Average weather, temperature, rainfall, when to go, what to pack
In Samoa (formerly Western Samoa), an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean located south of the equator, the climate is
tropical, that 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 variation between the hottest period (December to April), when highs are about 30 °C (86 °F), and the coolest period (June to September), when they are around 29 °C (84 °F). Temperatures at night are almost always above 20 °C (68 °F). The south-east
trade winds blow steadily throughout the year, making the heat more bearable.
Here are the average temperatures of Apia.
Apia - Average temperatures| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Min (°C) | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
|---|
| Max (°C) | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
|---|
| Min (°F) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
|---|
| Max (°F) | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 86 | 86 |
|---|
The
rains fall in the form of downpours or thunderstorms, intense but usually short-lived, except in the period from December to March, when they can sometimes last for several hours.
Rainfall is enhanced by the mountains that are found in the interior of the two main islands, and in particular the largest island, Savai'i, where Mount Silisili, 1,858 meters (6,096 feet) high, is located. Here the rains even exceed 5 meters (195 inches) per year.
In the capital,
Apia, in Upolu Island, 2,800 millimeters (110 inches) of rain fall per year, with a maximum of 450 mm (17.5 in) in January and a minimum of 80 mm (3.2 in) in July and August. Here is the average precipitation.
Apia - Average precipitation| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|
| Prec.(mm) | 450 | 380 | 350 | 250 | 160 | 120 | 80 | 80 | 130 | 170 | 260 | 370 | 2800 |
|---|
| Prec.(in) | 17.7 | 15 | 13.8 | 9.8 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 10.2 | 14.6 | 110.2 |
|---|
| Days | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 169 |
|---|
The
sea in Samoa is warm enough to swim in all year round, as we can see in the following table.
Apia - Sea temperature| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Temp (°C) | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
|---|
| Temp (°F) | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 84 | 84 |
|---|
Tropical cyclones
The Samoa Islands are 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
The best time to travel to Samoa is from
June to September, since it is the least hot and the least rainy. However, even in this period, some downpours and thunderstorms must be put into account.
What to pack
All year round, bring tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothing, a sun hat, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a light raincoat or umbrella. For the mountains, bring hiking boots, a fleece, a raincoat.