Fiji recorded exceptionally low rainfall in October, with 26 of the country’s 27 reporting weather stations registering well below normal levels.

The Fiji Meteorological Service says all stations received less than half of their usual October rainfall, a pattern commonly associated with El Niño conditions.

The impact of the dry weather was particularly evident in Tavua, which recorded no rainfall throughout the month. Nadi received just 0.3 millimetres, Yasawa-i-Rara recorded 0.4mm, while Viwa received 0.6mm.

Nadi, Yasawa, Viwa and Rotuma also recorded their lowest October rainfall totals on record.

Monasavu was the only station to record below normal rainfall, recording the country’s highest monthly total of 183.4mm. This was followed by Navua with 91mm, Koronivia with 76.8mm and Nausori Airport with 73mm.

The October report also highlighted high daytime temperatures across parts of Fiji, with Keiyasi recording the month’s highest temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius on October 31.

RKS Lodoni followed with 36.4 degrees Celsius, recorded on October 18.

Meanwhile, the country’s lowest night-time temperature was 13 degrees Celsius, recorded at Matuku and Nacocolevu.

Weather conditions during the month were largely influenced by high-pressure systems south of Fiji, bringing easterly to southeasterly winds and trade showers, particularly over the windward parts of the country.

October also saw the formation of Tropical Cyclone Wati, the first cyclone of the 2026/27 season. The system developed from Tropical Disturbance 01F on October 15 and was named on October 17, affecting the Northern and Southern Cook Islands before weakening on October 19.

The report further recorded below-normal sea surface temperatures across most of Fiji’s waters, while sea levels remained above normal throughout the group.