Hot temperatures triggered by "calm winds"

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong 03 April 2019, 12:00AM

If you have been feeling a level of discomfort with the hot temperature lately, there is a logical explanation for that.

It is not because there is an increase in the temperature locally. But it is due to "calm winds" in the past few days, according to the Assistant CEO at the Meteorology Office, Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea.

He said if it feels like temperatures are higher than what is recorded then generally it is closer to the end of the tropical cyclone season. 

“In the last couple of days it featured calm winds. There was a short way troughs which brings some showers especially to southern side. 

“This type of weather is no different with what we expect this time of the year especially during tropical cyclone season.” 

Mulipola explained that it is during day time that it is quite hot due to the calm winds. 

“People’s perception is its some kind of tropical cyclone or some unstable severe weather is close. The temperature usually recorded is 34 (degrees Celsius) but people feel its 36, and that is how because there are some additional factors there where wind is very calm.”

For the past five years, there has not been any large changes in the average temperature of 33 – 34 degrees Celsius, added the ACEO. 

However, people feel it differently because of calm winds and there is no cooling effect, when people are in town where there is open surface. 

As for concerns over drought, Mulipola said there won't be one but it is expected to have normal to below normal rainfalls for this period. 

He added no drought is expected so far but there is a chance of expecting the El Nino in June with perhaps drier than normal period. 

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong 03 April 2019, 12:00AM

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