. Average rainfall of ~320 mm and around 20 rainy days mean you will encounter significant rain. The rain often comes in extended downpours rather than brief showers, which is more disruptive to outdoor plans.
What to expect: Indoor-focused travel strategy is strongly recommended. This is when Singapore’s world-class museums (national-gallery-guide, artscience-museum-teamlab), air-conditioned hawker centres, and shopping centres come into their own. Hotel prices are lower than most months — a genuine budget advantage.
Verdict: The least pleasant weather month. Good for budget travellers who do not mind rain and want indoor-focused Singapore.
December
Average temperature: 25–30°C
Average rainfall: ~230–260 mm
Rainy days: ~15–17
Monsoon: Northeast (wet)
December is wet but festive. Orchard Road Christmas light-up (Asia’s most famous), Marina Bay’s year-end light displays, and the general celebratory atmosphere make December appealing despite the rain. Singapore’s winters are the rest of the world’s tropical paradise — 25°C nights feel pleasant rather than cold.
What to expect: The most expensive month for accommodation after Chinese New Year. Book 3–4 months ahead for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Rain is frequent but showers often clear, allowing outdoor evening activities. ZoukOut EDM festival at Sentosa typically falls in December.
Verdict: Great atmosphere, poor weather, high prices. Worth it if you embrace the festive season.
Quick comparison at a glance
| Category | When |
|---|---|
| Best for weather | February, March, June, July |
| Best value | January, October, November |
| Most festive | February (CNY), August (National Day), December (Christmas) |
| Avoid if rain-averse | November, December |
| Avoid if haze-sensitive | August–October |
| Family school holidays | June–July, December |
Frequently asked questions about Singapore weather month by month
Is Singapore weather the same throughout the country?
Yes — Singapore is a city-state of roughly 730 km² (smaller than London), so weather is effectively uniform across the island. Slight microclimatic differences exist between the more forested central catchment area (slightly cooler) and the urban CBD (urban heat island effect), but these are minor.
Does rain ruin a Singapore trip?
Rarely, if you plan well. Singapore rain is intense but usually brief (30–60 minutes). Covered walkways, underground MRT connections between attractions, air-conditioned malls, and excellent indoor attractions mean you can move through the city without being constantly exposed. The singapore-in-the-rain guide has specific strategies.
Is the humidity worse at certain times of year?
Humidity is high year-round (70–90%). The monsoon months (November–March) tend to feel slightly more oppressive because of the persistent overcast skies and rain rather than any significant change in humidity percentage. February, being dry and breezy, often feels the most comfortable despite similar humidity readings.
Are outdoor attractions open during heavy rain?
Most outdoor attractions stay technically open during rain. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari continue operating in all but the most extreme conditions. Gardens by the Bay outdoor gardens are accessible in light rain. USS and Adventure Cove have rain policies for specific rides. Always check the weather forecast and have a backup indoor plan.
What is the UV index like in Singapore?
Extremely high year-round — UV index often reaches 10–12 (Extreme category) on clear days. Sunscreen SPF 50+, UV-protective clothing, and hats are important regardless of which month you visit. The equatorial sun burns faster than most visitors expect.
Does Singapore get cold?
No. The coolest Singapore typically gets is around 23–24°C on a rainy night during the Northeast Monsoon. Inside air-conditioned buildings (malls, hotels, restaurants), temperatures are often aggressively cold (20–22°C). Bringing a light layer or cardigan for indoor air-conditioning is genuinely useful.
