Monthly weather forecast and climate
Wake Island, USA

Wake Island has a tropical climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), with hot and humid temperatures throughout the year. The tiny island is part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, between Midway and Guam. The V-shaped atoll lies just 19°N north of the equator and receives overhead sunshine most of the year. The island's time zone is the farthest east in the United States, approximately 24 hours ahead of the mainland. The tropical location and the surrounding ocean waters are the chief factors that influence the climate.

Wake Island consists of three islets, a lagoon, and a barrier reef. The largest, Wake Islet, lies to the southeast, while Peale is in the north and Wilkes on the south. A lagoon, with an average depth of 5 meters, separates the islets along with a reef. The lagoon waters are calm and boast of diverse species of fish. The island has numerous trees, shrubs typical of the tropical Pacific islands, and white, sandy beaches. The terrain is full of scrub forests up to 5 meters high, the landscape is rocky, and consists of tropical trees, such as the Tournefortia. The island lacks freshwater sources. The average elevation is at sea level, with the highest elevation at 6 meters above the sea level.

Wake Island has two main seasons, a wet one from April to November and a dry one from December to March. The average high temperatures reach a peak of 88°F (31.1°C) from July to September, while the average low temperatures drop to 72°F (22.2°C) in February. Temperatures vary little, and the maximum change in average temperatures over the year is 6°F (-14.4°C). Northeasterly trade winds are active in the dry season, while high-speed winds above 100mph (160.9km/h) blow during the onslaught of tropical storms. The typhoon season lasts from June to November and brings heavy rain and violent winds.

The annual precipitation in Wake Island is an ample 36" (914mm), although a significant part occurs during storms. August to October is the wettest period of the year and contributes to 50% of the yearly rainfall. The sun always smiles on the islands and shines for at least 3000 hours annually. The humidity increases during the wet months when the wind speeds are the lowest. Seawater temperatures remain above 80°F (26.7°C) on average over the year. Temperature extremes are rare on the land due to the surrounding large body of ocean water.

The best time to visit Wake Island is from December to March when the heat is tolerable. The temperatures remain mostly below 85°F (29.4°C) during the day, with a moderate level of humidity. The intensity of the sunrays is at the lowest of the year during December and January. The driest period occurs from December to February, which keeps the skies clear and the days sunny. The waters are calm and mild in the absence of the storms that are common in the wet season.

The worst time to visit Wake Island is from August to October in the wet season. The precipitation is at its peak, and the frequency of storms is the highest during the period. The rise in humidity and cloud cover increases the heat index. Conditions become oppressive to people from temperate regions as the temperatures rise to the highest of the year. Tropical storms disturb the usually calm waters surrounding the islands, and occasionally even the lagoon waters.

Wake Island is prone to thunderstorms and typhoons from June to November. Wind speeds reach over 150mph (241.4km/h), and severe rainfall makes the conditions challenging. The seas are rough during the squalls and the visibility limits to short distances. A category five super typhoon in August 2006 drove high-impact waves directly into the lagoon, causing significant damage. Typhoons cause major damage to non-reinforced structures on the island. The island is susceptible to droughts with no sources of freshwater.

January is the driest month of the year in Wake Island with only 1.2" (30mm) of rainfall. The conditions are pleasant, with the average temperatures in the 73°F (22.8°C) to 82°F (27.8°C) range. The skies are blue, as the winds chase away any stray clouds. Weather in January »

February is the coldest month of the year in Wake Island, with the average temperatures in a steady 72°F (22.2°C) to 82°F (27.8°C) range. The conditions are pleasant, even though the sunshine is bright and lasts for at least 8 hours a day. The afternoons are usually the time when the waves remain at the farthest distance from the sandy shores. Weather in February »

March is a dry month in Wake Island, with the sun slowly returning to its full intensity after the mild winter. The average precipitation is to the tune of 2.2" (56mm), with moderate spells of rain. The temperatures are in the agreeable range of 73°F (22.8°C) to 83°F (28.3°C), with clear skies amid low water vapor in the atmosphere. Weather in March »

April sees a significant increase in the intensity of the sunrays in Wake Island and mostly clear skies. It rains for an average of 17 days in the month, but the showers rarely last for extended periods. The average temperatures remain in the range of 73°F (22.8°C) to 84°F (28.9°C), with hot days and mild nights at the service of the inhabitants. Weather in April »

May is hot in Wake Island, with the average temperatures in the 75°F (23.9°C) to 86°F (30°C) range. The cloud cover is sparse, and the sun switches to scorching mode. The radiation from the sun reaches dangerous proportions by afternoon, and a sun hat is mandatory to remain cool on the coast. Weather in May »

June is hot in Wake Island as the beginning of the wet season sees an increase in rainfall. The precipitation averages 2.3" (58mm) in the month, with the possibility of rain every day. The warm sea breeze does not allow the night temperatures to drop significantly. Weather in June »

July is hot and humid in Wake Island as the average temperatures register in the 77°F (25°C) to 88°F (31.1°C). It is the period of thunderstorms in the region, with squalls churning the usually calm waters. However, tropical storms usually clear in short periods, and the skies rarely remain cloudy for long periods. The rainfall is up to 4" (102mm) in July, mainly due to storm activity. Weather in July »

August begins a harsh period in Wake Island, with thundering typhoons, heavy rain, heat, and humidity. The wettest month of the year receives an average of 6.2" (157mm) of precipitation, thanks to frequent thunderstorms. The average temperatures are in the high range of 77°F (25°C) to 88°F (31.1°C), but the increased humidity makes the conditions oppressive. Weather in August »

September is torrid in Wake Island, with the temperatures in the average 77°F (25°C) to 88°F (31.1°C) zone amid heavy rainfall. The days are mostly sunny except for periods of rough weather, while the nights remain warm. The island is short in mountains and hills that can have a bearing on the climate. The precipitation is to the tune of 5" (127mm) during 19 wet days in the month. Weather in September »

October sees partly cloudy skies amid 4.3" (109mm) of precipitation in Wake Island. The average temperatures are in the warm 77°F (25°C) to the hot 87°F (30.6°C) range, and the humidity is above 80% during the month. October lies in the storm season, with occasional squalls bringing the majority of the rainfall. Tidal patterns change drastically, and the possibility of destructive waves is always on the cards. Weather in October »

November is a transitional period from the wet to the dry season in Wake Island, with an average rainfall of 2.8" (71mm) in the month. The average temperatures drop slightly to register in the warm 76°F (24.4°C) to 85°F (29.4°C) range. Wind speeds are in the standard 10 to 20mph (32.2km/h) range during much of the month. Weather in November »

December sees a pleasant change in conditions in Wake Island, with mostly clear skies, and the end of the storm season. The average low temperature is at a comfortable 74°F (23.3°C), while the average high-temperature registers at a moderate 84°F (28.9°C). Weather in December »