Haze Situation Singapore
Regional haze, hotspots & smoke haze forecast
Air Quality
At 8 pm on 6 Sep 2026 · Now 8:33pm SGT
24-hr PSI
71
north
88
central
87
east
76
south
83
west
Moderate
PSI Value — worst region
Highest of the 5 regions (central)
Min
85
Max
88
Current
88
1-hr PM2.5
45
east
44
south
27
north
42
west
65
central
Band 2 — Elevated
1-hr PM2.5 reading (µg/m³) — worst region
Highest of the 5 regions (central)
Min
44
Max
66
Current
65
NEA summary: 24-hour PSI: High Moderate to Low Unhealthy range
When Does Haze Affect Singapore?
Southwest Monsoon
June – September
Traditional haze season. Dry weather over Sumatra and Kalimantan increases fire risk; prevailing winds blow smoke toward Singapore.
Northeast Monsoon
December – March
Rainy season typically suppresses fire activity. Haze is rare during this period, though occasionally volcanic ash can affect visibility.
How Haze Forms & Reaches Singapore
Forest & Land Fires
Fires burn peatland and forests in Sumatra, Kalimantan and other parts of ASEAN.
Smoke Particulates Released
Fine particles (PM2.5) rise from burning vegetation and peat.
Winds Carry Smoke
Prevailing winds transport smoke hundreds of kilometres across the region.
Haze Reaches Singapore
PSI and PM2.5 climb, sometimes into Unhealthy or Hazardous bands.
Current Haze Situation
ASMC Alert Level 3 — severe transboundary haze risk
Updated 6 Sep, 10:58 am SGT
Air Quality
24-hour PSI: High Moderate to Low Unhealthy range
Latest Weather and Haze Situation
Dry conditions were observed over many areas of the southern ASEAN region this morning. Widespread hotspots were detected in the southern parts of Kalimantan. Isolated hotspots were detected in the southern parts of Sumatra and the eastern parts of Java. Moderate to dense smoke haze from Kalimantan was observed to drift north into parts of Sarawak. Moderate smoke plumes drifting north from Sumatra and moderate to dense plumes drifting west from Kalimantan were observed to drift into parts of Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Many air quality stations in Sumatra, Borneo and the southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia reported Unhealthy to Hazardous levels. The hotspot and haze situation could not be fully determined due to some cloud cover over the region. - Meanwhile, over the northern ASEAN region, wet weather was observed to prevail. The hotspot count remained low and no significant smoke plumes were observed.
Weather and Haze Outlook
Over the next few days, showers are forecast to emerge over parts of Borneo with some showers also forecast over the northern parts of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Dry conditions are expected to continue over the rest of the southern ASEAN region. Escalated hotspot and smoke haze activities with a risk of severe transboundary haze occurrences can still happen despite the presence of showers. The prevailing winds over the region are expected to blow from the southeast or south. - Meanwhile, wet weather is forecast to continue over the northern ASEAN region. The hotspot and haze situation in this region is expected to remain subdued. The prevailing winds over the northern region are expected to blow from the southwest or west.
Health Advisory
Healthy persons: If 24 hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24 hr PSI is Unhealthy, reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Elderly, pregnant women & children: If 24 hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24 hr PSI is Unhealthy, minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons with chronic lung/heart disease: If 24 hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If PSI is Unhealthy, avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion.
Narratives and advisories are published by MSS/NEA and the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre. Hotspots are satellite-detected and can be obscured by cloud cover or thick smoke.
Regional Hotspot Monitoring
Satellite-detected hotspots by region in the latest pass (6 Sep, 12:32 am SGT)
| Region | Hotspots detected | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Sumatra | 516 |
|
| Kalimantan | 405 |
|
| Sulawesi | 75 |
|
| Maluku | 52 |
|
| Java | 22 |
|
| Philippines | 20 |
|
| Nusa Tenggara | 20 |
|
| Vietnam | 14 |
|
| Thailand | 12 |
|
| Papua | 12 |
|
| Peninsular Malaysia | 5 |
|
| Malaysia | 4 |
|
| East Timor | 4 |
|
| Irian Jaya | 3 |
|
| Mekong | 1 |
|
| Sabah & Sarawak | 1 |
|
High Alert
Many hotspots across Sumatra or Kalimantan with dry weather and winds blowing toward Singapore.
Monitor
Scattered hotspots with mixed cloud cover or unfavourable wind direction.
Low Risk
Few or no hotspots, or rainy conditions suppressing fire activity.
Major Haze Episodes Affecting Singapore
| Year | Peak 24-hr PSI | Source Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 226 | Sumatra & Kalimantan | One of the worst on record; linked to a strong El Niño and prolonged drought. |
| 2013 | 401 (“PSI record”) | Central Sumatra (Riau) | The “haze crisis”: PSI crossed 400 for the first time, prompting the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. |
| 2015 | 341 | Sumatra & Kalimantan | Another strong El Niño year; studies estimated S$1.8 billion in economic losses in Singapore. |
| 2019 | ~164 | Kalimantan & Sumatra | Mid-September spike; schools scaled back outdoor activities. |
PSI values shown are the peak 24-hour national readings reported by NEA during each episode. The worst episodes typically coincide with strong El Niño years and prolonged dry spells over southern Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Haze Safety Tips
If PSI is Moderate (51–100)
- Normal activities can continue
- Sensitive groups should watch for symptoms
If PSI is Unhealthy (101–200)
- Reduce outdoor physical exertion
- Children, elderly and pregnant women should stay indoors
- Drink plenty of water
If PSI is Very Unhealthy (201–300)
- Avoid outdoor activity
- Wear N95 masks if you must go out
- Use air purifiers indoors
If PSI is Hazardous (> 300)
- Minimise all outdoor activity
- Seal doors and windows
- Seek medical attention if unwell
Related Information
Haze in Singapore — a regional problem
Haze in Singapore is almost always transboundary: smoke from land and forest fires in Sumatra, Kalimantan and other parts of ASEAN is carried to Singapore by prevailing winds. The worst haze episodes — 1997, 2013, 2015 and 2019 — saw the 24-hour PSI climb well into the Hazardous range and disrupted daily life across the island.
What is the haze season in Singapore?
The traditional haze season runs from June to September during the Southwest Monsoon, when dry conditions prevail over southern Sumatra and Kalimantan and prevailing winds blow from the southwest. The Northeast Monsoon (December–March) brings rain and typically suppresses fire activity.
How to monitor the haze situation
Track the regional haze situation using three tools: the 1-hour PM2.5 band on the air quality page for the fastest signal, the 24-hour PSI for the official health advisory, and the ASMC hotspot map for early warning of fires that may affect Singapore in the days ahead.
When will the haze end?
Haze typically eases when rains return to the fire source regions or when prevailing winds shift away from Singapore. The ASMC's daily outlook and the NEA haze advisory give the most reliable guidance on the haze forecast for the coming days.
NEA Weather SG republishes haze guidance based on publicly available data from NEA, MSS and the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre. We are not affiliated with NEA. For official information, visit haze.gov.sg or asmc.asean.org.