Results for El Nino

In the span of one week, Tonga experienced a rare occurrence of four extreme tropical weather systems, one after another passing through the group, when Tonga Met issued 22 six-hourly tropical cyclone alerts and seven three-hourly tropical cyclone warnings, over a record six days and 16 hours, between 2pm on 6 February to 6am on 13 February.

With an El Nino Alert in force, and a drought watch in place, Tonga Meteorology Services is urging residents to use water wisely and collect as much water as possible when it rains.

With drier weather forecasts for the next few months, Tonga Meteorological Service is urging people throughout Tonga to conserve water as conditions favour the emergence of El Nino.

The chance of El Nino developing has been stalled says Tonga’s Department of Meteorology (MET), although drier weather is predicted for all of Tonga for the remainder of the year. They encourage the public to use water wisely.

Forecasts of drier conditions in the second half of 2017 may lead to the development of an El Nino climate cycle according to the Department of Meteorology (MET). However, although there is a 50% chance of El Nino developing, the El Nino - South Oscillation (ENSO) remains neutral.

The hottest day in Tonga's recorded history was 35.5C at Niuafo’ou on February 1 this year, when a long heatwave was experienced during the month prior to Cyclone Winston reaching Tonga.

Strong El Nino conditions, peaking in Tonga in recent weeks, have been among the three strongest El Nino events of the past 50-years, suggested by temperatures recorded in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Rainfall outlook for the next three-months is below average, with a higher chance of a tropical cyclone for Tonga.

The people of Tonga are advised to conserve water and prepare for warmer days and higher chance for tropical cyclone activity in the next three to six-months. There is drought in the two Niuas, while drought warnings have been issued for the remaining islands.

Tongans are advised to conserve water, as the Meteorological Service warns the outlook for Tonga over the next three to six months is for below average rainfall, as a result of El Niño conditions continuing into the upcoming "wet season". Drought warnings are in place for Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu.