NEA has advised that more violent storms can be expected in this month of April.
This is in response to the deluge of contributions by STOMPers who have had their cars buried under fallen trees.
A spokesperson for NEA says:
"A 'Sumatra' squall is a line of eastward moving intense thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds that usually occur between April and September.
"An average of 2-3 'Sumatra' squalls occur in a month during this period.
"It normally develops overnight in Sumatra and the Straits of Malacca, and affects Singapore between midnight and 9a.m.
"Maximum wind gusts of up to 90 km per hour from a 'Sumatra' squall have been recorded in the past.
"The strong winds that affected Singapore last night between 11p.m (Apr 22) and 12.30a.m (Apr 23) were caused by an intense fast-moving 'Sumatra' squall.
"Mean wind speeds ranging from 33 to 54 km per hour were recorded across the island. The highest recorded wind gust was 83 km per hour in the western areas.
"A wind gust is a sudden brief increase in the speed of the wind. Short duration showers fell over most parts of the island but were heavy in only a few areas.
"The highest rainfall of 7.0 mm was recorded around Sembawang. A wind gust of similar strength was last recorded on 20 June 2000.
"For the rest of the month, we can expect another one or two 'Sumatra' squalls but they are unlikely to be as severe as the one last night."
"The highest rainfall of 7.0 mm was recorded around Sembawang. A wind gust of similar strength was last recorded on 20 June 2000.
"For the rest of the month, we can expect another one or two 'Sumatra' squalls but they are unlikely to be as severe as the one last night."
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