West Singapore
Pioneer weather
Far-west industrial estate. Exposed to squalls coming off the Strait of Malacca.
How rain usually arrives here
Pioneer is far west and industrial. Squalls off the Malacca Strait hit here among the first mainland points. Winds are more exposed than in a dense heartland estate. The 240 km radar is the right tool.
Open the 240 km radar if a line is over the Strait. The 50 km view of an empty island is too late once the squall is already over Tuas.
West Singapore
Western towns are first in line when a Sumatra squall crosses the Strait of Malacca. Rain often arrives before dawn or in the morning, then clears as the line races east. Over a year this side of the island is wetter than the east coast.
How a Sumatra squall crosses the island
A line of storms that forms over Sumatra, then rides southwest monsoon flow across the Strait. Typical window is 2am to 10am, June to September.
1. Strait
Watch 240 km radar
A solid line west of Tuas is the tell. The 50 km view is still empty at this point.
2. West
Tuas, Jurong, Choa Chu Kang
First landfall. Wind jump, brief heavy rain, then it keeps moving.
3. Central
Bukit Timah, Toa Payoh, City
Often 30 to 60 minutes after the west. Not every line still has punch here.
4. East
Tampines, Bedok, Changi
Last to arrive, often weaker. Some squalls die over the catchment before they get here.