Changing weather dumps heavy rain on Tongatapu [1]
Friday, September 18, 2009 - 22:57. Updated on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 10:05.
A STRONG wind warning was in force for Tongtapu and 'Eua waters as two troughs moved over Tonga, bringing changeable weather with heavy rainfall into Nuku'alofa for the last few days.
The Tonga Meteorological Services at Fua'amotu Centre on September 17 said a trough over the group was slowly moving eastward, meanwhile, another trough to the west was moving east towards the Tonga group.
The gusts of winds caused damage to some trees and brought flooding to low-lying areas of the capital.
Friday continued to be cloudy with rain continuing throughout the day.
The cloudy periods were expected to continue to Saturday with brief showers over most places and moderate to fresh southwest to southeast winds throughout Tonga.
Chief Meteorological Officer 'Ofa Fa'anunu said that the sudden change in the weather pattern is not unusual at this time in Tonga's Dry Season, which runs until October. He added that it is essential to look closely at these extreme weather patterns, as they may be the likely effects of climate change.
Above average
This year's dry season recorded above average monthly rainfall in comparison to last year.
This year July had high rainfall of 188.9mm recorded at Fua'amotu.
This compared to July 2008 rainfall of 96.5mm at Fua'amotu, which was below average.