By Everest Hala
The Tonga Meteorological Service recorded cooler-than-average overnight temperatures across the island this morning, 12 June, although they remained above the coldest June temperature ever recorded in Tongatapu.
Residents across Tongatapu woke to unusually cold conditions with overnight temperatures falling well below the seasonal average as Tonga enters the early stages of its cool and dry season.
Data collected from automated weather stations across the island showed the lowest minimum temperature was recorded at ʻAtele, where temperatures dropped to 13.8 degrees Celsius at about 5.50am local time.
The reading was significantly lower than Tongatapu's climatological average minimum temperature for June of 19.4C, making it 5.6C below normal for this time of year.
Historical records show the lowest minimum temperature recorded in Tonga during June was 10.2C at Fua'amotu on June 3, 1985, a record that still stands more than four decades later.
Meteorologists said the cooler temperatures were not unexpected, with Tonga only beginning its annual cool and dry season.
The season, which typically runs from May to October, is characterised by lower humidity, reduced rainfall and cooler overnight temperatures, particularly across Tongatapu and the southern island groups.
Weather officials advised residents to expect further drops in temperature in the coming weeks and months as winter conditions become more established across the kingdom.
While overnight temperatures fluctuate depending on local weather patterns, forecasters said cooler air masses moving across the region were likely to bring additional chilly mornings during the remainder of the season.
A high-pressure system located far to the southwest will continue to direct cool fresh to strong south to southeasterly winds across the group throughout the rest of this week. Tomorrow, Saturday, temperatures are forecast to range betwen 16C to 25C.
