Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
Thomas (2003) noted that prolonged droughts were common in many of the Phoenix Islands.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
Meteorological data for Abariringa (Canton) for 1937 to 1950 was reported in Fellgren
(1950). Detailed data on rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind from 1951 to 1965 for
Abariringa (Canton) were reported in Weather Bureau (1951 to 1965). Meteorological data
for Abariringa (Canton) for 1966 was reported in Environmental Data Service (1966).
There was a NOAA meteorological station on Abariringa (Kanton) (Kaufmann 2000).
Winds - Prevailing winds are easterly from the east or east-northeast (Hydrographic Office
1940). Westerly winds are practically unknown on Abariringa (Canton). Wind velocity
was 22 to 26 km per hour (12 to 14 knots) (McIntire 1960). Over 90 percent of the wind was
from east-northeast to east-southeast, with east winds predominating.
Between December 1940 and February 1941, there were several weeks of strong westerly
winds on Abariringa (Canton) (Van Zwaluwenburg 1942). Wind speeds up to 102 km per
hour (55 knots) were attained.
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