Country Guide

This New Zealand dependency in the southwestern Pacific lies north of Samoa. It shares with the other areas of the western Pacific near the equator the features of a tropical oceanic climate.

Very similar conditions prevail throughout the year, with high temperatures and humidity. The daily range of temperature is quite small - about 4°-5°C/10°F.

There is abundant rainfall. Being south of the equator, Tokelau has its season of maximum rainfall between November and April. On some islands there is no great difference between the amount of rain from month to month. Tropical cyclones are less frequent than in the Pacific north of the equator.

Except in the wettest places, where cloud is more frequent, Tokelau has moderately large amounts of sunshine, averaging from six to eight hours a day. Much of the rainfall comes in short, heavy showers, often after a sunny morning, but longer periods of heavy rain lasting a day or so occur in the wetter months.

The climate may generally be described as pleasant and healthy, although the combination of high temperature and humidity can be a little oppressive when not tempered by sea breezes or a brisk wind.

The table for Apia in Samoa shows weather that is similar to that of Tokelau.