Office forecasts strong winds

National

STRONG winds and thunderstorms are forecasted throughout Papua New Guinea from next month to early next year due to wetter conditions on top of the normal weather patterns, according to the National Weather Office.
National Weather Service acting director Jimmy Gomoga said the country would expect flooding, tropical cyclones and thunderstorms during this wet period.
Gamoga attributed the wet weather to the weak La Nina conditions which would see strong south-easterly trade winds blowing throughout the Pacific. “The impacts of La Nina can vary significantly between events,” he said.
“It is likely that this year will not see the same intensity as the 2017-2018 La Nina event.
“But it is still likely to be of moderate strength.”
Gomoga said the impacts of La Nina on rain fall patterns would vary across PNG affecting most parts of the country except the outer islands of Milne Bay, New Guinea Islands and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
He said the La Nina rainfall for this month to December showed rainfall enhancement around Australia, Indonesia and PNG for early 2021.
“This outlook implies good conditions for crop production but with a downside of floods and flash flooding hazards more likely in the next six to eight months,” he said.