Tarawa, Kiribati Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Tarawa
Tarawa has one of the steadier climates in our dataset. Average highs move only 1°C across the whole year - from 83°F (28°C) in March to 84°F (29°C) in September - so the practical difference between seasons here is rainfall and daylight, not warmth.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: September - highs near 84°F (29°C)
- Coldest month: March - highs near 83°F (28°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 88°F (31°C) high · 74°F (24°C) low
- Wettest month: March (21 rainy days) · Sunniest: November (11.1 h sun/day)
- Climate type: tropical rainforest
- Annual swing: 1°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 2°C
- Average humidity: 78%
Temperatures through the year
March is the coolest month, with highs of 83°F (28°C) and lows near 80°F (26°C). Warmth peaks in September: highs of 84°F (29°C), lows of 81°F (27°C). Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 88°F (31°C) and the lowest daily minimum 74°F (24°C). Days and nights are about 2°C apart on average - narrower than almost anywhere else we cover.
Rain, sun and snow
Between the average September and the average March lie 1°C, a narrower spread than almost anywhere else we cover. Precipitation concentrates in March - 11.6 inches (296 mm) on 21 days - and thins out by October.
How Tarawa compares
- Tarawa averages 82°F (28°C) across the year - warmer than any other city in our 3496-city dataset.
- Annual precipitation is 78.3 inches (1988 mm) - wetter than 92% of the 3496 cities we track.
- Rain or snow reaches the ground on 198 days a year - more wet days than 90% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83° | 80° | 18 | 9.7 in | 9.9 h/day | 12.0 h | 57% | 79% |
| February | 83° | 80° | 16 | 7.4 in | 10.3 h/day | 12.1 h | 56% | 80% |
| March | 83° | 80° | 21 | 11.6 in | 9.9 h/day | 12.1 h | 66% | 81% |
| April | 83° | 80° | 20 | 7.5 in | 10.3 h/day | 12.1 h | 67% | 81% |
| May | 83° | 80° | 19 | 5.9 in | 10.8 h/day | 12.2 h | 62% | 80% |
| June | 83° | 80° | 18 | 6.7 in | 10.7 h/day | 12.2 h | 61% | 78% |
| July | 83° | 80° | 20 | 6.4 in | 10.7 h/day | 12.2 h | 63% | 79% |
| August | 83° | 81° | 13 | 3.6 in | 11.0 h/day | 12.2 h | 42% | 75% |
| September | 84° | 81° | 14 | 3.6 in | 11.0 h/day | 12.1 h | 46% | 76% |
| October | 83° | 81° | 12 | 3.5 in | 11.0 h/day | 12.1 h | 38% | 75% |
| November | 83° | 80° | 12 | 3.7 in | 11.1 h/day | 12.1 h | 41% | 75% |
| December | 83° | 80° | 17 | 8.6 in | 10.0 h/day | 12.0 h | 54% | 79% |
Tarawa month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Tarawa's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 18 days
- Sunshine
- 9.9 h
- Daylight
- 12.0 h
February
- Rain
- 16 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
March
- Rain
- 21 days
- Sunshine
- 9.9 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
April
- Rain
- 20 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
May
- Rain
- 19 days
- Sunshine
- 10.8 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
June
- Rain
- 18 days
- Sunshine
- 10.7 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
July
- Rain
- 20 days
- Sunshine
- 10.7 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
August
- Rain
- 13 days
- Sunshine
- 11.0 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
September
- Rain
- 14 days
- Sunshine
- 11.0 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
October
- Rain
- 12 days
- Sunshine
- 11.0 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
November
- Rain
- 12 days
- Sunshine
- 11.1 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
December
- Rain
- 17 days
- Sunshine
- 10.0 h
- Daylight
- 12.0 h
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Tarawa
March through May
March through May sits firmly in the heat here - highs near 83°F (28°C), nights near 80°F (27°C), and rain falls on around 60 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 10.3 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
June through August
June through August sits firmly in the heat here - highs near 83°F (29°C), nights near 80°F (27°C), and rain falls on around 51 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 10.8 hours of sun a day.
September through November
September through November in Tarawa is hot, with daytime highs averaging 83°F (29°C) and nights around 81°F (27°C); rain falls on around 38 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.0 hours of sun a day.
December through February
Through December through February, Tarawa runs hot: 83°F (28°C) by day, 80°F (27°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 50 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 10.1 hours of sun a day.
Climate questions, answered
Is Tarawa cold in winter?
Are nights cold in Tarawa?
Is Tarawa a wet city?
What is the average temperature in Tarawa?
Best time to visit Tarawa
Aim for August to November and February if you get the choice: humidity and rainfall are at their lowest, which is what actually varies here, and highs average 83°F (29°C) against roughly 13 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in August.
Pack for Tarawa with light clothing for the warm months, proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here and moisture-wicking fabrics for the humidity. Even in September, lows of 81°F (27°C) make an extra layer worth the space.
Tarawa temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.