Parks and reserves

Pulu Keeling National Park

robber crab

Climate

Climate | Cyclones | Fauna | Flora | Marine Environment | Geology | Geomorphology and Typography | Hydrology

The climate of the island probably corresponds closely with that of the main atoll of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. They are situated in the humid tropical zone and are at the southern edge of the equatorial low pressure belt which moves northwards and southwards according to the season. The Islands are subject to the north-west monsoons from January to May moderated by oceanic conditions. Relatively strong constant south-east trade winds blow for much of the year outside the monsoon season and often during it.

There is an annual rainfall varying between about 844 and 3,289 mm with an average of 1,976 mm pa and relatively uniform temperatures, with an average daily maximum temperature of 28.9°C and average daily minimum temperature of 24.4°C and relative humidity typically ranging between 65% and 90% with a mean of 75%. The predominant wind direction is east to southeast for all months, showing the influence of the southeast trade winds.

Information about the historical and forecasted rainfall, temperatures and relative humidity in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands region can be found at the Bureau of Meteorology's Cocos Island area page