Fiji Weather Updates

The following are provided by the Fiji Meteorological Service: Check their website for any current warnings or alerts.

Fiji Climate Outlook for NOVEMBER 2023

Highlights:
El-Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a moderate El Niño state.
Rainfall activity is expected to pick up during the wet season in November, but the current El Niño event is likely to suppress the usual rainfall.
During November 2023, below normal rainfall is likely for the Fiji Group. Near normal or above normal rainfall is likely for Rotuma.
For November 2023 to January 2024 period, below normal rainfall is likely for the Fiji Group. Near normal or above normal rainfall is likely for Rotuma.
During February to April 2024, below normal rainfall is likely for the Fiji Group, while near normal or above normal rainfall is likely for Rotuma. However, as we are now in the tropical cyclone season, development of a tropical disturbance or depression, can result in normal or above normal rainfall, during the above mentioned periods.
During November, maximum temperature is likely to be near normal across most of the Fiji Group, with above normal across Western Division and at Rotuma.Night time temperatures are likely to be near normal over the Fiji Group, with above normal temperatures likely at Rotuma.
For November 2023 to January 2023, maximum temperature is likely to be above normal across most of the Fiji Group, with Rotuma, while near normal temperature is likely across the Eastern Division. Night time temperatures are likely to be above normal across the Western and Northern Divisions and at Rotuma, while near normal temperatures are likely across the Central and Eastern Divisions.
Overall, the current El Niño event is expected to gradually strengthen through to the December 2023 to February 2024 period.
Historically, Fiji  experiences below normal rainfall during an El Niño event.
READ FULL REPORT – FIJI CLIMATE OUTLOOK NOVEMBER 2023

Fiji Ocean Outlook for OCTOBER 2023

· Moderate El Niño conditions prevail in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
· The current El Niño is expected to gradually strengthen through to the December 2023 to February 2024 period.
· Near normal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are likely in the Fiji Waters during November 2023 to January 2024.
· The average position of the 29°C fisheries convergence zone is likely to be displaced south of its normal position, close to Fiji’s EEZ, during the November 2023 to January 2024 period.
· The 4, 8 and 12 weeks coral bleaching outlook is at ‘No Stress’ across Fiji Waters.
· Sea level is likely to be near normal across Fiji Waters during the November 2023 to January 2024 period.
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Early Action Rainfall Watch for MARCH 2024

Rainfall Status until February 2024:
·       For 3-month timescale, Very Wet conditions exist for Gau, Moala and parts of Taveuni. Very Dry conditions exist for parts of Rotuma. There is No Extreme condition in place for the rest of the Fiji Group.
 
·       At 6-month timescale, Very Dry conditions exist for Rotuma. There is No Extreme condition in place for the rest of the Fiji Group.
 
·       On the 12-month timescalethere is No Extreme condition in place for whole of Fiji.
 
 
Rainfall Outlook:
·       From 15th  to 28th March, there is a medium chance of Very Dry conditions across Central and Eastern Divisions, and some parts of the Northern Division, Dobuilevu, Monasavu and interior of Viti Levu. There is a medium chance of Very Wet conditions for Rotuma.
 
·       For March, there is a high chance of Very Dry conditions for Vatulele and the southern tip of Kadavu. There is a medium chance of Very Dry conditions across Western, Central, Northern and Eastern Divisions. There are No Extreme conditions in place for Rotuma.
 
·       For March to May 2024, there is a medium chance of Very Dry conditions for Penang, Yaqara, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka, Mamanuca Group, parts of Yasawa-i-Rara, Seaqaqa, Labasa, Udu Point, Taveuni, Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Ono-i-Lau and Kadavu. There is medium chance of Very Wet conditions for Rotuma. No Extreme conditions is in place for the rest of the Fiji Group.
 
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Status: El Niño

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Rainfall Status to SEPTEMBER 2023:


El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Status:
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El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Update – JULY 2023




ENSO Update JULY 2023

Fiji Climate Summary for FEB 2024


Typical wet season rainfall pattern was observed across the country, during the month, as generally above aver age to well above average rainfall were recorded. Dobuilevu, Vunisea and Savusavu Airfield recorded well above average rainfall, which was twice its normal monthly rainfall while, Ono-i-Lau was the lone station with below average rainfall. Overall, out of the 26 rainfall monitoring stations that reported in, in time for the compilation of bulletin, 3 recorded well above average rainfall, 18 above average, 4 average, and 1 station with below average rainfall (Table 2, Figures 1-5). Lomaivuna recorded the highest monthly rainfall of 844.5mm, followed by Monasavu with 787.2mm, Vaturekuka (Labasa) with 757.0mm, Dobuilevu with 742.0mm, RKS Lodoni with 740.5mm and Nadarivatu with 699.0mm (Table 2). On temperatures, the month’s warmest day-time temperture of 37.8°C was observed at RKS Lodoni on the 26th, followed by Wainikoro with 37.1°C on the 6th and Ra rawai Mill (Ba) with 36.0°C on the 2nd. The month’s coolest night-time temperature of 17.6°C was recorded at Nadarivatu on the 4th, followed by Ra rawai Mill (Ba) with 19.0°C on the 10th and Monasavu with 19.1°C on the 18th. Southeasterly winds were dominant at Nadi Airport, Savusavu Airfield and Matei Airfield, while northwest erly winds were dominant at Nausori Airport (Figure 7). Warmer than normal sea surface temperature anomalies were observed at most parts of the country (Figure 8). Above normal sea level anomalies persisted across most of the Fiji Waters during February 2024 (Figure 10). Flash flooding in low-lying areas and landslide event was reported due to heavy rainfall events (Figure 12a12l).


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