‘A lot at stake’: Meet the meteorologist tasked with predicting Singapore’s haze
Executive meteorologist Gabriel Lim at the National Environment Agency shares the pressures of forecasting haze and how the job has taught him to embrace uncertainty.
Executive meteorologist Gabriel Lim at the National Environment Agency (NEA) discusses the challenges and rewards of predicting Singapore's haze. The job's high stakes weigh heavily on him, as his forecasts impact many people making decisions. Lim, who did not plan to become a meteorologist, found the field interesting after seeing extreme weather in movies.
His background in environmental studies made the transition to meteorology seamless. Lim and his team at the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) monitor environmental hazards, including haze, providing early warnings across the ASEAN region. Predicting haze movement is complex, as smoke plumes can change direction, height, and density as they travel hundreds of kilometers.
Lim and his colleagues rely on satellite images, wind and rainfall forecasts, and multiple modeling techniques to make their assessments. Despite the challenges, Lim finds comfort in his team of skilled professionals and simple routines, such as listening to music on his way home.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- ‘A lot at stake’: Meet the meteorologist tasked with predicting Singapore’s haze channelnewsasia.com
