Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
D. METEOROLOGICAL
There was a severe drought from 1890 to 1894 throughout the Phoenix Islands (Knudsen
1965).
Ellis (1937) noted that there were periods of bad weather that could last for months. These
were set off by easterly weather and the current setting to the west for several years in
succession.
In the last months of 1940, severe gales hit the Phoenix Islands (Knudsen 1965). All islands
had damage to housing, coconut trees, and new plantings.
In 1947, another drought hit the Phoenix Islands (Knudsen 1965).
Maude (1953) noted that it appeared that the strong heat radiation from bare Phoenix islands
split approaching rain clouds. This resulted in precipitation lower on the island than in the
surrounding seas. Maude (1953) suggested that if reflection of heat could be reduced, then
rainfall could be increased.
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