The hot and dry weather with below average rainfall in Samoa is set to continue for at least the next three months according to the forecasts presented at Samoa National Climate Outlook Forum.

Also forecasted is that Samoa could experience at least three tropical cyclones reaching up to category three strength.

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Principal Climate Officer Kotoni Fa’asau presented Samoa’s National Climate Outlook for December 2023 to March 2024 at the Forum which was held over a week ago.

He highlighted that Samoa is now experiencing El Nino, which is expected to bring below normal levels of rainfall and experience higher than normal temperatures in the next three months.

The Ocean Outlook for the coming three months was also shared and discussed; of particular concern is a Coral Bleach Warning present for the next three months over Samoa.

He said Samoa is expected to experience two to three tropical cyclones during the season, reaching intensities of up to category three.

The Samoa Meteorological Services reconvened the Samoa National Climate Outlook Forum in Apia, bringing together over 30 participants for three days.

The in-depth discussions centred on the importance of early warning for early action. This was made possible with funding from the European Union’s Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (Intra-ACP ClimSA) Project, implemented by SPREP.

The Government of Samoa, through its Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment brought all its stakeholders together to share the latest climate outlook for the next three months and discuss some of the major challenges affecting the effective use of climate information services.

“With the guidance and support of SPREP through the ClimSA Project, the Samoa Meteorological Service aspires to strengthen existing systems and capacities, and to fill gaps through collective efforts between the Meteorology Division and its stakeholders, and helps streamline actions before, during and after natural hazards,” said Malaki Iakopo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer  or the Water Resources Division, MNRE when officiating the opening of the National Climate Outlook Forum.

The National Climate Outlook Forum is a platform to promote the understanding of Meteorological events and exchange information needs between users of climate information and the Samoa Meteorological Service.

At the end of the forum, participants expressed strong interest in deepening their understanding on the range of climate information services that have been developed and are being developed by the Samoa Meteorological Services for the different sectors, particularly for Agriculture, Fisheries and Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Intra-ACP ClimSA Project is committed to supporting the Samoa National Climate Outlook Forum for the next three years, and aims to ensure that all stakeholders have improved understanding of weather, climate and ocean products and services, whilst supporting the Samoa Meteorological Services in meeting their information needs.