Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from across the Pacific have converged on Honiara this week for a landmark workshop to review the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy (PIMS) 2017–2026 and begin drafting the region’s successor strategy through to 2036.

El Niño conditions are likely to develop by mid-2026, according to the 18th Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF-18) which was held over 23–24 April 2026 in Nadi, Fiji. The forum, coordinated by the WMO RA-V Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network, convened experts from across the Pacific to assess current climate conditions and provide seasonal outlook guidance.

Kiribati and Samoa are set to receive 20 new SOFAR Smart Mooring buoys, with 10 destined for Kiribati and 10 for Samoa, to strengthen real-time ocean and climate information for communities and decision-makers across both countries. The deployment is funded through the European Union-funded Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA Pacific) programme, implemented by SPREP in partnership with Kiribati Meteorological Services and Samoa Meteorological Services.

Nuku’alofa, Tonga — The Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) has taken a significant step forward in its quality improvement journey, with staff completing internal auditor training as part of an ongoing effort to bring its weather, climate, ocean and early warning services in line with international standards.