Weather Lombok Island, Indonesia
Lombok is a typical tropical hot and humid Indonesian island situated in the archipelago of Lesser Sunda in the south-central part of Indonesia.
Though highly humid, it has a much drier climate than that of the neighboring island of Bali, and is situated next to the climatic and bio-geographical boundary of the Lombok Strait.
The island of Lombok enjoys tropical wet and dry savannah weather, which is generally dissimilar to the climate of the nearby tropical rainforest island of Bali, which is roughly 18km away. These diversities in both climate and biology make the island of Lombok an ideal alternative holiday spot for tourists visiting the more renowned island of Bali. Furthermore, Lombok and its surrounding giliâs offer its visitors some of the world's most stunning beaches and coastal vistas.
Climate
Lombok's annual climate is divided into two general weather patterns of wet and dry seasons. The wet season usually arrives in the month of October and intensifies during November, the wettest month of the year, and may last until March of the following year. The total annual rainfall is at 1088mm and annual humidity averages at 84.6 percent.
The dry season starts as early as March and lasts until the month of September.
Lying just south of the equator, Lombok enjoys approximately 12 hours of daylight every day throughout the year. The prevalent wind directions change every two months, and monsoon rains are short and localized. However, Lombok inhabitants are not strangers to the yearly visits of tropical storms that may come from any direction.
Wind on Lomobok
From January to February, a predominant gentle breeze blows from the west to northwest. By March to April, a light breeze blows from the east to northwest.
The prevailing gentle breeze blows from south to southeast during the months of May and lasts until August. By September to October, this wind turns its direction once again, and this time it moves from east to south. From November through December, gentle breeze blows from south to southwest.
Furthermore, the islanders of Lombok enjoy high surfs and swells all year round. These high surfs and swells have come to the attention of tourists visiting nearby Bali.
Compared to the neighboring Bali, the surf around Lombok is regarded as of lower quality. The exception to this is the surf at Desert Point, which was once voted as having the best wave of the world.
Wet Season
During the wet season, the temperature in the island of Lombok is generally warmer than during the dry season, averaging at a mean of 28°C. Moreover, the temperature has a slight variation from month to month throughout the wet season and is considered moderate.
September-October: The month of September marks the end of dry season, and October officially starts the wet season. During these months, the daily chance of rainfall increases from 3 to 9 days averaging 109mm of rainfall monthly. The temperature ranges from a maximum of 31°C to a minimum of 22°C. This warm temperature is partly affected by the temperature of the sea at 28°. Like September, the month of October experiences 10 hours of sunlight. Also, the island of Lombok has a moderately high 76 percent of humidity at this time of the year.
November: Rainy season reaches 216mm of rainfall during the month of November, with 13 days of rain. Humidity by this time increases to 80 percent. The prevailing mean average temperature is still 28°C, but the maximum temperature lowers to 32°C at midday, as compared to that of the previous month and goes down to a minimum of 24°C at night. Tourists visiting Lombok can still enjoy a daily average of 9 hours of sunlight. Prevailing wind direction moves from south to southwest, with gentle breezes that may last until December.
December: The climate during the month of December is very similar to that of November. The average mean temperature and the seawater temperature remain exactly the same. The maximum average temperature during December is 31°C, and the minimum average temperature is 24°C in the evening. There is a slight change in humidity reading from 80 percent to 81 percent, which usually lasts until March of the succeeding year. During this month, rainfall starts to diminish in strength but not in frequency. The probability of rain increases to 17 days, with a total average of 140mm of rain.
January-February-March: During the months of January until May, temperature has uniform averages. During this 5-month period, the mean average temperature is 24°C, and the average sea temperature is 29°C. The daily sunshine is around 8 hours a day. Furthermore, humidity is the same from January to March at 81 percent.
Rain gradually falls 97mm in January, with 15 days probability of rain. However, by February, rain increases until March and diminishes at the start of April.
Dry Season
April: The island of Lombokâs dry season roughly corresponds to spring and summer in the temperate zone. It generally starts in the month of April but may come as early as March. The probability of rain drops from 15 days in March to 12 days in April. There is a decrease in rainfall from 135mm of rain during the month of March to 92mm of rain in April. Humidity early in this dry season month gradually decreases from previous 81 percent to 80 percent. Sunshine, however, remains at around 8 hours during April until May. During this month, surfers start to enjoy the marked growth of the swells. From the previous size of 1.2 to1.5m in January to March, the swell will almost double in size by April to 1.8m.
May-June: The climate during these months is starting to get balmier, as humidity drops further to 77 percent. Significant also is the drop in precipitation levels, which leads to a decrease in rainfall levels from 60mm in May to 27mm in June.
July-August: Temperature around Lombok further decreases to a 26°C mean average, and humidity decreases further to 75 percent in July to 72 percent in August. The long period of swells around Desert Point grows to 2.1 to 2.4m in height during this month. Sunlight, on average, increases to 9 hours â" a welcome surprise to the visitors from the nearby island of Bali.
