Singapore is located just about 136 km (85 miles) north of the equator, hence Singapore's climate is classified as tropical rainforest. Simply speaking, this means warm and humid throughout the year. Much like the Singapore society, Singapore's climate is relatively stable, with uniform temperatures and no major seasonal shifts throughout the year. The temperate range is usually between 23 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius (74 degree Fahrenheit to 92 degree Fahrenheit). Singapore is very humid – humidity levels are usually between 60 percent to 90 percent, and rainfall is abundant throughout the year, averaging 237 cm (93 inches) annually.

The Northeast Monsoon season (December – March) brings rain and thunderstorms throughout the island. The hottest months in Singapore are June to August, where temperatures can soar up to 35 degree Celsius (95 degree Fahrenheit).

There is a recurring joke about how "Singaporeans wear more indoors and less when they are out" to describe the pervasive use of air-conditions in offices, shopping centers, restaurants, food courts and homes. To beat the heat, many indoor buildings turn down temperatures, sometimes to a chilly 18 degree Celsius (64 degree Fahrenheit), thus leading to many workers donning jackets indoors, and ditching them when heading out for lunch at an outdoor venue. This practice, while still pervasive, is generally changing, partly due to a recent campaign to reduce energy consumption and driven in part by rising fuel and electricity costs.