If you thought the weather in Samoa has been exceptionally hot lately, you are right.

The heat is definitely on and the past two months have given us extremely hot days and few have been able to totally escape the accompanying humidity. 

According to the Samoa Meteorology Office (SMO) this is to be expected with El Nino still lingering over the Pacific.

Tile Jr Tofaeono, an official at S.M.O, told Samoa Observer “The hot days are one of the characteristics of the El Nino.” 

“The El Nino we are currently experiencing is the most intense one ever recorded so we therefore we have to expect some really intense heat.

“The lack of rainfall is also normal during this climatic phenomenon,” Mr. Tofaeono said

“Samoa has had less than average rainfall accompanying the heat in the past few months.”

S.M.O. has issued a drought warning for Samoa for the past three months now and will most probably continue until shortly after the El Nino passes.

According to the graph provided by S.M.O, the hottest day last month was recorded on Friday 15th of January with a temperature of 36.2 °C which is 6.1 °C higher than what it is supposed to be.

The temperatures for January are supposed to be around 30.1 °C according to the 30 year average (1971-2001)

But there’s more bad news. Even with the current El Nino predicted to degrade by March this year; according to S.M.O. there’s a chance that the effects will still be present.

“It is normal that even after the El Nino passes, the characteristics will still be present meaning that even after March, we might still have extreme weather patterns,” Mr. Tofaeono said

February will most likely get hotter than it already is but look on the bright side.

 “We still have our beautiful beaches to enjoy with our families - that’s if you can get away from work/school!”