Nuku'alofa, Tonga Climate & Monthly Averages

The climate of Nuku'alofa

Nuku'alofa has one of the steadier climates in our dataset. Average highs move only 4°C across the whole year - from 74°F (23°C) in August to 82°F (28°C) in February - so the practical difference between seasons here is rainfall and daylight, not warmth.

Climate quick facts

• Hottest month: February - highs near 82°F (28°C)
• Coldest month: August - highs near 74°F (23°C)
• Decade extremes (2015-2024): 88°F (31°C) high · 61°F (16°C) low
• Wettest month: February (24 rainy days) · Sunniest: November (11.3 h sun/day)
• Climate type: tropical rainforest
• Annual swing: 4°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 2°C
• Average humidity: 77%

Temperatures through the year

At its warmest, in February, Nuku'alofa runs to 82°F (28°C) in the afternoon and back to 77°F (25°C) by dawn. August sits at the other end of the year: 74°F (23°C) by day, 69°F (21°C) at night. Sunshine averages 9.8 hours a day over the year, peaking in November at 11.3 hours.

Rain, sun and snow

February is the wettest month at 12.2 inches (310 mm) over 24 days; July is the driest. Three of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is June through August. Between the average February and the average August lie 4°C, a narrower spread than about 87% of the cities we track. Days and nights are about 2°C apart on average - narrower than almost anywhere else we cover. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 88°F (31°C) and bottoms at 61°F (16°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records.

How Nuku'alofa compares

• Annual precipitation is 76.8 inches (1952 mm) - wetter than 91% of the 3496 cities we track.
• Rain or snow reaches the ground on 190 days a year - more wet days than 89% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Best time to visit Nuku'alofa

April to September is the sweet spot for Nuku'alofa - humidity and rainfall are at their lowest, which is what actually varies here. Expect 76°F (24°C) in the afternoon and around 12 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.

Pack for Nuku'alofa with light clothing for the warm months and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. Note the gap between afternoon and night: February pairs 82°F (28°C) with 77°F (25°C).