September to February and Singapore, like most of the year, is wet and hot, with the wettest time coming during the (northeast) monsoon season from November to January. Rainfall in December averages around 150 mm, though in February, the driest month, it is less than 50 mm. The vagaries of the nation’s monsoons means that it is always wise to keep an umbrella handy in this bustling city state. Though the temperatures in Singapore are very hot, often averaging highs of 32 °C (°F), they often seems cooler as is the city is surrounded by the ocean on three sides, allowing cool breezes to sweep in having a calming effect on the heat.