Index

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• Introduction
• Equatorial climate - Madang
• Tropical climate - Port Moresby
• Mountains - Goroka
• Cyclones
• When to go
• What to pack

Introduction

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The climate in Papua New Guinea is hot and humid throughout the year along the coasts and in the plains, while it progressively becomes cooler, and then colder, as you go up in altitude. In much of the country, covered with dense rainforests, there is no dry season, so we can speak of equatorial climate, while in some inland valleys and along the south coast, there is a relatively dry season from July to September, and therefore the climate is tropical.
The climate is influenced by the monsoon circulation, the northwest monsoon from December to April, and the southeast monsoon from May to October, which usually bring rainfall in the exposed slopes, but in many areas even in both of them.
Rainfall typically varies from 2,000 to 4,000 millimetres (80 to 160 inches) per year, with some higher peaks on the exposed slopes, where it reaches as high as 7/8 metres (23/26 feet) per year, while it drops to 1,000/1,500 mm (40/60 in) in the southern coast, overlooking the Gulf of Papua and the Coral Sea.

Equatorial climate

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Madang

In Madang, on the north-eastern coast of New Guinea, 3,500 mm (138 in) of rain per year fall, with a maximum of 430 mm (17 in) in April and a minimum of 120 mm (4.7 in) in August, so we are in the area that has an equatorial climate. Here is the average precipitation.

East of the mainland, the islands (including New Ireland, New Britain and Bougainville) are very rainy throughout the year as well. In general, the rains are most abundant from December to April, but not everywhere: in Lae, facing south-east in the Huon Gulf, the rains are most abundant in July and August, when more than 500 mm (20 in) per month fall.
On the coasts, the temperatures are high and stable throughout the year in the north, around 30 °C (86 °F) during the day, while in the south, located farther from the Equator, they decrease a bit in the period that can be called winter, from June to September.
Here are the average temperatures of Madang.

The amount of sunshine on the coasts is generally decent, but not exceptional, however it is a little higher from May to October. Here are the sunshine hours in Madang.

Tropical climate

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Port Moresby

The capital Port Moresby is located in the southern area, which as mentioned is less rainy and more sheltered, so much so that it receives only 1,000 mm (40 in) of rain per year, with a relatively dry period from May to November, when rainfall drops below 70 mm (2.8 in) per month; in particular, the rains are scarce from June to October. Here is the average precipitation.

In the capital the best period is the one that runs from June to September, because it is also, albeit slightly, the least hot, with maximum temperatures around 29/30 °C (84/86 °F), instead of 31/32 °C (88/90 °F) that are recorded in the rest of the year.

Here the amount of sunshine is also higher than in other areas of the country.

The sea is always warm enough for swimming throughout the country, although in the southernmost part, where lies the capital, it becomes a bit less warm from July to October, as we can see in the following table.

Mountains

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The interior of the mainland (eastern New Guinea) is crossed by mountains: in the north the Victor Emanuel Range and the Bismarck Mountains, the latter culminating in the 4,509 metres (14,793 feet) high Mount Wilhelm, while in the south we find the Owen Stanley Mountains, whose highest peak is Mount Victoria, 4,038 metres (13,248 feet) high.
At 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) the temperature is pleasant: cool at night, and warm during the day.

Goroka

Here are the average temperatures of Goroka, located at 1,600 meters above sea level, in the Eastern Highlands province.

In Goroka 1,700 mm (68 in) of rain per year fall; there is a relatively dry season from June to August, in which however some showers are possible.

The sun in the mountainous areas shines less often than on the coasts, and the sky is often cloudy.

Above 3,500 metres (11,500 ft), the forest leaves room for a sparse mountain vegetation: here the cold is constant and sometimes it may even snow.
From the mountains, several rivers flow, such as Sepik and Fly, which in lowland areas, often at great distance from the mouth, give rise to marshes and swamps, rich in mangroves and gallery forests.

Tropical cyclones

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Papua New Guinea can be affected by tropical cyclones, of the South Pacific. Typically, cyclones are formed from November to mid-May, although they are more likely from late November to mid-April. The part of the country that is directly affected is the centre-south. The map below is an indication of the areas that have been affected in the past. The northern areas, however, may be partly affected by an increase in wind, clouds and waves.



The climate of Papua New Guinea is influenced by the so-called ENSO cycle: in the years of El Niño, the rainy season is warmer and drier than normal, and often the monsoon arrives late, while the dry season is cooler than normal in the south; on the other hand, in the years of La Niña, the rainy season from December to April is more intense than normal and can lead to flooding, while the dry season is warmer than normal in the south. During neutral phases (neither El Niño nor La Niña), however, it's more likely for cyclones to form.

When to go

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The best time to visit Papua New Guinea, at least in the southern coast which includes Port Moresby and is the only one which experiences a real dry season, runs from June to August or September, because it is also the coolest. The months of May, October and November along this coast have little rain as well, but they are a bit hotter.
On the contrary, as we have seen the other parts of the country do not experience a real dry season, in fact they are rainy all year round, and some areas, such as the coast where Lae is located, receive the greatest amount of rainfall even in this period. However, the best period to visit the country as a whole is still from June to August, recalling that in many areas there can be showers and thunderstorms, more or less intense.

What to pack

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All year round, tropics-friendly, loose fitting clothing, sun hat, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt for the evening, light raincoat or umbrella. For the reef, equipment for snorkeling, water shoes or rubber soled shoes.
In inland areas, around 2,000 metres (6,500 feet), spring/autumn clothes, sweater and jacket for the evening, umbrella. For the highest peaks, warm clothes, down jacket, gloves, hat, hiking boots.