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Weather & Climate in Wau, Papua New Guinea
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wau enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 67°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 161 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 96.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 3,868 feet.
Temperature
67°F Jan (19°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 65.4°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 161 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,868 ft (1,179 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,961/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -7.3420°N, 146.7240°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Port_Moresby |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,294 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.6.
| Sep 10, 2022 | 70 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea | M7.6 | 119 km | 116 km |
| May 6, 2019 | 32 km NW of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea | M7.1 | 51 km | 146 km |
| Jul 17, 2020 | 114 km NNW of Popondetta, Papua New Guinea | M7.0 | 128 km | 73 km |
| Mar 21, 2012 | 11 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea | M6.6 | 149 km | 118 km |
| Apr 5, 1997 | 49 km W of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea | M6.5 | 122 km | 69 km |
| Apr 6, 1999 | 21 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M6.4 | 96 km | 33 km |
| Jun 5, 2001 | 45 km NW of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea | M6.4 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Sep 22, 1995 | 79 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea | M6.2 | 145 km | 45 km |
| Apr 17, 2010 | 33 km E of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M6.2 | 98 km | 53 km |
| Nov 5, 1991 | 64 km E of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea | M6.2 | 127 km | 105 km |
| Jun 4, 2005 | 47 km NNW of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M6.1 | 115 km | 26 km |
| Dec 18, 1992 | 30 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M6.1 | 106 km | 29 km |
| Feb 9, 1996 | 89 km NNW of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M6.1 | 150 km | 69 km |
| May 21, 1992 | 66 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M6.0 | 142 km | 48 km |
| Jun 5, 2001 | 49 km NNW of Bulolo, Papua New Guinea | M6.0 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2008 | 87 km NNW of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M5.9 | 147 km | 35 km |
| Feb 8, 1999 | 107 km N of Kokoda, Papua New Guinea | M5.9 | 128 km | 70 km |
| Sep 21, 1996 | 37 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea | M5.9 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Jun 30, 2001 | 43 km NW of Lae, Papua New Guinea | M5.9 | 104 km | 104 km |
| Jan 8, 2017 | 54 km NW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea | M5.9 | 149 km | 61 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
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.
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").