Fiji experienced historically low levels of rainfall last month compared to the same period in previous years.
The Fiji Weather Office reported that certain areas, such as Matei Airfield in Taveuni and Savusavu, received the lowest amount of rainfall for the month of October since they started keeping records back in 1956.
The weather office attributed the dry spell to an El Niño event happening in the tropical Pacific. El Niño events typically result in less rainfall in Fiji. Although Fiji will experience some increase in rainfall into the wet season starting in November, the Fiji MET says it might not be as much as usual due to the ongoing El Niño.
However, conditions in the southwest Pacific may become favorable in the coming week, as a weather pattern called the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is expected to bring more tropical weather activity to the region. This could lead to some much-needed rain in parts of Fiji due to a low-pressure system.
