PNG National Weather Service

🦀 WATCH: The Pacific Adventures of the Climate Crab! 🇵🇳

An El Niño is underway, and it is bringing significant changes to Papua New Guinea’s weather. What does this mean for your family, your water supply, and your food gardens (kaikai)?

Our friend, the Climate Crab, is here to break down the science behind El Niño and La Niña in a fun, simple way that everyone can understand!

Key Takeaways for PNG:

Drier Conditions: Many parts of PNG, including the Highlands and atoll regions, are facing an increased risk of below-normal rainfall and drought.

Water Safety: Start practicing water conservation now. Store rainwater safely and boil water to protect your health.

Food Security: Look out for agricultural updates to safeguard your crops against dry weather and potential frost risks.

Don't wait for the dry season to worsen — turn early warnings into early action!

👇 Watch the full video below and share this with your community groups, family, and friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvlN7rBQrEI

The Pacific Adventures of the Climate Crab The Pacific Adventures of the Climate Crab aims to raise awareness ...

🚨 JUNE 2026 DROUGHT UPDATE: NCD Enters Drought Status, Highlands & Central on Alert 🚨

The National Weather Service has issued its latest June 2026 Drought Update. With an El Niño now officially declared and climate models forecasting it to last until early next year, we are tracking significant shifts in our weather patterns.

What you need to know right now:

NCD is in Drought Critical Status: This three-month timescale indicates that basic services, including water and electricity, are likely to face disruptions. NCD currently shows severe exposure and extreme vulnerability levels.

Provinces under Drought Alert: Central, Chimbu, Enga, Hela, Manus, Western Highlands, and Eastern & Southern Highlands are currently under watch and alert statuses.

Current Impacts: Prolonged dry conditions in specific highlands provinces are already affecting agricultural produce and local water resources.

Fire Risk: Drier vegetation cover means there is currently a high risk of bushfires occurring.

The Climate Outlook:

Rainfall Outlook: The ACCESS-S model forecasts below-normal rainfall over most of PNG from July through September.

Climate Drivers: Alongside El Niño, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is likely to develop in the coming months, further driving drier conditions.

👇 Check out the full update in the attached infographic: Drought Update__June_2026-1.jpg.

💧 Stay Prepared: We encourage communities, especially in the NCD and Highlands regions, to conserve water, manage agricultural resources wisely, and practice fire safety.

📞 For more information: Feel free to contact the Climate and Special Services team at the PNG-NWS via 3255925 or email [email protected].

📢 OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE: EL NIÑO DECLARED IN THE TROPICAL PACIFIC

The Papua New Guinea National Weather Service has officially confirmed that El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean and are expected to influence climate patterns across PNG over the coming months.

Key details from Media Release #02:

Current Status: El Niño conditions are now established and likely to persist until at least the end of the year.

Intensity: Forecasts point toward a strong to very strong event, with potential peaks mirroring the historical 1997/98 or 2015/16 events.

What to Expect: Historically, El Niño brings prolonged dry conditions, increased temperatures, frosts at higher altitudes, reduced stream flows, and heightened drought risk across many parts of PNG.

Please read the full details in the attached image, El Nino Media Release -1_page-0001.jpg. We urge communities, sectors, and stakeholders to begin preparing for extended dry weather conditions.

Stay tuned to our page for further updates and localized advisories.

🚨 DROUGHT WATCH & ALERT UPDATE | MAY 2026 🚨

The PNG National Weather Service is urging communities, farming families, and provincial authorities to take proactive steps as prolonged dry conditions intensify across several regions.

Our latest monitoring shows a significant transition into higher risk levels:

🔴 PROVINCES ON DROUGHT ALERT (Urgent Action Needed):

Over 3 Months: Jiwaka, Chimbu, Enga, and Western Highlands (Sustained, severe dryness).

Over 2 Months: Gulf, NCD, Central, and Manus (Note: Central and Manus have officially escalated from 'Watch' to 'Alert' status this month).

🟡 PROVINCES ON DROUGHT WATCH:

East New Britain, East New Britain, East Sepik, Madang, Oro, Western.

⚠️ What is driving this?
While global indicators like ENSO are currently neutral on paper, El Niño-like conditions are already actively persisting on the ground. The climate models project below-normal rainfall across most of PNG for the upcoming June to August window.

🌾 What you should do:

Water Management: Store and conserve drinking water safely.

Agriculture: Monitor food gardens and prepare for prolonged dry soil conditions, especially in areas with high vulnerability ratings.

Stay Updated: Keep a close eye on official PNG-NWS updates.

📞 Need more specific data for your province or sector?
Contact our Climate and Special Services team directly:

📱 Phone: 3255925

📧 Email: [email protected]

To the Mothers Who Weather Every Storm

A mother’s love is like the sun—constant, warm, and vital for growth. Today, we honor the hardworking mothers of the PNG NWS and the wives of our staff members.

Whether you are monitoring the skies or managing the household, your dedication does not go unnoticed. You are the resilient foundation of our community. May your day be filled with the appreciation and peace you so richly deserve. Happy Mother’s Day!

Drop a 🌸 in the comments to help us celebrate the amazing mothers in our team!

🌊 PNG OCEAN WATERS FORECAST – 09 MAY 2026

Attention mariners and coastal operators: The PNG National Weather Service has released the latest ocean forecast. While there are NIL specific warnings at this time, conditions vary across our seas:

Coral Sea: Expect ROUGH SEAS. Winds from the East to Southeast at 25/33 knots with strong gusts. Exercise caution.

Solomon Sea: Slight to Moderate seas. Look out for isolated showers and thunderstorms tonight, with heavy rain expected over the NW/NE sectors.

Bismarck Sea: Slight to Moderate seas with Southeasterly winds. Rain drizzles are expected tonight.

Pacific Ocean: Slight to Moderate seas. Showers and thunderstorms will become scattered tonight with areas of rain.

⚠️ Safety Reminder: Squally or gusty winds are likely near severe thunderstorms. Stay alert!

PNG Coastal Waters Forecast: Afternoon & Tonight
Issued: 2:00 PM Saturday, 09 May 2026

⚠️ STRONG WIND WARNING
A Strong Wind Warning is currently in effect for the following coastal waters:

Southern PNG/Indonesia Border to Daru, Kiwai Islands, Yule Island, Port Moresby, Hood Point, and all Milne Bay Islands.

Vitiaz/Dampier Strait to Siassi, Long Islands, and Madang.

Regional Forecast Details
Southern PNG & Milne Bay Islands: Expect East to Southeast winds at 15/25 knots, surging up to 33 knots within warning areas. Seas will range from 1.5 to 2.5 meters, rising to 3.0 meters. Isolated showers and areas of drizzle are expected near Daru and Kiwai Islands.

Vitiaz Strait to Madang: Southeast winds of 10/20 knots will increase to 25/33 knots over warning areas. Seas are expected to reach 3.0 meters. Anticipate scattered showers, thunderstorms, and areas of heavy rain.

New Ireland, New Britain & Bougainville: Southeast winds at 10/20 knots with seas up to 1.5 meters. Thunderstorms will become scattered tonight, bringing areas of heavy rain.

Madang to Wewak & Vanimo: Southeast winds of 15/20 knots with gusts and isolated showers. Seas will remain between 1.0 and 1.5 meters.

Manus & Western Islands: Light East to Southeast winds at 05/15 knots with seas up to 1.3 meters and isolated showers.

Safety Note: Squally or gusty winds are expected to accompany areas with severe thunderstorms. Small craft operators should exercise extreme caution.

🌩️ PNG National Weather Service: Afternoon & Tonight Forecast – May 9, 2026

Regional Highlights:

Highlands & New Guinea Islands: Expect isolated showers becoming scattered tonight with heavy rain; residents should be alert for potential flooding and landslides.

Southern Region: Inland areas of Oro are at risk for heavy rain and potential flooding tonight.

Momase: Scattered showers and heavy rain are expected over Morobe Province tonight.

City Snapshots:

Port Moresby: Possible inland thundery showers, becoming fine/partly cloudy later. Max 32°C.

Lae & Mt. Hagen: Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight.

⚠️ Note: Squally or gusty winds are expected near severe thunderstorms. Stay safe and plan your travel accordingly!

⚠️ WEATHER ALERT: Strong Winds & Flood Risks (May 4th – 6th)

Stay safe, PNG! Our latest 3-day regional outlook indicates significant weather activity across the country. Please take note of the following warnings:

💨 STRONG WIND WARNING: Coastal areas of Southern PNG (Indonesian Border to Daru, Kiwai Island to Yule Island, and Hood to Samarai Islands) can expect sustained SE winds of 25 to 33 knots over the next 24 to 72 hours.

🌊 ROUGH SEAS: Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height. Small craft should exercise extreme caution.

⛈️ HEAVY RAIN & FLOODING: Heavy rainfall and potential flooding are expected in:

Southern Region: Western, Gulf, Central, and Oro Provinces.

Momase: Madang and Morobe.

NGI: New Britain and Bougainville.

Highlands: Watch out for landslides in addition to flooding.

Plan ahead and stay dry!

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