No GP changes planned over Singapore haze - yet

Organisers of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix say that they are not planning any changes to this weekend's schedule at this time.

There's been increasing concern over the air quality in the region, with illegal fires from farmers clearing forests in nearby Sumatra leading to worsening conditions and a prominent smog haze obscuring the Singapore skyline.

Flights in the area have been diverted and some have even been cancelled because of visibility concerns in the Southeast Asia region, although Singapore's Changi Airport is confident that it has measures in place to ensure continuity of operations leading up to the Grand Prix.

Some sporting events in the region have also been cancelled, including SingTel's "Race Against Cancer" which had been scheduled for Sunday, and local schools will suspend outdoor and sporting activities if and when pollution levels are listed in the 'very unhealthy' range, and may close altogether if the situation becomes 'hazardous'

However, race organisers remain confident at this point that the Formula One race will go ahead as planned.

"Based on the current PSI levels, there are no plans to amend the published racing and entertainment programme," they said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The haze situation is highly changeable not only from day to day, but from hour to hour. Therefore, it is currently not possible to reliably predict what the PSI level might be over the race weekend.

"We will continue to work closely with all the relevant government authorities to receive the best possible forecasts when they are available."

The statement added that N95 masks would be made available for spectators attending the race at cost price and that medical and first aid posts had been placed on standby to handle any possible haze-related conditions.

As of 7pm local time on Tuesday, Singapore's 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was between 124 - 148; the unhealthy range is 101-200.

Singapore's National Environment Agency said that there had been some improvement in the haze conditions during Tuesday morning, but that the respite had been brief as further haze from Sumatra was again blown in by the prevailing winds in the afternoon afternoon.

Hotspots could not be detected in Sumatra due to partial satellite pass and cloud cover. Widespread moderate to dense smoke haze was observed in central and southern Sumatra, with the haze having spread to surrounding sea areas.

Prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southwest, meaning that the current hazy conditions are expected to persist. The haze situation could further deteriorate if the current unfavourable winds blow in denser haze from Sumatra.

On the plus side, thundery showers are forecast for Singapore in the pre-dawn and early morning hours. However this may only bring a brief temporary respite to the hazy conditions, and the NEA has warned that the PSI may enter the low section of the 'Very Unhealthy' range between 201 and 300 if the denser haze arrives.

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