Climate.
The climate in New Caledonia is similar to that of other tropical countries that are situated at the tropic region. During the warm season (mid-November to mid-April), there are frequent tropical depressions and cyclones that produce large amounts of precipitation. The cool season (mid-May to mid-September) features less rainfall. During mid-September to mid-November, clear weather and strong southeasterly trade winds dominates New Caledonia during these months. The island of Grande Terre of New Caledonia has a chain of tall mountains that run along the entire island. This mountain chain generates orographic rainfall and high precipitation patterns on the windward-eastern slope of the mountains. It is here that annual precipitation totals can exceed over 2,500 mm. The leeward-western slope of Grande Terre is a rain shadow and this is where the dry forests of New Caledonia are located. On the leeward side the precipitation is low—an annual precipitation total less than 1,500 mm (Lowry, mobot.org). Although in the driest years, the total annual rainfall can be as low as 250-300 mm at some sites. Hence, the term “dry forest” is given to forests that develop in dry climate—have less than 1,100mm of rain per year. The dry forest ecoregion of New Caledonia have an average temperature of 74°F (23.3°C), where the average high temperature can exceed over 81.1°F (27.2°C).
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