It Rained During NDP 2024. So What About the Rumoured “Cloud Seeding”?

For the very first time in Singapore, it finally rained during NDP and—

Oh, wait. That’s wrong.

It’s a fallacy to think that it never rained during NDP.

NDP 2024 is a good example, but has it rained in other NDPs before?

How about rumours that Singapore do cloud seeding to prevent rain during NDP?

Here’s what you need to know about the rain during NDP, and why cloud seeding is probably just a rumour (which has kind of been confirmed yesterday).

If you prefer to watch a video about this topic instead, here’s one we’ve done:

First Off: The Rumours of Cloud Seeding

You’ve probably heard the rumors floating around: the authorities supposedly use “cloud seeding” to ensure that every 9th of August in Singapore is rain-free, especially during the National Day Parade (NDP).

But hold up, let’s take a closer look at the science behind cloud seeding and the reality of rain on National Day in Singapore.

What is Cloud Seeding?

First off, cloud seeding is a legitimate technology where planes drop substances onto large clouds to induce rainfall. It’s often used in extreme situations, like when an area is battling a wildfire, and they want to trigger rain before the wind carries the clouds away.

Another use for cloud seeding is to make it rain or snow instead of hail, which can be as painful as tiny pins pelting your skin.

Can Cloud Seeding Prevent Rain?

Now, here’s where things get a bit murky. Some theories suggest that cloud seeding could be used to prevent rain by making the clouds around an area rain beforehand. However, this idea is highly debated among experts.

When Beijing hoped for a rain-free 2008 Olympics, a top weather modification expert stated, “We cannot make clouds or chase clouds away.”

While it might seem like it works, there’s still controversy surrounding whether cloud seeding around an area actually contributes to preventing rain.

But here’s the key problem: In Singapore, the idea of using cloud seeding to prevent rain during NDP becomes even trickier.

Given our small size, how can we effectively seed clouds around us? Do we just head to Malaysia and say, “Hello, we cloud seed around here coz I think the heavy cloud will be blown towards us, so we make it rain on you first, okay?”

Pretty sure that won’t go well.

Which then leads to the next question…

Has It Ever Rained During NDP Before NDP 2024?

So, was NDP 2024 the first rainy NDP?

No.

In fact, it rained during the very first NDP back in 1966. Back then, NDP wasn’t in the evening.

The parade started at 9 am, and by 10:40 am, as people marched not just at the Padang but in various locations, the skies opened up. Spectators still watched the event under the rain because, well, back then, people actually watched with their eyes, not their phones.

And guess what? It rained again on 9 August 1968.

So, why does it seem like rain often avoids NDP? The explanation is quite simple: August is typically one of the drier months in Singapore, significantly reducing the chances of rain on the 9th.

In fact, you can probably feel the heat intensifying around this time of year.

But of course, the odds are pretty low, but it can still happen. Just ask the people drenched in rain yesterday.

Nevertheless, at least now you know.