March rainfall in Nukuʻalofa extremely above average, Tonga

Nukuʻalofa, capital of Tonga, received 451.11 mm (17.7 inches) of rain during the month of March, more than double the average for the month and the 4^th highest rainfall on record for March.

Enhanced rainfall continued across the country in March, except Niuatoputapu which received very low rainfall and Ha’apai which was just below average, Tonga Meteorological Service said in their Climate Update released April 16.

"Nuku’alofa rainfall was extremely above average which recorded its 4^th highest since its record started," TMS meteorologists said. 

The highest rainfall ever recorded in Nuku’alofa is 783 mm (30.8 inches), in December 1972, with the second highest 726 mm (28.5 inches) in February 1989, and the third highest rainfall recorded was 691 mm (27.2 inches) in April 2010. (Matangi)

The highest rainfall recorded for all of Tonga was 1 009 mm (39.7 inches) in Vava'u, in January 1967. Vava'u also received the second highest rainfall of 925.6 mm (36.4 inches) in February 2017. 

Featured image credit: TMS