Seychelles Records Driest Year in Decade Amid Extreme Weather Patterns
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The National Bureau of Statistics has released new meteorological data highlighting significant weather extremes in Seychelles during 2025, with the country experiencing its lowest annual rainfall in the period from 2015 to 2025 even as monthly patterns showed sharp variations. The driest year in a decade saw Seychelles record only 1,019.6 millimetres of rainfall across the entire year, representing a dramatic decline from the record high of 3,671.3mm registered in 2017.
A line graph tracking annual rainfall from 2015 to 2018 shows a fluctuating but generally elevated pattern until last year, when rainfall peaked sharply in 2017 before plunging in 2018, confirming the unusually dry conditions. The data, sourced from the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, underscores a notable shift in precipitation levels that could have implications for water resources, agriculture, and the environment in the island nation.
Monthly rainfall in 2018 displayed even starker contrasts. January emerged as the wettest month by a significant margin, with 826.9mm of rain, standing markedly higher than any other month. In contrast, the remaining months recorded substantially lower precipitation, with October registering the least at just over 10mm. December saw a partial recovery with approximately 300mm, while February, March, and November also posted relatively low totals compared to January.
Temperature data for 2018 further illustrates the variable conditions. An average monthly temperature chart indicates that May recorded the highest average at 27.1 degrees Celsius, while August marked the coolest month with an average of 23.9 degrees Celsius. The line graph shows temperatures rising steadily from January through May before declining through the middle of the year and rising again towards the end of 2018.
The release of these statistics coincides with World Meteorological Day, an annual observance that highlights the importance of meteorology in understanding and addressing climate challenges. The data provides valuable insights for policymakers as Seychelles continues to develop strategies for climate adaptation and water resource management in the face of increasingly variable weather patterns.
Seychelles’ driest year in a decade highlights growing climate variability and the importance of meteorological monitoring.
