Tonga Shivers Through Rare Cold Snap as Temperatures Near Historic Record
Nuku’alofa, Tonga — Tonga is experiencing an unusually cold spell, with overnight temperatures dropping to near record lows across Tongatapu, according to the Tonga Meteorological Service.
Data collected from automated weather stations across the island showed the coldest temperature overnight was recorded at ʻAtele, where temperatures fell to 10.3°C at approximately 3:30am on Friday morning.
The reading is significant not only for its rarity, but also because it came within just 0.1°C of Tonga’s coldest June temperature ever recorded.
According to climatological records held by the Tonga Meteorological Service, the lowest minimum temperature recorded anywhere in Tonga during the month of June remains 10.2°C, observed at Fuaʻamotu on June 3, 1985.
That means Friday morning’s reading in ʻAtele now ranks as the second coldest June temperature ever recorded in Tonga.
For many Tongans, the chill has been especially noticeable.
The average minimum temperature for Tongatapu during June is typically around 19.4°C, meaning the overnight low at ʻAtele was approximately 9.1°C below normal seasonal averages.
Meteorologists say this indicates significantly cooler-than-normal conditions for this time of year.
While temperatures in countries such as New Zealand or Australia may regularly drop lower, such cold conditions are highly unusual in Tonga’s tropical climate, where overnight temperatures generally remain mild even during winter.
The Tonga Meteorological Service says the kingdom is currently moving through its cool and dry season, which typically runs from May through October.
As a result, residents can expect cooler air temperatures to continue in the coming weeks and months, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
Health officials generally advise elderly people, young children, and those with underlying health conditions to take extra precautions during colder conditions, including keeping warm overnight and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold early in the morning.
The current cold snap serves as a reminder that even in the Pacific, winter can occasionally deliver temperatures well outside the norm.
