Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
On Abariringa (Canton), rainfall ranged from less than 20 cm (8 inches) in 1954, to almost
178 cm (70 inches) in 1958, and 284 cm (112 inches) in 1941 (Bryan 1974). Rainfall varied
considerably between years and between months (McIntire 1960).
In 1973, Abariringa (Canton) had 250 cm (98.42 inches) of rain (Mueller-Dombois and
Fosberg 1998). In 1994, there was no rainfall at all.
A summary of monthly Abariringa (Kanton) rainfall was presented in Department of
Agriculture (1987). In that year, 125 cm (49.53 inches) of rain fell.
In January 1994, Canton Island had 3 mm rainfall, just 4 percent of average (Anon. 1994a).
In February 1994, Canton Island again had 3 mm rainfall. In March 1994, no rainfall was
measured on Canton Island. Record high rainfall (31.5 cm; 12.40 inches) was recorded for
Canton in August 1994 (Anon. 1994b). This was six times the average monthly rainfall.
Banner and Banner (1964) reported that rainfall on Abariringa (Canton) was slight. Knudsen
(1965) reported the average annual rainfall between 1938 and 1954 was 48 cm (18.77
inches).
In 1972, NOAA shut down the upper-air and sea-level stations at Abariringa (Canton)
(TOGA Panel 1996). This closed down occurred right at the beginning of the 1972-1973 El
Niño event and ended the 20 years time series data set. TOGA Panel (1996) reported that the
U.S. entered into a bilateral agreement with New Zealand for the maintenance of the upperair
station at Abariringa (Canton) which was subsequently closed.
Garnett (1983) reported that the mean rainfall for Abariringa (Canton) was 70 cm (0.7 m) (23
year average; 27.56 inches) with maximum of 160 cm (1.6 m; 62.99 inches) and minimum of
20 cm (0.2 m; 7.87 inches).
Abariringa (Canton) had a mean annual rainfall of 71.0 cm (27.95 inches) between 1942 and
1967 and 1972 to 1975) (Fosberg and Stoddart 1994).
In August 1994, Abariringa (Canton) experienced record high rainfalls of 31.5 cm (12.40
inches) just over six times average (Anon. 1994b). This was related to the continuation of the
1991 to 1994 ENSO episode.
Oates (2003) noted that rain water collection was usually adequate from March to August,
but after that freshwater stills were needed.
Temperature and Humidity - McIntire (1960) reported that since Abariringa (Canton) was
low (less than 6.1 m (20 ft) in elevation), it had no impact on climate. There were no
noticeable seasonal changes, however, temperatures were slightly lower during December to
February (averaged 28.3 ° C (83 0 F) compared with 28.7°C (83.7 0 F) during the rest of the year).
Hatheway (1955) reported average temperatures of 28.9°C (84 0 F) and ranged from 21.7 to
36.7°C (71 0 to 98 0 F). Relative humidity ranged from 57 to 85 percent.
Air temperatures were constant at 25.6°C (78 0 F) at night and 31.1°C (88 0 F) during the day
(Degener and Gillaspy 1955). In 1955, the maximum temperature on Abariringa (Canton)
was 32.2°C (90 0 F) and the lowest temperature was 22.8°C (73 0 F) (Wiens 1962).
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