We all know that the haze is back.
Apart from blurry scenery, dry eyes and scratchy throats, those with more sensitive noses may have detected faint burning smells in the air.
While the air quality hasn’t been too bad over the past few days, the haze may return soon this weekend.
Here is more about the haze advisory in Singapore.
Haze Could Be Back This Weekend
If you haven’t heard that the haze is back, you must be living under a rock.
If you do know about the haze but just emerged from under the rock and need a quick refresher about what’s up with the haze, watch this video.
Over the weekend, you may still see the haze when you look out of the window.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) announced today that dry conditions are expected to “persist” over this weekend.
This means that there “is a chance of transboundary haze affecting Singapore over the weekend if the haze situation escalates and the prevailing winds shift to blow from the south or southwest”.
The dry conditions in the region have been persisting for some time now.
Which, obviously, has not helped decrease the number of hotspots in our neighbouring Sumatra.
There are a total of 174 hotspots detected by NEA today, concentrated in the southern and central parts of Sumatra.
This number is more than double that of yesterday when only 66 hotspots were detected.
While the haze may come back, the slight silver lining is that you can use that as an excuse to skip your usual weekend outdoor exercise.
With the haze, the NEA advises that people watch their physical activity based on their health status.
You can also use the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) levels announced by the NEA as a gauge of the safety of exercising outdoors.
If you see the air quality going into the “unhealthy” range, which is when PSI levels exceed 100, perhaps think twice before you head out.
We’re no doctors, but if your exercise is for a short period of time or is only of low intensity, then some slight haze may not need to deter you from your workout.
Of course, hitting up indoor gyms is always an option for those who can’t give up their muscles for any reason.
For more information or to track the haze situation, you can visit the NEA haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow NEA on their social media platforms.