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Wau, Papua New Guinea

Full City Profile

14,629 Population 2,961/sq mi density
3,868 ft Elevation 1,179 meters
65°F Avg Temperature 19°C
Wau enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 67°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 161 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 96.3 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

67°F Jan (19°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average65.4°F
21% above US avg
January Average67°F (19°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days161 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,868 ft (1,179 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²)
Population Density2,961/sq mi
Coordinates-7.3420°N, 146.7240°W
TimezonePacific/Port_Moresby

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 96.3"
154% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Mar) 10.43"
Driest Month (Jun) 4.80"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,294 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.6. Most recent: M4.1 on Aug 22, 2025.

Sep 10, 2022 70 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea M7.6 119 km
May 6, 2019 32 km NW of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea M7.1 51 km
Jul 17, 2020 114 km NNW of Popondetta, Papua New Guinea M7.0 128 km
Mar 21, 2012 11 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea M6.6 149 km
Apr 5, 1997 49 km W of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea M6.5 122 km
Apr 6, 1999 21 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea M6.4 96 km
Jun 5, 2001 45 km NW of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea M6.4 63 km
Sep 22, 1995 79 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea M6.2 145 km
Apr 17, 2010 33 km E of Lae, Papua New Guinea M6.2 98 km
Nov 5, 1991 64 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea M6.2 127 km
Jun 4, 2005 47 km NNW of Lae, Papua New Guinea M6.1 115 km
Dec 18, 1992 30 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea M6.1 106 km
Feb 9, 1996 89 km NNW of Lae, Papua New Guinea M6.1 150 km
May 21, 1992 66 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea M6.0 142 km
Jun 5, 2001 49 km NNW of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea M6.0 68 km
Jan 24, 2008 87 km NNW of Lae, Papua New Guinea M5.9 147 km
Feb 8, 1999 107 km N of Kokoda, Papua New Guinea M5.9 128 km
Sep 21, 1996 37 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea M5.9 145 km
Jun 30, 2001 43 km NW of Lae, Papua New Guinea M5.9 104 km
Jan 8, 2017 54 km NW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea M5.9 149 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1972 SOLOMON SEA Meteorological 1.5 m — 78 km
1913 SOLOMON SEA Earthquake 0.1 m — 146 km
1969 BISMARCK SEA Eruption + Earthquake — — 85 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 67°F (19°C) 9.5 in
February 67°F (19°C) 9.3 in Warmest
March 66°F (19°C) 10.4 in Wettest
April 66°F (19°C) 8.5 in
May 66°F (19°C) 7.3 in
June 64°F (18°C) 4.8 in Driest
July 64°F (18°C) 5.5 in Coldest
August 64°F (18°C) 5.2 in
September 65°F (18°C) 8.2 in
October 65°F (18°C) 9.1 in
November 66°F (19°C) 8.7 in
December 67°F (19°C) 9.8 in

Wau has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 64°F in July to 67°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 96.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (10.4") and June the driest (4.8").

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