Climate of Palau

Climate of Palau

Where is the country of Palau located? The Republic of Palau, locally called Belau, is a country in Oceania. Palau belongs to the Micronesia region, a large area in the Pacific Ocean. Palau consists of more than 250 islands of which Babeldaob (Babelthuap) is by far the largest. Unlike most other islands, Babeldaob mountainous, with the 242 meter high Mount Ngerchelchuus as the highest point. The tropical climate of Palau is characterized by very constant temperatures and fairly high amounts of precipitation, the majority of which comes down as showery rain. These downpours can be very intense and end as quickly as they started. Although the amount of rain from May to November is still somewhat higher than during the other months, it is also often limited to showers during this period. An exception is formed by large tropical depressions that occasionally pass by. With such a strong front it can rain for hours. Downright rainy days are also more common.

Always warm

Within Palau it is always warm without exception. During the whole year the maximum temperature is on average around 30-31 degrees. After sunset, the mercury drops slowly, eventually reaching an average minimum temperature of 22 to 24 degrees Celsius by sunrise. During a rainy day it can be slightly cooler during the day, while on a mainly sunny day the maximum temperature can rise to 32-33 degrees Celsius. It rarely gets warmer, because there is a continuous cooling effect by the surrounding ocean water and the wind from the sea.

The hurricane

Palau is on the edge of an area where hurricanes can occur from late October through June. In this region, hurricanes are usually referred to as typhoons. On average, there are two hurricanes per year within a radius of 300 kilometers from Palau. Because most hurricanes that pass along the southern edge of the hurricane zone are relatively small in diameter, Palau usually only sees strong winds and large amounts of precipitation. Occasionally, however, a hurricane passes over or close to the northern islands of Palau, with all the consequences that entails.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 31℃ 24℃ 7 20 28℃
February 31℃ 24℃ 7 17 28℃
March 31℃ 24℃ 8 17 28℃
April 31℃ 24℃ 8 16 29℃
May 31℃ 24℃ 7 17 29℃
June 31℃ 24℃ 6 18 29℃
July 31℃ 24℃ 6 19 29℃
August 31℃ 24℃ 6 20 29℃
September 31℃ 24℃ 6 17 29℃
October 31℃ 24℃ 6 19 29℃
November 31℃ 24℃ 6 18 29℃
December 31℃ 24℃ 6 20 29℃

Best time to visit Palau

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Palau? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result.

Best months

Do you want to spend a holiday in Palau? The best time to travel to Palau is from February to April. This is the sunniest period and it is the part of the year when there is less rainfall6 than in other months. The tropical Palau has to deal with more than three thousand millimeters of rain on an annual basis. The equatorial climate ensures that it is well wet in Palau. In addition, in terms of temperatures, it is continuously tropical warm. Throughout the year, maximum temperatures are around 30 to 32 degrees Celsius and temperatures barely drop during the night. The minimums are between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius all year round. If you travel to Palau for a beach holiday, you will experience that it regularly rains. Clouds can come quickly, but it can also open quickly after a shower. These rapid changes between cloudy and sunny weather are characteristic of the tropical climate type you have to deal with in Palau.

Tropical Cyclones

Palau can be hit by tropical cyclones. We also call these severe depressions hurricanes, on Palau they are more likely to refer to a typhoon. Hurricane season begins in this region around April or May and lasts through November. There is a chance that Palau will have to deal with a cyclone. However, it is not the case that a cyclone passes or over Palau every year.

Palau