Get set for more non-stop rain as another monsoon surge descends

Coastal areas could see more flash flooding this weekend with tides poised to be higher

- Shabana Begum

Another weekend of non-stop, islandwide downpours is expected from Jan 17 to 19 as the year's second monsoon surge descends over the Republic.

Coming just days after the first episode ended on Jan 13, the second monsoon surge may bring windy and cooler conditions with occasional spells of moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore and the vicinity, said the National Environment Agency's (NEA) Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) in its fortnightly weather outlook on Jan 16.

Coastal areas could see more flash flooding during this weekend's monsoon surge, as tides are expected to be higher compared with those during the previous surge.

During periods of seasonal high tides, it is common for low-lying areas along East Coast Park to get flooded even without incessant rain.

On Jan 17, the tides are expected to reach up to 3.2m high in the afternoon, according to information from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, published on NEA's website.

On Jan 18, the tides could reach 3.1m high in the afternoon.

The highest tide during the Jan 10 to 13 monsoon surge was 2.9m.

In a Facebook post on Jan 16, national water agency PUB said high tides coupled with heavy rainfall could result in high water levels in coastal canals.

"PUB will monitor the forecast closely and issue flood warnings as needed," it added.

Temperatures are expected to dip to around 22 deg C on the first few days of the next two weeks, coinciding with the monsoon surge.