Climate - American Samoa

Index

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• Introduction - Pago Pago
• Cyclones
• Best Time
• What to pack

Introduction

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In American Samoa, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean located south of the Equator, the climate is hot, humid and rainy throughout the year, with a maximum in rainfall from December to March and a relative minimum from June to September.
Temperatures are stable, with little variations between the hottest period (December to April), when highs are about 31 °C (88 °F), and the coolest period (June to August), when they are around 29 °C (84 °F). Night temperatures are almost always above 20 °C (68 °F). The south-east trade winds blow steadily throughout the year, especially from May to October, and are stronger during the day, making the heat more bearable.
Rainfall occurs in the form of downpours or thunderstorms, which are usually intense but don't last long, in fact, the sun shines quite frequently and regularly, even in the rainiest months. From December to March, however, the rains can sometimes last for the whole day.
Rainfall is enhanced by the elevations that are found on the volcanic islands (Tutuila, Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega), which are therefore wetter, while the small islands and the flat atolls (Aunu'u, Swains, and Rose) receive less rainfall, about 2,500 millimeters (100 inches) per year. On the volcanic islands, the amount of rainfall varies depending on slope exposure, in fact, it is around 3,000 mm (120 in) per year along the sheltered coasts and around 4,000 mm (160 in) on the coasts exposed to the trade winds; in hilly and mountainous areas, it can even exceed 5,000 mm (200 in) per year.

Pago Pago

Here are the average temperatures of Pago Pago, the capital, located on the north side of the main island, Tutuila.

In Pago Pago, 3,100 mm (122 in) of rain fall per year, with a maximum of around 370 mm (14.5 in) in December and January and a minimum of 150/165 mm (5.9/6.3 in) between June and August. Here is the average precipitation.

The sea in American Samoa is warm enough to swim in all year round, as you can see in the following table.

Tropical cyclones

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American Samoa is exposed to the tropical cyclones of the South Pacific. Cyclones are usually formed from November to mid-May, though they are most likely from late December to early April. Outside of this period, there has been cyclone Keli, in June 1997.

Best Time

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The best time to travel to American Samoa runs from June to September, since it is the least hot and the least rainy period of the year; anyway, even during this period, downpours and thunderstorms must be put into account.

What to pack

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All year round, bring tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothing, a sun hat, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a light raincoat or umbrella.

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