FIJI shivered through one of its coldest mornings in decades yesterday, with Nadarivatu plunging to a chilling 8.3 Degrees Celsius — the lowest temperature recorded there since 1987.
According to the Fiji Meteorological Service, the last time Nadarivatu hit similar lows was 8.0 °C recorded on July 20, 1986, and again on September 3, 1987.
The cold snap was felt across the country overnight Thursday into Friday, with early morning temperatures in major centres showing significant drops — 17.5°C in Navua, 18°C in Nadi, 14.6°C in Ba, Nadarivatu dropping to 8.3°C, Monasavu recording 11.8°C, Labasa hitting 12.5°C and Lakeba at 15.7°C.
Fiji Met attributed the icy temperatures to a dominant southerly wind flow, bringing in dry and cool air across the islands — a common pattern during Fiji’s dry season from May to October.
“This pattern is typical during the dry months in Fiji,” said a spokesperson from the Met office.
“We anticipate similar temperature ranges to continue through early next week as the current weather pattern holds.”
