A heavy rain advisory has been issued for Samoa as the nation commemorates Mother's Day. 

The Samoa Meteorological Division has cautioned that a trough of low pressure lies slow moving over the islands, bringing associated clouds, rainfall and light winds. 

The system is expected to provide scattered rain with the possibility of moderate to heavy falls for Sunday.

Potential impacts include: heavy downpours with poor visibility, gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways.   

Last month a heavy rain warning was issued due to an active trough located within the vicinity of Samoa and produced thundery falls and gusty winds.

The Meteorology Division also took part in the Pacific Island Climate Outlook Forum (P.I.C.O.F.) which brought together the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (N.M.H.S.), regional partners and global climate centres to ensure consistency in the access to and the interpretation of climate information for the Pacific and the implications for critical sectors.

P.I.C.O.F. has been held annually in the Pacific since 2015, traditionally in October of each year to coincide with the beginning of the south-west Pacific tropical cyclone and tropical north Pacific dry season. 

However, a recent review found that one P.I.C.O.F. a year is not sufficient and it was agreed to convene two P.I.C.O.F. in 2020 – the first virtual meeting of which was held on Tuesday 21 April and coincides with the beginning of the south-west Pacific dry season.

 It was held virtually, due to travel restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The forum also recognised challenges posed by the dry season for many Pacific island countries, as the demand for water increases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The key messages included: Neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation state predicted to continue through mid-2020; average to above average tropical cyclone activity; above average air temperatures and widespread elevated ocean heat stress.