TONGA will continue to experience the El Nino weather pattern for the rest of the year.
This means less rainfall and a continued dry season as expected.
Director of Meteorology and Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MEIDECC, ‘Ofa Fa’anunu revealed this when the Members of the Legislative Assembly visited the Ministry yesterday.
Fa’anunu said the most affected are Vava’u, Tongatapu and Niuatoputapu.
He said that according to forecasts for the next three months, Tongatapu and Vava’u will experience drought status with dryer season.
There is a current drought status and warning for Tongatapu, Vava’u and Ha’apai.
People would continue to experience cold weather at night.
Fa’anunu also reported that Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u recorded a low volume of rainfall recorded in April to June this year. While normal volume of rainfall was recorded for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
Niuafo’ou is less affected by the El Nino weather patterns for the next six months and is reported to have normal weather patterns.
Ha’apai is also predicted to experience normal weather patterns in the next three months.