Climate Change Overview

Country Summary

This page presents high-level information for Tuvalu's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter).  Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Tuvalu's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.

Tuvalu is a microstate of the Polynesian sub-region of the southern Pacific Ocean which consists of nine atolls. It is located approximately 1,100 km north of Fiji and 1,400 km south of the Republic of Kiribati. The island consists of nine islands that stretch 579 km in length. The average height above sea level is less than 3 m with the highest point above seal level bring 4.6 m in Niulakita. Tuvalu’s population is approximately 11,800 (2020) people. Fisheries is the major source of the national economy. 

Tuvalu is particularly vulnerable to cyclone-generated winds, storm surges and swells, as well as spring tides. Since 1993, Tuvalu’s sea level has been rising by approximately 5 mm per year.