Rainfall

Vava’u recorded 537.7mm while Ha’apai recorded 707.1mm of rain last month.

The other centres of Fua’amotu, Nuku’alofa, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou recorded above average rainfall in December.

According to the latest Climate Update released by the Meteorological Office, the highest maximum temperature was 33.8 degrees at Niuafo’ou on 5 December, 2018.

The lowest maximum temperature was 17.4 degrees at Fua’amotu on 13 December, 2018

The rainfall outlook for January to March 2019 is forecast to be below average across the country.

Low rainfall is expected for Tonga for at least three months as a severe El Nino strengthens its grip on the region.

Tonga has had extremely dry weather for nearly a year with shipments of water necessary for Ha'apai and Vava'u islands.

The general secretary of the Tonga Red Cross, Sione Taumoefolau, says people need to collect as much water as possible as a precaution.