Results for El Nino

It comes as no surprise that cyclones are forming outside of the normal tropical cyclone season, as a result of El Niño, Tonga’s Director of Meteorology, ‘Ofa Fa’anunu told Matangi Tonga this morning. As President of the World Meteorology Organisation (WMO) Region V, 'Ofa said that Severe Tropical Cyclone Lola that hit Vanuatu this week, marked an early beginning for the 2023/24 tropical cyclone season in the South West Pacific.

A drought has been declared for Tongatapu and ‘Eua, with alerts for Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu, and warnings for Ha’apai and Vava’u this month by Tonga Meteorology. From this month until December, Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, and ‘Eua, will expect a 30% rainfall deficiency, while Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu expects a 15-20% rainfall deficiency.

An El Niño alert for Tonga was issued by the Meteorology Department, on 14 July, as forecasts show there is a 70% chance of El Niño forming this year. The likely impacts on Tonga will include cooler nights, less rainfall over the next 6-12 months, and more tropical cyclones in the next cyclone season from 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2024.

Nuku’alofa received its fourth highest rainfall on record in March of 451.1mm, more than double the average according to the latest climate update from Tonga Meteorological Services on April 16.

The chance for El Nino forming in the coming months has dropped from 80% to 70%, as recent cool weather has seen the temperature of the Pacific Ocean surface return to neutral. However it still remains a possibility in 2019 as drier weather is forecast with rainfall expected to be below average across the country.

Tonga continues to be on a drought and El Nino watch according to the Tonga Meteorological Services monthly update on 11 October 2018.

Concerns over El Nino impacts in the Pacific region during the planet's warmest half-year year on record between January to June 2016 is leading to better preparedness for coordinating humanitarian responses to disaster affected people in the Pacific.

As Tonga pushes for higher exports in agriculture produce, with the PACER Plus Agreement ready to be signed this month, the forecast for drier weather and the chance of another El Nino raises fresh concerns about water.

Safe drinking water will be easier to access for around 4,000 people in six villages across western and eastern Tongatapu thanks to the New Zealand Government committing NZ$51,000 to Caritas Tonga to restore water supply catchments. Works include renovating and rehabilitating decrepit rainwater tanks and installing new water refill stations.