The climate of Gwaunatafu
No surprise to anyone,
Gwaunatafu, part of the beautiful
Solomon Islands, falls under the Tropical rainforest climate classification under the Köppen system. This island rests near the equator which suggests consistent temperatures with high humidity levels all year round. Rainfall appears to be an essential characteristic of its climate as well, contributing to its lush landscape.
Gwaunatafu temperatures show a little variation throughout the year, fluctuating from 25.8°C (78.4°F) to 28.2°C (82.8°F) as the lowest recorded and from 27.9°C (82.2°F) to 28.8°C (83.8°F) as the highest. A high relative humidity of around 80% is noticed all year round. The average daylight duration fluctuates marginally between 11.6 hours and 12.6 hours, while average sunshine hours range from 7.3 hours to 10.3 hours per day. It further appears that the percentage of cloud cover hovers between 40% and 48%, and these values may contribute to the stability of the island's temperature.
Rainfall is quite significant year-round in Gwaunatafu, with monthly averages fluctuating between 118mm (4.65") in
August and 305mm (12.01") in
March. There is also a slight variation in the number of rainfall days, from a lower average of 24 in August and
September to a higher average of 29.5 days in March. The wind speed sees a moderate variation through the seasons, reaching its peak at 16.2km/h (10.1mph) in
July.
The best time to visit Gwaunatafu
Depending on your preferences, the best time to visit
Gwaunatafu could be between
May and
July when the rainfall is noticeably less, averaging between 129mm (5.08") to 156mm (6.14") monthly. Additionally, the relative humidity decreases slightly to 80%, possibly resulting in more comfortable conditions. Sunshine hours are among the highest in these months, reaching an average of 8.1 hours to 8.3 hours a day, offering travelers plenty of opportunities to explore the island during the day.
The worst time to visit Gwaunatafu
If high rainfall and minimal solar exposure are deterrents, then the months from
January to
March could be deemed unfit for a visit. This period shows the highest monthly averaged rainfall, from 259mm (10.2") to 305mm (12.01"). March further records 29.5 days of rain, the maximum of any month. Moreover, the sunshine hours are comparatively lower, around 7.6 hours to 7.7 hours daily, allowing less time under the sun.
Spring weather in Gwaunatafu
Although the concept of spring as known in temperate regions does not apply to a Tropical Rainforest climate, for mapping purposes this section represents the months from
March to
May. In this period, the lowest temperature varies between 26.1°C (79°F) to 26.6°C (79.9°F) and the highest is close to 28.6°C (83.5°F). This period sees rainfall ranging from 193mm (7.6") to 305mm (12.01"), with 28.2 to 29.5 days of rain. Sunshine hours increase slightly during this period but stay within the 7.7 hours to 8.3 hours per day range.
Summer weather in Gwaunatafu
Again, the concept of summer does not strictly apply here, but for the sake of normalizing data, the summer months are from
June to
August. During this time, lowest temperatures fluctuate between 25.8°C (78.4°F) and 26.3°C (79.3°F) and the highest fall from 28.6°C (83.5°F) to 27.9°C (82.2°F). This is the driest period in
Gwaunatafu, with rainfall averaging between 118mm (4.65") to 156mm (6.14"). Despite the lower rainfall, the number of rainy days varies slightly, ranging from 24 to 26.6 days. The amount of daily sunshine is around 7.3 hours to 7.9 hours.
Autumn weather in Gwaunatafu
In the equatorial context, the months of
September,
October, and
November are deemed as autumn. The temperature ranges from 25.8°C (78.4°F) to 25.9°C (78.6°F) for the lower values and from 28.1°C (82.6°F) to 28.5°C (83.3°F) for higher values during this period. Rainfall undergoes an increase, with rates fluctuating between 122mm (4.8") in September and 213mm (8.39") in November. Meanwhile, the sunshine hours peak at 9.7 hours to 10.3 hours per day in these months, possibly creating splendid sightseeing conditions despite the slight increase in rainfall.
Winter weather in Gwaunatafu
In the context of
Gwaunatafu,
December,
January, and
February are its winter months. The temperature during these months fluctuates minimally, from around 25.9°C (78.6°F) to 26.4°C (79.5°F) at the lower end and from 28.4°C (83.1°F) to 28.7°C (83.7°F) at the higher end. Rainfall becomes more pronounced, averaging between 259mm (10.2") and 284mm (11.18") per month. However, despite the increase in rainfall, the island still enjoys around 7.6 hours of sunshine, allowing for plenty of daylight exploration.
Weather in January
Traditionally, in
Gwaunatafu, the weather at the onset of the year is marked by a humidity level of 79%, denoting a moist atmosphere. Warmer temperatures make
January a comfortable time to explore the
Solomon Islands, with the occasional rainfall adding further character to the environment.
Weather in January »Weather in February
As
Gwaunatafu transitions from
January to
February, there is a subtle drop in the lower temperature limits from 26.4°C (79.5°F) to 25.9°C (78.6°F) along with decrease in rainfall to 259mm (10.2"). February's weather remains pleasant, though marginally cooler.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March in
Gwaunatafu witnesses slight climatic variations. The temperature range is between 26.1°C (79°F) and 28.6°C (83.5°F) coupled with an upsurge in the rainfall reaching to 305mm (12.01"), which is the highest in the year.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April arrives with a noticeable drop in rainfall to 237mm (9.33") from
March's high precipitation. The temperature sees a marginal rise and the humidity level moves up by one%, indicating a slightly warmer and more humid atmosphere.
Weather in April » Weather in May
In
May, the climate in
Gwaunatafu leans towards warmer and drier conditions. With recorded temperature highs of 28.8°C (83.8°F) and relatively lesser rainfall of 193mm (7.6"), the landscape takes a turn from lush green to warm gold.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June in
Gwaunatafu sees the scenery morphing once more as the rainfall decreases further to 129mm (5.08"), painting a clear and warm image of the summer season. Yet, the island's temperature remains consistent, allowing the warmth of the sun to be enjoyed without discomfort.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Arriving in
July, the weather sees an increased wind speed of 16.2km/h (10.1mph), the highest in the year, adding a distinctive characteristic to this month. Droplets of rain, less frequent compared to earlier months, add a fresh touch to the warm sunny days.
Weather in July »Weather in August
Weather in
August features a steady decline in rainfall from 156mm (6.14") to 118mm (4.65"), marking a switch from a moist to a relatively drier climate. Despite this drop, the surrounding nature thrives, basking in the subtleness of the sun.
Weather in August »Weather in September
The weather in
Gwaunatafu takes another slight turn in
September, presenting a minute increase in rainfall to 122mm (4.8"). The temperature continues to hover around the same scale, maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
As
Gwaunatafu moves into
October, there's an upward shift in rainfall to 184mm (7.24"), hinting at the transition towards the end of the year. This season witnesses gold and green hues taking over the landscape, warmed by the bright sunlight.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November witnesses a slight decrease in maximum temperature from 28.5°C (83.3°F) in
October to 28.3°C (82.9°F) along with an increase in rainfall to 213mm (8.39"). The weather in
Gwaunatafu stays pleasant, perfectly complementing the tropical ambiance.
Weather in November » Weather in December
In
December,
Gwaunatafu experiences a return of high rainfall, with a significant increase to reach 281mm (11.06"). The pleasant chill of an early morning breeze complements the typical tropical climate, giving the month a unique ambience.
Weather in December »