Palu, Indonesia

Full City Profile

373,218 Population 1,172/sq mi density

30 ft Elevation 9 meters

80°F Avg Temperature 27°C

Palu has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 80°F (27°C). Winters average 80°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 205 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 72.1 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

80°F Jan (27°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	79.7°F
	48% above US avg
January Average	80°F (27°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	205 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	30 ft (9 m)
Area	318.4 sq mi (824.8 km²)
Population Density	1,172/sq mi
Coordinates	-0.9083°N, 119.8708°W
Timezone	Asia/Makassar

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 72.1"

90% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (May) 7.36"

Driest Month (Mar) 4.72"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

364 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.7. Most recent: M5.8 on Aug 16, 2025.

May 21, 1998	127 km NNW of Palu, Indonesia	M6.7	128 km
May 29, 2017	37 km WNW of Poso, Indonesia	M6.6	76 km
Jan 23, 2005	32 km SSE of Palu, Indonesia	M6.3	33 km
Aug 18, 2012	51 km SSE of Palu, Indonesia	M6.3	52 km
Feb 23, 1999	127 km NNW of Palu, Indonesia	M6.2	129 km
Sep 9, 2023	101 km N of Palu, Indonesia	M6.0	102 km
Oct 10, 1998	55 km N of Palu, Indonesia	M6.0	56 km
May 19, 1995	49 km NNW of Poso, Indonesia	M5.9	72 km
Oct 10, 1998	57 km N of Palu, Indonesia	M5.9	58 km
Jul 9, 2005	31 km SSE of Palu, Indonesia	M5.9	31 km
Mar 28, 2020	73 km WSW of Poso, Indonesia	M5.9	96 km
Aug 16, 2025	13 km NNW of Poso, Indonesia	M5.8	103 km
Jan 3, 1993	70 km SSW of Palu, Indonesia	M5.7	71 km
Mar 2, 2009	21 km S of Palu, Indonesia	M5.6	22 km
Jul 23, 2017	139 km NNE of Palu, Indonesia	M5.5	140 km
Feb 25, 1999	133 km NNW of Palu, Indonesia	M5.5	134 km
Feb 27, 2023	60 km WSW of Poso, Indonesia	M5.5	89 km
Mar 24, 2019	58 km SSW of Poso, Indonesia	M5.5	129 km
Jun 16, 2010	84 km SW of Palu, Indonesia	M5.4	84 km
Dec 28, 2000	49 km N of Palu, Indonesia	M5.4	50 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1927	SULAWESI	Earthquake	15.0 m	50	98 km
2018	SULAWESI	Eruption + Earthquake	10.7 m	4,340	73 km
1968	BANDA SEA	Earthquake	10.0 m	200	124 km
1938	MAKASSAR STRAIT	Earthquake	3.0 m	17	121 km
2025	SULAWESI	Earthquake	0.0 m	2	104 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	80°F (27°C)	5.9 in
February	80°F (26°C)	5.3 in
March	80°F (27°C)	4.7 in	Driest
April	80°F (27°C)	5.8 in
May	80°F (27°C)	7.4 in	Wettest
June	79°F (26°C)	7.0 in
July	79°F (26°C)	7.3 in	Coldest
August	79°F (26°C)	6.2 in
September	80°F (27°C)	6.1 in
October	80°F (27°C)	5.3 in	Warmest
November	80°F (27°C)	6.2 in
December	80°F (27°C)	5.0 in

Palu has a seasonal temperature swing of 2°F / from 79°F in July to 80°F in October. Total annual precipitation is 72.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (7.4") and March the driest (4.7").

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