The Climate of
Kiribati
Lagoon on Manra Island, Phoenix Islands
What is the climate of Kiribati like?
Kiribati reaches across three island groups in the Western and Central Pacific—the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line Islands. Almost all of the islands are low-lying coral atolls. They all experience very similar conditions of temperature and humidity throughout the year.
Kiribatu has a typical tropical oceanic climate tempered by the easterly trade winds. The mderately high temperatures and humidity vary little from month to month. On average, there is less than 1% variation between the cool and hot months, but daily temperatures range between 25°C and 32°C (77°F and 90°F).
All of the islands have abundant or moderately heavy rainfall. Those north of the equator have a wetter season from June to November. Islands near the equator have rainfall more evenly spread throughout the year. South of the equator there is more rainfall from November to April. Average rainfall in the country as a whole ranges from an annual fall of 3,000 millimeters (120 inches) in the north to 500 millimeters (20 inches) near the equator. Droughts can sometimes occur. Although the islands lie outside the tropical hurricane belt, there are occasional gales.
All the islands have moderately large amounts of sunshine, averaging between six and eight hours a day in spite of a large number of days on which some rain falls. Much of the rainfall is in the form of short, heavy showers, but days with continuous rain are more frequent in the wetter months. Although the combination of temperature and humidity is often rather muggy and oppressive, particularly at night, the daytime temperatures are usually moderate and feel more comfortable because of the brisk winds, both daytime sea breezes and the predominant and regular trade winds.
| Climate data for South Tarawa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.6 (87.1) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.8 (87.4) | 30.8 (87.4) | 30.9 (87.6) | 31.0 (87.8) | 31.1 (88.0) | 31.2 (88.2) | 31.3 (88.3) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.9 (87.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 28.2 (82.8) | 28.1 (82.6) | 28.1 (82.6) | 28.2 (82.8) | 28.4 (83.1) | 28.3 (82.9) | 28.2 (82.8) | 28.3 (82.9) | 28.4 (83.1) | 28.6 (83.5) | 28.5 (83.3) | 28.2 (82.8) | 28.3 (82.9) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.2 (77.4) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.5 (77.9) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.1 (77.2) | 25.2 (77.4) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.4 (77.7) | 25.4 (77.7) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.3 (77.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 271 (10.7) | 218 (8.6) | 204 (8.0) | 184 (7.2) | 158 (6.2) | 155 (6.1) | 168 (6.6) | 138 (5.4) | 120 (4.7) | 110 (4.3) | 115 (4.5) | 212 (8.3) | 2,052 (80.8) |
| Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst | |||||||||||||
References
- E. A. Pearce, Charles Gordon Smith, (1990) The Hutchinson World Weather Guide, John Murray Press. ISBN 1859863426
- Timothy L. Gall, (ed.), (2003), Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Eleventh Edition, Thomson Gale
- Hugh Chisholm, (ed.), (1911), Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh edition, Cambridge University Press
The Climate of
Kiribati
In summary:
The islands of Kiribati have a maritime equatorial climate, with high humidity during the November–April rainy season. Daily temperatures range from 25°C (77°F) to 32°C (90°F). Temperatures are moderated by daytime sea breezes and the regular trade winds.