Climate for Station: Midway is Henderson Fld Ap, Midway Atoll, Midway Islands [United States}

Climate Analysis & Overview

The climate profile for Midway's Henderson Field Airport reveals a nuanced picture of warming trends and evolving precipitation patterns. While long-term data indicates a warming trend, recent years show a more complex interplay of temperature changes. The precipitation has become slightly more evenly distributed, suggesting subtle shifts in weather dynamics.

Subtle Warming Trends

Midway's Henderson Field Airport, located at 28.2°N, -177.3833°W, experiences a tropical savanna climate, classified as 'Aw' under the Köppen system. This classification is characterised by a distinct wet and dry season, with the surrounding Pacific Ocean playing a crucial role in moderating temperatures. Over the all-time record, there is a warming trend in high temperatures of 0.06°C (0.11°F), while low temperatures have increased by 0.23°C (0.41°F). This suggests a general warming pattern, particularly in nighttime temperatures, which can have implications for local biodiversity and energy consumption.

Recent Temperature Variability

In contrast to the long-term warming, the past decade shows a more varied pattern. High temperatures have risen by 0.20°C (0.36°F), indicating a continuation of the warming trend. However, low temperatures have slightly decreased by 0.02°C (0.03°F), a divergence that could be attributed to short-term climatic fluctuations or changes in local atmospheric conditions. This variability highlights the importance of considering both short-term and long-term data in climate assessments.

Precipitation Patterns: A Subtle Shift

The Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) is a measure of how precipitation is distributed over time. A decrease in PCI from a baseline of 12.90 to a current value of 11.57 suggests that precipitation is becoming more evenly distributed throughout the year. This marginal change indicates a slight shift towards more regular rainfall events, which could benefit local ecosystems by reducing the risk of extreme weather events such as droughts or floods.

Temperature Extremes and Records

Midway has experienced temperature extremes with a record high of 35.5°C (95.9°F) and a record low of 9.4°C (48.9°F). These extremes underscore the range of temperatures that can occur in this tropical savanna climate, influenced by oceanic currents and atmospheric conditions.

Regional Climate Goals and Implications

The Midway Islands are part of broader United States efforts to address climate change, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. The observed warming trends and changes in precipitation distribution at Henderson Field Airport provide valuable insights into the local manifestations of global climate change. These data points are essential for informing regional climate strategies and ensuring sustainable development in the face of evolving climatic conditions.

Station Statistics

10-Year Trend

High: +0.18 °C/decade

Low: +0.01 °C/decade

Rain: +0.62 mm/decade

25-Year Trend

High: +0.82 °C/decade

Low: -0.47 °C/decade

Rain: -0.06 mm/decade

50-Year Trend

High: -0.02 °C/decade

Low: +0.22 °C/decade

Rain: -0.13 mm/decade

All-Time Trend

High: +0.06 °C/decade

Low: +0.23 °C/decade

Rain: -0.13 mm/decade

Percentage Above-Average Days

Last 12 Months: 49.3%

This Year: 47.4%

Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) ℹ️

Last 12 Months: 12.1

Historical Average: 13.4

Percentile Rank of Last 12 Months ℹ️

High: 62^nd percentile

Low: 80^th percentile

Rain: 40^th percentile

Change in Variance ℹ️

High: -0.9%

Low: -6.0%

Intraday: -41.2%

Data Coverage

94.9%

First Year of Data

1950

Station Location

Historical Weather Records

	Max High	Avg High	Min High	Max Avg	Avg Avg	Min Avg	Max Low	Avg Low	Min Low	Max Precipitation	Avg Precipitation	Max Snow	Avg Snow
Record	35.5 °C	—	14.4 °C	29.6 °C	—	12.9 °C	30.0 °C	—	9.4 °C	186.2 mm	—	1778.0 mm	—
January	28.0 °C	21.1 °C	15.4 °C	24.3 °C	19.3 °C	13.3 °C	23.5 °C	17.4 °C	9.4 °C	128.0 mm	3.5 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
February	27.2 °C	20.8 °C	15.0 °C	23.9 °C	18.9 °C	14.0 °C	23.3 °C	17.0 °C	10.0 °C	77.5 mm	3.2 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
March	27.2 °C	21.2 °C	14.4 °C	24.0 °C	19.2 °C	12.9 °C	22.7 °C	17.6 °C	10.6 °C	97.8 mm	2.3 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
April	27.8 °C	22.2 °C	15.6 °C	24.6 °C	20.1 °C	13.2 °C	23.9 °C	18.5 °C	11.7 °C	127.0 mm	1.8 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
May	30.6 °C	23.7 °C	17.5 °C	26.8 °C	21.7 °C	16.8 °C	25.0 °C	20.2 °C	12.8 °C	172.7 mm	1.8 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
June	31.7 °C	26.5 °C	19.4 °C	28.1 °C	24.4 °C	18.8 °C	27.2 °C	23.0 °C	16.1 °C	186.2 mm	1.8 mm	1778.0 mm	1.4 mm
July	33.3 °C	27.8 °C	23.6 °C	29.3 °C	25.8 °C	22.3 °C	27.2 °C	24.2 °C	17.2 °C	97.0 mm	2.2 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
August	35.5 °C	28.3 °C	23.9 °C	29.6 °C	26.3 °C	22.4 °C	30.0 °C	24.7 °C	17.8 °C	115.6 mm	3.0 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
September	33.3 °C	28.2 °C	23.0 °C	29.3 °C	26.2 °C	21.6 °C	27.9 °C	24.5 °C	17.8 °C	94.7 mm	2.7 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
October	32.7 °C	26.5 °C	20.0 °C	29.0 °C	24.6 °C	19.0 °C	27.2 °C	23.0 °C	15.0 °C	173.5 mm	2.4 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
November	33.8 °C	24.4 °C	17.2 °C	26.5 °C	22.7 °C	15.3 °C	25.6 °C	21.1 °C	12.8 °C	157.2 mm	3.1 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm
December	27.8 °C	22.6 °C	15.9 °C	25.4 °C	20.9 °C	15.2 °C	24.2 °C	19.0 °C	10.6 °C	124.5 mm	3.1 mm	0.0 mm	0.0 mm