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Climate in New Caledonia


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - New Caledonia

Map - New Caledonia

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The climate in New Caledonia is tropical, influenced by the trade winds, with a hot and rainy season from late December to late March, a cool and drier season from June to August or September, and two intermediate periods.
New Caledonia is an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean to the south of the Equator. The country is made up of the main island (Grande Terre) plus smaller islands. To the north-east of the main island we find the Loyalty Islands (Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa), while to the south-east we find the Isle of Pines. To the north-west we find the small archipelago of the Belep Islands, while further west, in the Coral Sea, we have the Chesterfield Islands, uninhabited coral islands.
The sea temperature in New Caledonia can be considered always warm enough for swimming, although in the south it becomes a little cool from July to October; on the northernmost islands, it is just higher (about one degree Celsius).

The climate in detail


  • The seasons
  • Main island - Nouméa
  • Other islands - Lifou
  • Cyclones
  • When to go
  • What to pack
  • Climate data

The seasons



In the hot, humid and rainy season that runs from late December to late March, temperatures are high, around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) during the day, but with peaks of 35 °C (95 °F). The humid heat is unpleasant, although the breezes make it more bearable.
Rain showers and thunderstorms are frequent. Rainfall is more abundant in inland elevations and on the north-eastern coast of the main island, where it exceeds 300 millimeters (12 inches) in the wettest month (March), while on the south-west coast, it ranges from 200 mm (8 in) in the north to 150 mm (6 in) in the south (see Nouméa).
In addition, in this period, the country can be hit by tropical cyclones (see below). However, even in this period, between heavy showers, the sun shines.

In the cool and relatively dry season that runs from June to August or September, average highs drop to around 23/24 °C (73/75 °F) and lows to 17/18 °C (63/64 °F). In themselves, they are still acceptable temperatures, but the wind can increase the feeling of coolness.
Also, sometimes cool air can arrive, which can further lower the temperature, in fact, there can be some days with maximum temperatures around 20 °C (68 °F).
Some showers can occur even in this period, most likely along the northern coast of the main island (see Poindimié), where the proximity of mountain slopes enhances the formation of thunderclouds.

The two intermediate seasons, in April-May and October-November, are characterized by comfortable temperatures, around 26/27 °C (79/81 °F) during the day, while the amount of rainfall is acceptable in the latter period and a bit higher in the former one, especially in April and in the rainiest areas.

Main island



On the main island (Grande Terre), rainfall varies with slope exposure and proximity to the mountains. In general, the northeast-facing coast (where there are no major cities) receives more rainfall than the one exposed to the southwest. In fact, precipitation amounts to 2,400 mm (95 in) per year in Poindimié, with a minimum of about 100 mm (4 in) in August and September, and to 1,900 mm (75 in) per year in Pouébo. On the southern coast, in contrast, rainfall ranges from 800 to 1,200 mm (31 to 47 in), therefore, some areas are almost arid.
However, in New Caledonia, the rains are quite irregular from one year to another, so they are quite unpredictable.
As mentioned, in the interior of the main island, we find some mountain slopes, in fact, it is crossed by a mountain range, whose highest peaks are Mont Panié, 1,629 meters (5,344 feet) high, and Mont Humboldt, 1,618 meters (5,308 feet) high.

Nouméa

Climate chart - Nouméa
Nouméa, the capital, is situated on the southern coast of the main island, at 22 degrees south latitude.
From May to October, but especially from July to September, there can be slightly cool periods, in which the minimum temperature can drop down to 13/15 °C (55/59) and the maximum around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F).
In the hot season, from November to March, the temperature can sometimes reach 34/35 °C (93/95 °F).
Nouméa is located on the south-west facing slope, the least rainy one. On average, 1,005 mm (39.5 in) of rain fall per year, with a maximum of 170 mm (6.7 in) in March and a minimum of 40/45 mm (1.6/1.8 in) per month from September to November.
The amount of sunshine in Nouméa is quite good from September to December, when the sun shines about 65% of the time, while it decreases to about 50/55% from March to July. The total is 2,550 hours per year.
The day lasts 13 and a half hours in December and just under 11 hours in June and July.
In Nouméa, the sea temperature drops to 22.5/23 °C (73/74 °F) from July to September.

Other islands



In the smaller islands, the climate is similar, even though the rainfall is at an intermediate level compared to the two sides of the main island, and amounts to around 1,500/1,800 mm (60/70 in) per year. Temperatures drop slightly from north to south.

Lifou

Climate chart - Lifou
In Lifou, the main island of the Loyalty Islands, temperatures are similar to that of Nouméa.
Here, 1,600 mm (63 in) of rain fall per year, with a maximum in February and March, and a minimum from August to November.

Tropical cyclones



As mentioned, New Caledonia can be affected by tropical cyclones. Cyclones are usually formed from November to mid-May, though they are most likely from late December to early April.
Some intense cyclones that hit New Caledonia in the past were Coleen in February 1969, Anne in January 1988, Esau in February 1992, Sose in April 2001, Beni in January 2003, Erica in March 2003, Jasmine in February 2012, and Evan in December 2012.

New Caledonia

In addition, New Caledonia is affected by the climate cycle called ENSO. During El Niño years, the weather in New Caledonia tends to be drier than normal from December to February and drier and cooler than normal from June to August.
On the other hand, during La Niña years, it becomes rainier than usual from December to February and warmer than usual from June to August.

When to go



The best time to visit New Caledonia is the austral spring, ie October and November: the temperature is pleasant, the sun shines, the rains are generally not excessive, especially on the southwest side of the main island and on the smaller islands.
On the southwest side of the main island, the rains are acceptable even in April and May; in April, however, there's still some chance of cyclones or tropical storms, but this happens also in November (even though they are statistically rare). So, all in all, the best month is probably October.
From June to September, in the austral winter, the weather can be nice, but it can sometimes be a bit cool for swimming and sunbathing, especially for those who are sensitive to cold: in these cases, you can opt for an excursion.

What to pack



In winter (June to August): bring light clothes for the day, a scarf for the breeze, a sweatshirt and possibly a light jacket for the evening; a light raincoat or an umbrella. When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes. For Mont Panié, bring hiking boots, a sweatshirt, and a raincoat.

In summer (December to February): 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.

Climate data - New Caledonia


Temperatures: °C, Precipitation: mm
Bourail
Bourail, location on the map
Bourail, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.212221191715131314161720
Max temp.323231292726252527293031
Precip.13518520510575806065353565120
Prec. days101313978774469
Day length131312121111111112131313
Sea temp272827272624242323242526

Houailou
Houailou, location on the map
Houailou, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.222322211917161616182021
Max temp.303130292826252526272830
Precip.22026528516513510595806060105170
Prec. days14151411986667812
Day length131312121111111112131313
Sea temp272827272624242323242526

Koné
Koné, location on the map
Koné, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.222322201816141415171921
Max temp.323231302826252627293031
Precip.135185180807075505030305095
Prec. days91111766553348
Day length131312121111111112131313
Sea temp272827262524232323242526

Koumac
Koumac, location on the map
Koumac, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.232323211918161617192022
Max temp.303130292726252526272930
Precip.150165160907070454525203580
Prec. days91110654442347
Humidity75%77%79%78%76%76%72%71%71%70%70%73%
Day length131312121111111112131313
Sea temp272828272625242424242527

La Tontouta
La Tontouta, location on the map
La Tontouta, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.222222201816151415171820
Max temp.323231292725242527293032
Precip.180210265145110959590506060110
Prec. days1113141211101095669
Humidity71%74%77%76%76%76%74%72%69%67%66%68%
Day length131312121111111112131314

Lifou
Lifou, location on the map
Lifou, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.232323221918161617182022
Max temp.303029282625242425272829
Precip.1751952401851451309070706575140
Prec. days1213151212108667710
Humidity80%81%83%81%81%80%78%76%75%74%76%77%
Day length131312121111111112131313
Sun hours776665667888
Sea temp282828272625242424252627

Maré
Maré, location on the map
Maré, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.212222201816141414161820
Max temp.293029282625242425262729
Precip.19019524517516512510585759090140
Prec. days12121613121110877810
Humidity80%81%82%81%81%80%79%78%77%76%76%78%
Day length131312121111111112131313

Nouméa
Nouméa, location on the map
Nouméa, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.242424222018171718202123
Max temp.293029272624232324262728
Precip.1051301601209080707040354565
Prec. days10111212119986567
Humidity76%77%79%78%76%75%73%72%71%70%71%73%
Day length131312121111111112131314
Sun hours876665678888
Sea temp272727262524232323232426

Ouvéa
Ouvéa, location on the map
Ouvéa, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.242424232120181819202223
Max temp.303130292726252526272830
Precip.1651652001551101007085605075105
Prec. days1112131098765668
Humidity78%80%80%79%77%77%75%74%72%73%74%76%
Day length131312121111111112131313

Poindimié
Poindimié, location on the map
Poindimié, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.232423222019181818202122
Max temp.303030282726252526262829
Precip.31532539526019515511510010595145220
Prec. days181920171411988111216
Day length131312121111111112131313
Sun hours665655667766
Sea temp282828272625242424252627



See also the temperatures month by month

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