Drier weather has been forecast for most of Tonga up to July, except for Niuafo’ou, with the dry season starting on 1 May.
You are here
Results for El Nino
Thursday 18 April 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
Friday 15 February 2019
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Tuesday 15 January 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
Monday 12 November 2018
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Thursday 11 October 2018
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga continues to be on a drought and El Nino watch according to the Tonga Meteorological Services monthly update on 11 October 2018.

Tuesday 11 September 2018
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Monday 24 July 2017
Premium content
Suva, Fiji
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.

Tuesday 20 June 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Thursday 1 June 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Tuesday 16 May 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Wednesday 11 May 2016
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Wednesday 9 March 2016
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
Thursday 11 February 2016
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There is a high chance of another cyclone forming up to the second week of March this year, even though Tonga has already experienced three cyclones this season as forecasted, Tonga Met predicts.

Thursday 14 January 2016
Nuku'alofa, 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.
Monday 14 December 2015
1 comment
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is currently experiencing strong El Nino conditions bringing cooler night time temperatures with the lowest recorded at 14.6°C for November, in Fua'amotu. However, the lowest temperature so far for the year was 12.0°C in August.
Wednesday 11 November 2015
1 comment
Nuku'alofa, 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.
Monday 2 November 2015
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga might expect two or three cyclones in the 2015-16 Cyclone Season, which started yesterday, November 1, continuing for at least six months until the end of April.
Wednesday 21 October 2015
1 comment
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Tuesday 15 September 2015
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Summer rainfall in Tonga is expected to be severely diminished with only half the expected monthly rainfall in some places, Tonga's Meteorological director warned today, after assessing the latest El Niño forecasts which show El Niño this year is the strongest since the 1997-98 events which caused severe drought and a cyclone.