Singapore central region air quality returns to unhealthy level as PSI hits 115
Singapore's central region air quality crossed back into the unhealthy range on Sept 26, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index hitting 115 at 11pm, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Source: Straits Times Singapore · September 26, 2026 at 9:02 PM · AI-assisted report
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SINGAPORE, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Singapore's central region air quality crossed back into the unhealthy range on Sept 26, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index hitting 115 at 11pm, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
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The 24-hour PSI reading for the central area reached 104 at 8pm before rising further, crossing the 101 threshold for the first time since Sept 20. At 8pm, readings in the north (74), south (78), east (90) and west (88) remained in the moderate range, though all edged higher by 11pm — north (80), south (84), east (99), west (97) — while staying below 101.
Hourly PM2.5 concentrations were in the elevated band (56–150) across Singapore at 11pm, with the central area logging the highest at 124 after spiking to 131 at 9pm.
NEA's 6pm haze advisory forecast air quality for the next 24 hours in the moderate to low-unhealthy range. While showers are expected overnight and on Sept 27 over Singapore and parts of the region, dry conditions persist over southern Sumatra and southern and eastern Kalimantan. Winds from the south-east or south-west could transport smoke haze to Singapore, the agency said.
The PSI first re-entered the unhealthy range on Sept 4, the first time since October 2023. Central region readings peaked at 154 on Sept 15. NEA advises healthy individuals to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity when air quality turns unhealthy, while the elderly, children, pregnant women and those with chronic lung or heart disease should minimise or avoid such activity altogether.
The Meteorological Service Singapore said on Sept 16 that more showers are expected in the second half of September than in the first. NEA recommends the public use hourly PM2.5 readings for immediate activity decisions and the 24-hour PSI to plan the day ahead.