National Weather service

The purpose of Automated Weather Stations is for the collection, storage and accessibility of data to assist in development planning. This can also benefit sectors like agriculture.

“For WaterAid PNG it’s all about the rainfall data, moisture in the air etcetera, which will predict what the weather looks like in the future and we can plan with the government,” Kiene said.

“The automated weather stations will also collect other data that will be of benefit example aviation purposes for the East Sepik Provincial Government and the agriculture sectors.

National Weather Service director, Jimmy Gomoga told this newsroom today that while more rainfall is expected in the Southern region while the New Guinea Islands will be dryer than average and Highlands region will experience average rainfall.

 “We are now going towards the peak of our rain season which is in February. This is just the beginning of the season. In April and May 2023, the rainfall will exceed and dry season will commence.”

Gomoga said the National Weather Service has also issued a gale warning for the coastal parts of the Southern Region.

The wet season experienced in all parts of the country is expected to carry on until the end of May.

The National Weather service said the effects of La Nina will increase above-average rainfall across southern parts of PNG until the end of May, while the greater part of the New Guinea Islands region will experience below average rainfall.

The La Nina also increases the chance of tropical cyclone activities.

“The department is issuing warnings of floods, landslides and strong winds as a weather system develops on the coast of Western province. The system is expected to move across from Western to the coastlines of Gulf, Central and Milne Bay,” said Acting Director of the PNG National Weather Service’s Jimmy Gamoga.

Governor for NCD, Powes Parkop joined the appeal, adding that weather patterns can change at any given time. He urged the general public to take precaution and to remain vigilant.

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 34 knots are expected to persist for the next 24 hours, causing rough seas.

All small craft and boats are advised to take necessary precautions before and after going out to sea.

The NWS says the monsoon trough lies south of PNG with embedded tropical lows.

“Strong northwest surge of 25/34 knots, with stronger gusts reaching 48 knots are expected to continue for the next 24 to 48 hours, causing rough seas and high sea waves.

“All small craft and boats are advised to take necessary precautions before and after going out to sea.”

The National Weather Service says this is due to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Penny, sitting in the Coral Sea, which will most likely head south-east.

The strong winds and rain being experienced have been attributed to the country being subjected to two extremes; Ex-TC Penny and another depression, both in the Coral Sea that merged last night, causing rains in most part of the Southern region, New Britain and other parts of the country.

Last night’s gale destroyed the Frank family’s Vabukori home as well as blew their roof off, dropping it a few metres away on a nearby hill.

Wari Frank told this newsroom that the house, which was a few feet away from their family home, belonged to her son Kila, who shares it with his wife and three children.

Yesterday, between 8 and 9pm, Kila was spending time with his parents when he decided to check on his house after a particularly large gust, only to be met with the wreckage.

The training and workshop was attended by climate staff of the National Weather Service.

The workshop commenced on Monday and focused on training climate staff on seasonal prediction and drought monitoring and ended today with a stakeholder engagement workshop on Early Rainfall Watch.

The early rainfall watch provides a summary of recent rainfall patterns, particularly the status of drought and enables them to improve seasonal predictions and monitoring.

The training started on Monday, July 16^th, and will end on Friday.

Acting Senior Climatologist of PNG Weather Service, Kisolel Posanau, said this technical training will upskill and enhance their knowledge on seasonal climate outlook in Pacific Island countries.

It will motivate them to improve seasonal predictions and monitoring so that the people of PNG are able to plan better and make informed decisions based on timely climate information that the Weather Office produces.