Pulu Keeling National Park Management Plan
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Climate
The climate of North Keeling Island appears to correspond closely with that of the southern atoll of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are situated in the humid, tropical zone, at the southern edge of the equatorial low pressure belt which moves northwards and southwards according to the season. The islands are subject to the north-west monsoons of January to May, which are moderated by oceanic conditions. Relatively strong, constant south-east trade winds blow for much of the year, both during and outside the monsoon season.
The main climatic features of the islands are:
- annual rainfall varying between about 840 and 3,290 mm with an average of 1,976 mm per annum;
- annual potential evaporation of about 2,000 mm with an average daily evaporation of 6.7mm;
- relatively uniform temperatures with an average daily maximum temperature of 28.9°C and average daily minimum temperature of 24.4°C;
- relative humidity ranging between about 65% and 90% with a mean of 75%;
- mean daily surface pressure of approximately 1011 hPa. Extremely low pressure values may, however, be recorded during the passage of tropical cyclones;
- prevailing winds from the east to south-east for all months, showing the influence of the south-east trade winds; and
- mean, daily wind speeds that vary from approximately 16 to 30 km/hr with a maximum gust during a cyclone recorded at 176 km/hr.