PNG National Weather Service

24/05/2026

🚨 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]

09/05/2026

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!

09/05/2026

🌊 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!

09/05/2026

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.

09/05/2026

🌩️ 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!

03/05/2026

⚠️ 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!

Send a message to learn more

27/04/2026

🚨 HIGHLANDS REGION: DROUGHT ALERT UPDATE 🚨
Attention: Highlands Region Leaders & Communities

The PNG National Weather Service (PNG-NWS) has confirmed that much of the Highlands is now under a Drought Alert. Persistent dry conditions are impacting Jiwaka, Chimbu, Enga, Hela, and the Southern & Western Highlands.

📍 Regional Status (3-Month Timescale):
Persistent Alert: Jiwaka has remained in drought alert since February. Chimbu, Enga, and Western Highlands have been in alert since last month.

New Transitions: Hela and Southern Highlands have now officially transitioned to Drought Alert.

Watch Status: Eastern Highlands has transitioned to a Drought Watch.

📉 The Forecast:
Model forecasts indicate a potential El Niño developing later in 2026. For the period of May to July, expect below-average rainfall across the region. Only northern parts of Enga are forecasted to see average rainfall.

⚠️ Provincial Coordination:
We urge provincial authorities to review water security and food health plans immediately.

Tagging for Action:
Provincial Health Authority - JPHA
Provincial Health Authority
Provincial Health Authority - EPHA
Provincial Health Authority
Highlands Provincial Health Authority - SHPHA
Highlands Provincial Health Authority - WHPHA
Disaster Centre - Papua New Guinea
of Agriculture and Livestock - PNG

Contact for Technical Data:
For more information, contact the Climate and Special Services team at PNG-NWS:
📞 3255925 | 📧 [email protected]

26/04/2026

26/04/2026

News of Weather related happenings!

24/04/2026

Take Note!

An El Niño event is expected from mid-2026, impacting global temperature and rainfall patterns.

WMO’s global seasonal climate update signals a clear shift in the Equatorial Pacific. Sea-surface temperatures are rising rapidly, pointing to a likely return of El Niño conditions as early as May–July 2026. Forecasts indicate there is a “nearly global dominance of above-normal land surface temperatures” in the next three months, along with regional variations in rainfall patterns.

El Niño (and La Niña) is one of the most powerful climate patterns on Earth. It occurs when ocean surface temperatures warm in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific, typically every 2-7 years for around 9-12 months.

Note: WMO does not use the term “super El Niño” because it is not part of standardized operational classifications.

What to expect?
🌡️ Warmer global climate
🔥 Increased chances of extreme weather such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall
🌧️ Increased rainfall in parts of southern South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa and central Asia
🥵 Drier conditions over Australia, Indonesia, and parts of southern Asia
☔ During the Boreal summer, increase of hurricanes in the central/eastern Pacific Ocean, but fewer in the Atlantic Basin

WMO will release a full El Nino Update in late May, after the end of the so-called ‘spring predictably barrier’.