Overview
Rainfall is unevenly distributed: the east coast, upwind, receives an average of 1.70 m of annual precipitation, almost twice as much as the west coast, downwind. The highest rainfall occurs between February and March. The east coast therefore enjoys a tropical climate with almost daily rainfall, which feeds a dense and lush vegetation. During the austral winter (from April to November), rainfall decreases. On the other hand, the west coast can experience long periods of drought. The farmers, with foresight, cultivate hay which they store in case of a hard blow.
The trade winds blow between east, northeast and southeast, moderately to quite strong. They blow gently around 9 am and then become stronger, hence some basic precautions: sea trips are preferable early in the morning around 7:30 am (departure time of the dive boats). You will make your two dives during the same trip and come back around 12:00-13:30, when the boat has the wind behind it for optimal sailing and diving conditions. The speed of the trade winds is much lower in the early morning and at sunset. The strongest winds blow between 2 pm and 6 pm. At night, their strength is null near the land. Note that they are stronger and more frequent in summer, from November to February, than in winter. They blow with an average strength of 16 to 18 knots (with peaks of 25 to 30 knots). Their flows are slightly deviated during the day. They have a clear tendency to turn southeast at noon and northeast in the evening. They are also often inflected by the coastal relief. Notice to windsurfers!
Cyclone season
New Caledonia is located in the tropical cyclone zone of the Southern Hemisphere, which can form during the warm season between mid-November and mid-April. The name "tropical cyclone" is given to a "closed" depression that gives rise to winds exceeding 63 knots or 118 km/h. Between 33 and 63 knots, it is called a "tropical depression" and a "storm area". These lows form in the Coral Sea region and can sometimes cause severe damage to infrastructure and crops. High winds, combined with heavy rainfall, can last for several days, cutting off roads, trails and isolating some areas. A warning system is in operation and you should pay attention to the notices on the radio and in the local newspapers.
Respect the safety instructions in case of a cyclone, whatever the chosen accommodation. Before the cyclone period (and in case of a yellow pre-alert, when a cyclone is reported in the weather observation zone), stock up on canned food, dried vegetables, flour, rice, pasta, oil, eggs, mineral water and milk, mops, candles and matches or lighters. It is worthwhile to review your first-aid kit in detail, to ensure that electric flashlights and emergency lights are in good condition. Buy batteries and recharge them. Make sure your radios are working: you will be able to follow the evolution of the situation thanks to the weather reports broadcasted every hour on the local media. Don't rely on television or radios running on the general power grid.
Different colors. In case of an orange alert (a cyclone is announced under 18:00): make sure that the doors and windows of the houses are solid, fasten the shutters, reinforce the cremone bolts by possibly nailing wooden bars against the shutters and the doors. Bring your animals inside, and if you have bay windows, fix a flexible plywood of 5 mm outside the bay. Stop all work and school activities. In case of a red alert (the cyclone is coming), go to a safe shelter built in hardwood, or lock yourself in your house. Avoid standing near the windows! Also, reinforce the interior doors of the house in case of a broken window or exterior door. The most important advice to respect: never leave your shelter before the end of the alert broadcast by radio and especially not during the passage of the eye of the cyclone which is a short zone of calm. Do not call unless absolutely necessary. In case of a grey alert (after the passage of the cyclone), be careful, all danger is not eliminated. The emergency services are in charge of restoring normalcy, and in particular of re-establishing communication channels. Avoid going out so as not to hinder their work. Do not drink tap water.
Practical information. The answering machine of Météo Nouvelle-Calédonie (✆ +687 366 736) for all forecasts and the website (www.meteo.nc). Here are the four local radio stations that will give you regular information on the weather: Nouvelle-Calédonie 1ère (formerly RFO), Radio Djiido, Radio Rythme Bleu and Radio Océane.
