Weather locations in Samoa

Samoa sits in the South Pacific, straddling the equator and lying about 2,000 kilometres north of New Zealand, and consists of two large volcanic islands, Savai'i and Upolu, along with smaller inhabited atolls such as Manono and the islands of the Manu'a group in the south-east. The climate is tropical, and it rains, a great deal of it: moisture-laden trade winds sweep across the islands all year.

Main climate types

Under the conventional grouping Samoa falls in the tropical rainforest class. Hilly inland interiors receive more rain than the coastal fringe, and the leeward, southern sides of the islands are the driest. There is no cold season, and the fine weather usually comes between the passing showers. Cyclones are the main hazard, and the islands have been struck repeatedly over the decades.

Temperatures

Apia has January means near 26 degrees Celsius and July about 25, with very little variation between the months. Sea temperatures stay around 26 degrees all year, and the humidity is high enough that the heat feels heavier than the thermometer suggests. Nights rarely cool much below 23 degrees, especially in the wettest months.

Rainfall

Annual rainfall is around 3,000 millimetres at Apia and more in the highlands of Savai'i, where totals can exceed 4,000. There is no real dry season anywhere in the group. The wettest months are usually December and January, and rain arrives in short, heavy bursts with strong gusts, often in the late afternoon. Unlike the larger island neighbours, Samoa sits south of the main cyclone track for much of the season.

When to go

May to October, when the trade winds are at their strongest and the air is driest, is generally the best time to visit. The cyclone season runs from November to April and can disrupt both shipping and air links, so any plans should be checked against local conditions.