Climate in Samoa

In Samoa (formerly Western Samoa), an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean located south of the Equator, the climate is equatorial, i.e. hot, humid and rainy throughout the year. However, there is a maximum in rainfall from December to March, and a relative minimum from June to September.
The archipelago consists of the two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, two smaller islands, Manono and Apolima, plus some uninhabited islets.
Temperatures are stable, with little variation between the hottest period (December to April) and the coolest one (June to September). 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.
The rains are abundant. Typically, they occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms, which are 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 is located, 1,858 meters (6,096 feet) high. Here, the rains even exceed 5 meters (195 inches) per year.

The climate in detail

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• Temperature and rain - Apia
• Sea temperature
• Cyclones
• When to go
• What to pack
• Climate data

Temperature and rain

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Apia

In the capital, Apia, at nearly 14 degrees south latitude, the daily average ranges from 26.5 °C (79.5 °F) in August to 27.8 °C (82 °F) in March and April.
In Apia, on the north side of Upolu Island, 3,100 millimeters (122 inches) of rain fall per year, of which more than 400 mm (15.7 in) per month from December to February, and less than 150 mm (6 in) from June to September.
The sun in Samoa shines mainly in the relatively dry period, from June to September. In Apia, there are 2,200 hours of sunshine per year.

Sea temperature

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The sea in Samoa is warm enough to swim in all year round, in fact the water temperature ranges from 28 °C (82.5 °F) from July to September, to 29.5 °C (85 °F) from January to April.

Tropical cyclones

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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.

When to go

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The best time to travel to Samoa is from June to September, since it is the least hot and the least rainy period of the year. However, even in this period, some 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. For the mountains, bring hiking boots, a fleece, a raincoat.

Climate data - Samoa

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