Wet and Dry Weather in Papua New Guinea

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The wet and dry seasons of the weather in Papua New Guinea are not as well defined compared to weather in other parts of Asia. In most parts of Papua New Guinea, wet means that there is a higher chance for rain while dry means that there is a lower chance for rain. Like many areas found in northern Australia, the wet season is often short and sharp while the dry season is characterized by long and dry months.

The dry seasons come during the months of December up until May with milder temperatures of about 21 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius during the day. Infrequent and light rainfall is also a characteristic of the dry season. The wet season is then all about the heat and humidity that comes during late May until early December. The monsoon seasons are often differentiated by the wet and dry season as well. The northwest monsoon blows during the months of December to May while the southwest monsoon comes during May to November. Cyclones usually blow between the months of January to April.

Temperatures in the country rarely get too hot but the humidity can get extremely oppressive. Rainfall in the country is generally heavy but it can still vary greatly because of the geography of Papua New Guinea. In the dry and dusty city of the capital Port Moresby, annual amount of rainfall is about 1000 mm because it is located on the south coast of the island. Port Moresby is thus considered one of the driest places in the country. Rainfall in other cities such as Rabaul and Goroka vary little with over 2000 mm per year with average temperatures at 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. Lae on the other hand can have over 4500 mm of rainfall each year. But in extreme rainfall locations such as the West New Britain province, the northern area of the gulf and other western provinces, annual rainfall can reach more than 8m per year.

Papua New Guinea has one of the most unpredictable climates on earth, which can make travel planning quite a challenge. Although the wet and dry seasons have their share of expected occurrences, there are plenty of exceptions from this yearly pattern. One example is that while Lae and Alotau remain wet, everywhere else in the country is still in the dry season. The months of June to September are quite cooler and drier, making them the best time to visit the country. Know though that the weather in Papua New Guinea will always remain hot and humid all year round, regardless of the season.

Aside from the months of June to September, the months of April and November are also a good time to visit because less rain is experienced by the country as this is the time where the trade winds blow. These precise two months of the year don’t come under the influence of monsoons, which explains why they are the ideal visiting time. Overall, however, the weather in Papua New Guinea is as unpredictable as the country itself, which makes it an extremely exciting destination to visit.

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