‘A lot at stake’: Meet the meteorologist tasked with predicting Singapore’s haze

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) relies on meteorologist Gabriel Lim to predict haze, a responsibility that weighs heavily on him even after his workday ends. "In the middle of a significant haze episode, I can't really switch off fully after work," Lim told CNA. "So even after work, I do keep looking at the latest satellite image, replaying my assessment, and wondering if the call I made was the right one."

Lim, an executive meteorologist at NEA, acknowledges the high stakes of his job. "Knowing that my forecast will impact a lot of people, it makes it daunting, of course, and sometimes stressful," he said. "But it also means a great deal because I know that the forecast I give impacts the people that I care about, and it makes it worthwhile."

Becoming a meteorologist was not a planned career path for Lim. Growing up, he was fascinated by extreme weather shown in movies, despite such conditions being rare in Singapore. When he came across a job opening at the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), he decided to apply, intrigued by the opportunity to learn more about weather forecasting. With a background in environmental studies, his transition into meteorology was a natural fit.

Lim's work involves monitoring environmental hazards, including haze, for ASEAN countries. As part of the MSS team responsible for this monitoring, Lim studies satellite images to identify fires and track smoke plumes. He also examines wind and rainfall forecasts and uses multiple models to estimate how haze may spread and affect air quality.

Predicting haze movements is challenging due to the varying ways smoke plumes can develop and travel. Rainfall can also affect the density of haze in the air. When Lim spotted dense haze over Kalimantan, he was uncertain whether the densest haze would reach Singapore or how severely it might impact air quality.

The uncertainties in haze forecasting are significant, as many stakeholders rely on these predictions to make decisions. "There's a lot at stake because a lot of stakeholders rely on the forecast to make decisions," Lim emphasized. Despite the pressure, he finds comfort in the support of his colleagues. "It's not easy, but it's comforting to know that I have a team of forecasters with me, and they are all skilled professionals who have been doing this a long time."

To manage the stress of his job, Lim incorporates simple routines into his daily life, such as listening to music during his commute. He also enjoys watching the sky, finding it calming. However, the habit of frequently gazing at the sky to anticipate rain has become a part of his life since joining the NEA. Lim believes that meteorology has taught him to embrace uncertainty and respond effectively to it.