Climate · Glossary

Weather & climate glossary

Plain-language definitions of common terms used in Niue’s forecasts, warnings and climate products.

Cyclone Afā Tokaimaka: A rotating storm system that spins clockwise in the southern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere, formed by very low air pressure and bringing strong winds, storm clouds and heavy rain. A system is classed as a cyclone once winds reach 34 knots. It is called a “hurricane” in the Atlantic and the eastern Pacific near America, and a “typhoon” in the western Pacific near Asia.; NiueanKo e putuputuaga aolū ne kovili ke he faahi matau he faahi toga he ekueta ka e kovili ke he faahi hema he faahi tokelau he ekueta. Ko e kovili nei ne kitia e tokolalo lahi he mamafa he ea, ti putoia ai e tau matagi malōlō, tau aolū uha mo e tau uha mamafa. Ko e mafiti he matagi ka fakaevaleti e tau aagi matagi ko e 34 nota. Ne fakahigoa e afā nai ko e ’halikene’ (Hurricane) he faahi atu he lalolagi he Etelenetiki mo e Faahi atu Pafifika ne tata ki Amelika. Ne fakahigoa ko e ’taifunu’ po ke tiotio tokaimaka; he faahi lalo he Pasifika ne lata mo e tau motu i Asia.
Tropical storm Afā tokaimaka: The name for strong winds or cyclones north of the equator in the Pacific is “typhoon”; in America and the Atlantic Ocean they are called “hurricane”.; NiueanKo e higoa he tau matagi malolo poke afa tokaimaka he haahi tokelau ki lalo he ekueta he Pasifika ko e taifunu (typhoon); fakahigoa ko e halikene (hurricane) he faahi i Amelika mo e moana Etelenetiki.
Fair weather Afua: Conditions where cloud covers only a small part of the sky (about 4/10ths), with no rain and no problems from wind or daytime heat.; NiueanKo e tuaga he matagi ka tote e aolu (4/10ths) he lagi, ai fai uha, ti ai fai lekua ke he matagi mo e vevela he aho.
Overcast Aho Lagi uha: A day when nine-tenths (9/10) or more of the sky is covered by rain-bearing cloud.; NiueanKo e aho ka hiva e mena ke hogofuluaki (9/10) e pulagi ne fai aolū lagilagi uha.
Rain day Aho uha: A day on which more than 0.2 mm of rain is recorded.; NiueanKo e aho uha kaeke ke molea e 0.2mm he vai uha ne moua.
Black ice Aisa uli: A thin, transparent layer of ice common in cold countries, often seen on roads where it looks dark like the road surface.; NiueanFa mahani ke feleveia mo e vahega aisa nai he tau motu makalili. Ko e aisa tavana, fa kitia he tau puhala tū ti, ata uli ni tuga e vali tā he puhala tū.
Ozone layer Aolagi Osone: A layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere, roughly 15–20 km above the earth’s surface (overall some 12–40 km up, and densest at 20–25 km). It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is being depleted by chlorine- and bromine-bearing gases released into the air — most rapidly over Antarctica during August–October.; NiueanKo e kese osone ne viko takai he vahaloto he tua ke tahaaki mo e tua ke uaaki he pulagi likoliko. Ne 15–20 kilomita he mamao mo e fugakelekele he lalolagi. Matolu lahi e osone he matakavi 20–25km. Ko e aoga he kili aolagi osone nai ke hakahaka e tau malolo hila ne kikila mai he la ke he fua lalolagi. Muaatu e otioti mafiti he kili aolagi osone ke he enetakatika he atu mahina Aokuso-Oketopa.
Cold front Aolū Mokomoko: The leading edge of a mass of cold, dense air moving toward the equator, which pushes warmer equatorial air upward as it advances — cold air replacing warm.; NiueanHaha ia ia ke he tau matakavi makalili e ea momoko lahi ti matolu ne fa mahani ke holo ke he ekueta. Ti maeke agataha he ea nai ke poka hake e ea mafana he ekueta ki luga ia ia. Ku a tuipū po ke huhui he ea momoko e ea mafana.
Warm front Aolū mafana: The leading edge of warm, light air moving toward colder regions and riding up over the cold air — warm air replacing cold.; NiueanHaha i ai ke he tau matakavi vevela e ea māmā ne holo atu ke he tau pole makalili, mo e nofo ki luga he ea momoko. Kua tuipū po ke huhui he ea mafana e ea makalili.
Occluded front Aolū Lafilafi: Forms when a fast-moving cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting the warm sector so that the cold and warm air mix together.; NiueanKaeke ke holo mafiti e ea makalili i luga he ea mafana, ti nofo i mua he aolū mafana, to pā e vala mafana ka e fio ua e tau aolu mafana mo e aolu makalili, ti moua ai e aolū lafilafi.
Equatorial Pacific Atu Motu Pasifika he Ekueta: The Pacific islands lying close to the equator, between 10° south and 10° north.; NiueanKo e tau atu motu he Pasifika ne tu tata ke he ekueta, ne putoia ke he 10° ke he Faahi Toga mo e 10° ke he Faahi Tokelau.
Equator Ekueta: The line around the middle of the earth, equidistant from the South and North Poles. It lies closest to the sun and so is very hot all year round.; NiueanKo e laini he lotoga he fua lalolagi ne tatai e femamao aki mai he pole toga he lalolagi mo e pole tokelau he lalolagi. Ko e matakavi nai ne tata tumau ke he laa ti lahi e vela he tau ti tū.
El Niño Ela Nino: A period when the trade winds blowing from the east weaken, allowing warm water from the Indonesian region to flow eastward across the Pacific toward Peru. This shifts weather patterns across the Pacific and warms the ocean near the equator. It tends to occur roughly every 7 years.; NiueanKo e magahala he El Nino, to lolelole e matagi malagai ka e une hake e malolo he matagi ne aagi mai he ekueta ti lagā e puke tahi mafana he atu indonesia ke tafe atu ke he faahi uta he atu Pasifika – he atu Peru. Ko e mena ia ka hiki oti e tuaga matagi he atu Pasifika. Fa mahani ke tupu e lekua nai he tau magahala 7 tau.
Isobar Isopā: A line on a weather map joining places of equal air pressure at a given time.; NiueanKo e laini he mepe fuafua matagi ne talaga mai he tau fuafuaaga he mamafa he ea he tau matakavi kehekehe he taha mogo.
Isotherm Isofema: A line on a weather map joining points of equal temperature at a given time.; NiueanKo e laini he mepe fuafua matagi ne moua he tutaki e tau poini fuafua vevela he ea he taha e mogo.
Evaporate Ivepolesi: The change of liquid water into water vapour, seen when wet ground dries under strong sun and wind.; NiueanKo e fakafaliuaga he vai puke ke he mao vai. Kitia ka mamiti noa e pelapela ka lahi e laa mo e havili.
Advisory Fakailoaaga ke he Tuaga he Matagi: A message from the regional cyclone-watch offices (such as Fiji) to national meteorological services about weather conditions or a nearby cyclone, including the likely wind strength, track and any precautions to take.; NiueanFekau talahau mai he tau Ofisa kitekite afā he atu Pasifika tuga a Fiji, ke he tau Faahi Gahua Fuafua Matagi he motu, hagaao ke he tuaga he matagi ma e motu poke tau matagi afā tata mai mo e fakalatalata ke he maō he havili, hala ka fano ai mo e tau hataki kua lata.
Weather forecast / routine weather bulletin Fakailoaaga Fuafua Matagi: The daily statement of expected weather — sea state, temperature, moon phase, rain and wind. It is issued more often when a low-pressure system with strong winds is approaching the island.; NiueanKo e fakailoaaga he aho ke lata mo e tuaga he matagi – tuga e tuaga he moana, tahi, vevela he aho, poke nofoaga he mahina, uha moe tuaga he havili. Ka fai putuputuaga matagi tokolalo ne fai matagi malolo ne haga mai ke he motu, to fakailoa ai foki.
Special weather bulletin Fakailoaaga Fuafua Matagi Tuahā: A bulletin warning of an unusually strong wind event, with winds reaching 62–74 km/h, issued 12–24 hours ahead.; NiueanKo e fakailoaaga ne fakamahao ke he taha matagi malolō ne tuahā ke malolō e havili ke hoko atu ke he 62–74 km/tula, he tau magaaho 12–24 tulā i mua.
Tropical cyclone alert Fakailoaaga Amanaki Afā tokaimaka: A message that a cyclone with winds around 34 knots is expected within the coming days, advising people to stand ready.; NiueanKo e fakailoaaga ko e fai afā tokaimaka ne tata mai moe tau havili malōlō ne nofo he 34 e nota he tau aho i mua, ke nonofo mautali poke nonofo talifaki.
Flood Fakapuke / puna hake tau vailele: Occurs when river channels overflow or low-lying land fills with water — caused by heavy or prolonged rain, or by melting mountain snow running down to lower land.; NiueanKo e lekua tupu kaeke ke puā hake ki luga he tau kaukau he vaitafe e vai; ti pihia foki ka puke lelepa e tau fonua he lahi e vai. Ko e lekua kaeke ke lahi e uha lolo po ke tataka e tau kiona he tau mouga ti tafe hifo ke he tau fonua i lalo he mouga ia.
Meteorology Fuafua Matagi: The scientific study of the atmosphere and the processes within it, and how they affect the earth, the oceans and living things.; NiueanKo e kumikumiaga fakaako ke he pulagi likoliko mo e tau mena ne gahuaghua i ai, mo e tau mena ne lauia ai e lalolagi nai, tau moana puke lahi, mo e tau mena momoui kehekehe he lagi mo e lalolagi.
Temperature Fua vevela: A measure of how hot or cold the air, a liquid or an object is. Water boils at 100°C and freezes below 0°C.; NiueanKo e logonaaga he vevela mo e momoko he ea poke valavai poke ha mena. Ne kua iloa foki ko e puna e valavai ka hoko e vevela ke he 100 tikulī ka e tuli, faliu aisa, ka tō hifo ki lalo he ’nakai’ fai e tikulī, (0°).
Sea spray Fufu Tahi: Fine droplets of seawater lifted into the air by wind off the waves and carried inland, sometimes scorching coastal plants.; NiueanKo e tau vala tahi nininini ne paagi he havili ki luga he pulagi mai he tau peau mo e havili atu ki uta he motu. Ne fa kitia e velagia he tau lau akau he tau feutu moe tau toafa he falu matakavi.
Weather Fuafua Matagi: The day-to-day state of the atmosphere over a place — including wind, temperature, humidity, air pressure, cloud, and rain, snow or hail.; NiueanKo e tau mena ne fuafua aki e tuaga he matagi he aho he tau matakavi kua fafati, he magaaho, poke magahala, he tau motu lalahi; tuga e havili, vevela he ea, mao vai he ea, mamafa he ea, muhu aolū, mo e uha poke kiona poke uha tuli.
Tropical cyclone warning Hatakiaga Afā tokaimaka: A message to stand ready for a cyclone, with winds of 34 knots or more approaching and arriving within 24 hours. Listen to the siren and follow the warnings issued for the island. Colour codes: blue, yellow and red.; NiueanKo e fakailoaaga ke nonofo mautali ke he afā tokaimaka moe tau havili 34 nota ki luga ha e ne fae hau he hala mo e hoko mai mafiti he 24 tulā i mua. Fanogonogo ke he leo taogo ke muitua ke he tau fakailoaaga ke he afa ne fakagutu mai ke he motu. (a. Hatakiaga lanu moana, e. Hatakiaga lanu ago, i. Hatakiaga lanu kula.)
Storm track Hala he matagi: The path along which a cyclone moves.; NiueanKo e hala ne holo fakahaga e putuputuaga matagi afa.
Wind Havili: Moving air whose speed rises and falls over a given period; the direction from which it blows is also noted.; NiueanKo e havili ne fa hokotaki ka fakaevaleti e mafiti mo e fakanono he taha e magaaho fafati. Ka e haia e magaaho ka mafiti lahi poke fakanononono levaleva. Ti fakaevaleti foki e faahi ka aagi mai e matagi.
Climate Kalaemete: The average of weather measured over a long period — usually 30 years — which allows year-to-year and seasonal variation to be assessed.; NiueanKo e matagi laulahu ka fakaevaleti e tau numela ne pota he fuafua e matagi ke he leva e tau magaaho. Fa mahani ke 30 e tau he tau numela ia. Ti makeke agataha ke kitia mo e fuafua e fekehekeheaki he matagi he tau tau kehekehe poke tau magahala kehe.
Swell Kolofuta: Smooth, regular ocean waves generated by distant weather, seen in the rise and fall of the sea surface and in breaking surf, as distinct from local wind waves.; NiueanKo e kolofuta he moana ti kitia ke he lalahi he tau tukuna, ti pihia foki ke he tau pupuo. Ko e tau peau momole mo e fakatino mai he tau tukuna momole. Ko e kolofuta he uluulu ne kitia ke he tau pupuo ka kolomemete mo e tō peau.
Squall Kuolo: A sudden strong wind, around 22 knots, lasting only a short time and sometimes bringing rain and gusts. Often associated with cyclones, where it is stronger and longer-lasting.; NiueanKo e matagi aagi malōlō fakaofo, ke he 22 nota he maō, ka e ku e magaaho. Hau mo e uha falu mogo. Aagi fufuta. Fa mahani foki ke lafi mo e matagi afā tokaimaka ti lahi e malolō moe levaleva e uulo.
Wave crest Lalopeau: The highest point of a breaking wave.; NiueanKo e tapunu tokoluga he peau fafati (Tohi Vagahau Niue). Lata ke fakahigoa ko e tapunu he peau fafati.
La Niña La Nina: A period when the sea cools in the regions near the equator, typically by 3–4°C below normal — the cooler counterpart of El Niño.; NiueanKo e magahala ka fakamomoko ai e puke tahi he tau matakavi tata ke he ekueta. Fuafua ai ko e 3–4 tikuli selasiasi ka to hifo ai.
Radiation Letiesoni: Energy travelling as waves — such as the sun’s short-wavelength ultraviolet shining down, or long-wavelength infra-red radiating up from the earth and atmosphere. X-rays are another familiar form.; NiueanTuga ne kikila hifo he la (uv – short wavelength) poke malolo ne hulu hake he fua lalolagi mo e pulagi likoliko (infra red – long wavelength). Taha he tau mena nai ne mahani a tautolu ko e hulu – X-ray.
Latitude Letituti: Lines showing distance north or south of the equator, running parallel to it. Niue lies at 19° south, with the equator at 0°.; NiueanKo e tau laini ne fakakite e mamao kupulahi mai he tau katofia he fua lalolagi, ne kamata mai he ekueta to hoko atu ke he tau Pole toga mo e Pole tokelau he fua lalolagi. Tu e motu ko Niue he 19 tikulī ke he faahi toga he ekueta, ka fakatatai atu ke he ekueta ne tu he 0 tikulī mamao.
Longitude Logituti: Lines showing distance measured from the North to the South Pole; counting begins at Greenwich, England. Niue lies at 169° west of Greenwich.; NiueanKo e tau laini ne fakakite e mamao kamata mai he Pole tokelau ke hoko ke he Pole toga he fua lalolagi. Kamata e totouaga i Greenwich, i Igilani. Tu e motu ko Niue he 169 tikulī ke he faahi lalo mai i Greenwich.
Storm surge Loka Moana / Uluulu / Loka uta: An abnormal rise of the sea driven by strong storm winds, which floods the coast and drives waves over reefs and cliffs.; NiueanKo e tokoluga he moana puke lahi ka loka e tahi ha ko e tau matagi havili malolo ti lofia atu ke he loka uta mo e pa pihi e tau peau he tau pokoahu po ke tau afati/feutu.
A day — times of day Magaaho he Aho: Niuean terms for the parts of a day:
Aho katoa — today: from sunrise to sunset
Aho he vahā tapu — day of the week: midnight to midnight
Magaaho pogipogi — morning: sunrise to noon (12 hours)
Ko e Pō — night / overnight: sunset to the following morning
Maga pō a Pō — tonight: from sunset to midnight
Mahegihegi / malikalika — late: toward dusk, about two hours before sunset
Pogipogi kī — early: dawn, more than two hours before sunrise
Tuloto afiafi — evening: toward midnight
Drought Magahala tō Lā: A prolonged dry period with no rain. In Niue, one month without rain dries the land and scorches vegetation; three to four months or more lowers the groundwater.; NiueanKo e magahala nai ne mago e fonua he nakai fai uha. I Niue nai, ka ai fai uha ke taha e mahina, kamata e fonua ke mago mo e mukamuka lahi ke vela manunu e vao. Ka ai fai uha ke he 3–4 mahina poke loa atu foki, to tokolalo foki e puke he vai i lalo fonua.
Cloudy Malumalu: When more than 60% of the sky is covered by cloud.; NiueanKa malumalu e fakatino he aho, ko e molea e 60% he lagi ne maluia he tau aolū.
Air pressure Mamafa he Ea: The force created by the weight of the atmosphere pressing down, held in balance by the earth’s gravity.; NiueanKo e malolo ne moua ha ko e fepokaaki he pulagi likoliko mo e malolo he fua lalolagi ke taofi e ha mena toka ai.
Humidity Mao Vai he Ea: The water vapour in the air, produced by daytime heat. As humidity nears 100% it condenses into cloud and heavy rain; when the air is dry, the land and plant leaves wither. Water exists in three states — liquid, ice, and vapour.; NiueanKo e mao vai ne tupu mai he lahi e vevela he aho ti maeke agataha e vala vai ke faliu mao. Ka lahi mahaki e mao vai he ea ke hoko atu ke teitei 100%, ko e fakahiku ni ke fakaaolu ti to e uha he mamafa lahi. Ka nakai fai mao vai e ea, to mago e ea mo e talofe e tau lau akau ka kitia.
Storm’s eye Mata – he – Afā: The calm, windless centre of a cyclone.; NiueanKo e lotouho he kovili matagi afā ne nakai fai matagi mo e milino noa.
Thunderstorm Matagi Pakūlagi mo e hila: A strong wind event accompanied by lightning and thunder.; NiueanKo e matagi havili malolō ne hau mo e kape e hila mo e pakūlagi.
Severe weather Matagi Tū Hagahagakelea: The range of damaging weather events that harm homes, lives, roads or fishing — including drought, hail, cyclones, lightning, flooding, blizzards, thunder, tornadoes and very high seas.; NiueanHaia e tau matagi lekua kehekehe ne fa tō tamaki mo e lauia e tau kaina mo e tau momoui, tau puhala tutulikai po ke takafaga. Ko e tau vahega matagi ia – ko e magahala tō lā, uha tuli tegatega, afā tokaimaka, uhila mo e uhila patuliki, fakapuke ti lofia e tau vailele, afā uha tuli kiona, pakūlagi, tiotio, mo e loka lahi e tahi.
UTC / GMT Matahola he Lalolagi: Coordinated Universal Time / Greenwich Mean Time — the agreed world time standard, dividing the globe into 24 time zones of 15° each, beginning at Greenwich, England.; NiueanCoordinated Universal Time / Greenwich Mean Time. Ko e fuafuaaga kua talia ki ai e tau kautu, ke fakafelau e tau matahola 24 tulā he lalolagi. Kamata i Greenwich, Igilagi. Fakavehā e fua lalolagi ke he 24 e matakavi, taki 15 tikulī he vehā, poke taha e tulā he kehekehe.
Trade wind Matamatagi: The prevailing wind. In the southern hemisphere — and at Niue — it blows from the east toward the west, and from the east toward the north in the northern hemisphere.; NiueanKo e tuaga he matagi agamau poke nofoaga he matamatagi. Ko e taha higoa ne fa iloa ai ko e ’matagi agamau’; ko e matagi ne aagi mai he tila uta ki toga he faahi toga he ekueta ti pihia ni i Niue nai, ka e aagi atu he tila uta ki tokelau he faahi tokelau he ekueta.
Knot Note: A unit of speed used for sea and air travel; one nautical mile per hour equals about 1.15 land miles per hour. A nautical mile equals one minute of latitude.; NiueanKo e fuafuaaga he maila moana mo e maila pulagi. Tatai e taha e maila tahi he tulā mo e 1.15 e maila he fuga kelekele he taha e tulā. Ko e maila moana ko e taha e minute he taha e tikulī letituti he fua lalolagi.
Ozone Osone: A form of oxygen made of three atoms (O₃), unlike the O₂ that living things breathe. Most ozone sits in the upper atmosphere, where it shields the earth from strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation.; NiueanKo e taha vahega kese okesene ne tolu e vala (O₃). Nakai ua tuga e okesene, (O2) ne fafagu he tau manu momoui. Lahi e osone ne nofo he tua ke uaaki (tuaua) he pulagi likoliko. Ko e aoga he osone ke hakahaka e taha vakavaka hulu malolō he lā ne higoa ko e ūvi (UV).
Thunder Pakūlagi: The sound produced when lightning discharges with great energy.; NiueanKo e pakū he leo mai he pulagi ha ko e malolō lahi he uhila ka kape.
Eye wall Pa vikotakai he mata he afā: The ring of cloud surrounding the eye of a cyclone, where the winds, thunder and lightning are strongest.; NiueanKo e katofia i fafo he mata he afā ne to lahi e malolo he havili, tau pakū lagi mo e uhila.
Tsunami Peau Afi / Sunami: A large ocean wave caused by an undersea earthquake, travelling far from its source and rising into a high breaking wave as it reaches shallow water.; NiueanKo e peau he moana pukelahi ne tupu mai he mafuike i lalo he toka he moana. Fa mahani ke tafea leva e peau nai mai he matakavi ne tupu ai e lekua ato mafuta hake mo e fafati tokoluga ka hoko ke he taha vala tahi potake.
pH Pi-heti: A measure of how acidic a liquid is. Neutral water has a pH of 7; below 7 is increasingly acidic, and above 7 increasingly alkaline.; NiueanKo e fuafua nai ke lata mo e kona vivī he valavai poke ha puke ni. Ko e pi-heti he valavai atatā ko e 7. Ka tote hifo e pi-heti he 7 ko e unu ki mua e vivī he puke ia. Ka tokoluga hake e pi-heti he 7, to kamata ke kona maai.
Atmosphere Pulagi likoliko: The envelope of gases surrounding the earth — including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, ozone and water vapour, along with cloud. It is roughly 200 km thick and arranged in layers: the troposphere (nearest, where we live), the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere / ionosphere.; NiueanKo e pulagi ne takai he tau malolo he tau kese kehekehe. Falu vahega kese ia ko e naetolosene, okesene, akone, heliamu, kapone taeokosate, osone mo e mao vai. Ko e teitei hoko e matolu he pulagi likoliko katoa nai ke he 200 km. Ko e tuataha ne tata lahi ke he fua lalolagi ne nonofo ai a tautolu, ne fakahigoa ko e toloposefia (troposphere); ko e tua ke uaaki ko e setolosefia (stratosphere); ko e tua ke toluaki ko e mesosefia (mesosphere); ko e tua ke fāaki ko e femosefia (thermosphere/ionosphere).
Mean sea level Puke fakaevaleti he moana: The average height of the sea surface, measured over a long period from low and high tides.; NiueanKo e fakaevaleti he tokoluga he puke he moana ka moua he tau fuafuaaga mai he tau tahi maha mo e tahi loka, he vahā loa.
Tropical disturbance Putuputuaga Matagi fai Malolō: The earliest sign of a developing storm, seen as a swirl in the cloud pattern.; NiueanKo e tamataaga he matagi malōlō kitia ai ke he maviloviloaga he tau aolu matagi.
Tropical (or sub-tropical) depression Putuputuaga Matagi Malolō: A developing cyclone, with a swirling cloud mass and winds below 63 km/h. It is given a number with the suffix “F” to show it is under Fiji’s watch area.; NiueanKo e tamataaga he matagi afā, fuafua ai ke he mavilovilo he putuputuaga matagi kelea mo e mafiti he havili ne nofo i lalo hifo he 63 km he tulā. Ko e fakailoaaga ne fa tuku e numela mui ai e matatohi F ke iloa ko e matakavi ne toka hifo ke he levekiaga ha Fiti (Fiji) e fekau ia.
Trough Putuputuaga Matagi tokolalo: An elongated band of low pressure lying across the sky.; NiueanKo e putuputu aolū loa he tau Matagi Tokolalo ne tu fakalava he pulagi.
Low pressure Putuputuaga Matagi Tokolalo: A system in which air rotates clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Cyclones have very low pressure, producing strong winds, heavy cloud and rain.; NiueanKo e putuputuaga matagi nai ne mahani ke kovili e ea hala matau he faahi toga he ekueta. Ko e tau afa tokaimaka ne tokolalo lahi e maō he ea ti tupu mai ai e tau havili malolo, muhu aolū uha mo e uha foki.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) Putuputuaga Matagi tokolalo he Ekueta: The zone where the northern and southern trade winds meet near the equator, producing a long band of thunderstorms.; NiueanKo e matakavi ne fio mo e lafilafi e tau matagi mai he matagi agamau he faahi tokelau he ekueta mo e matagi agamau mai he faahi toga he ekueta; ti tupu ai e aolū loa he tau pakūlagi tata ke he ekueta.
Ridge Putuputuaga Matagi tokoluga: An elongated band of high pressure lying across the sky.; NiueanKo e aolū loa he putuputuaga matagi tokoluga ka e tu fakalava he pulagi.
High pressure Putuputuaga Matagi Tokoluga: A system rotating anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere (clockwise in the north). Niue lies in the southern hemisphere. Pressure is high, winds are light and the weather is calm.; NiueanKo e Putuputuaga Matagi tokoluga ne mavilovilo po ke mavikoviko ke he faahi hema he Faahi toga he ekueta, ka e mavilovilo/mavikoviko ke he faahi matau he faahi tokelau he ekueta. Tu a Niue ke he faahi toga he ekueta. Tokoluga e maō he ea. Milino e matagi ne nofo ai.
Rip current Tafe Pokoahu / Tafe Galupeau: A current flowing back out to sea through a gap in the reef. When large waves break onshore, the returning water forms a strong seaward current — dangerous for swimmers and small boats trying to reach shore.; NiueanKo e tafe liumai he pokoahu ki moana. Ka lalahi e tau peau ne fafati ki uta mo e fe heke aki he lafi mo e matagi to maō e tafe ka liu ki moana. Tafe hagahaga kelea a nai ka moua e tau tagata kakau poke vaka poke poti ka lali ke hiki mai ki uta.
Rainbow Tagaloa: A coloured arc in the sky, seen during rain or drizzle when sunlight splits into its colours. It has seven colours, with red on the outside and violet on the inside.; NiueanKo e fakakiteaga maloku lanu kehekehe he pulagi. Kitia ai falu a mogo ka fai uha po ke tōhau he pulagi kua maeke ai ke atagia e tau lanu kehekehe. Iloa ko e fitu e lanu kehekehe he tagaloa. Ko e lanu kula i fafo he maloku mo e lanu moana i loto he kala he maloku.
Degree Celsius Tikulī Selasiasi: The scale used to measure temperature, used worldwide except in America. Water freezes below 0°C and boils at 100°C.; NiueanKo e papahi ne fuafua e vevela mo e momoko he ha mena. Muitua ki ai e lalolagi katoa ka e nakai hu ai a Amelika. Faliu aisa e valavai ka to hifo e fuafua momoko i lalo hifo he ’numela nakai’, ka e 100 tikulī selasiasi e fuafua vevela ka puna ai e vala vai.
Degree Fahrenheit Tikulī Falenehati: The temperature scale used in America. Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.; NiueanKo e papahi ne fuafua aki e vevela mo e momoko he motu ko Amelika. Tuli e vala vai he 32 tikulī falenehati ka e puna he 212 tikulī falenehati.
Waterspout Tiotio Vai: A whirlwind that descends onto the sea or other body of water.; NiueanKo e tiotio ne to ki moana poke i luga he fuga vai.
Tornado Tiotio tōkaimaka: A violently rotating column of air extending from a storm cloud to the ground, typically 10–100 m wide, lasting minutes, with a loud roar. Three classes by wind speed: weak up to 176 km/h (110 mph), strong up to 328 km/h (205 mph), and violent up to 500 km/h (320 mph).; NiueanKamata e tiotio he aolū mavilovilo he pulagi ti ka hoko e mavilovilo ke he fuga kelekele ko e tiotio a ia. Ko e kupulahi he tiotio ia ko e molea e 10–100mita ti hoko ke he fiha e tulā he leva e vilovilo, ti lahi foki e gū. Tolu e veveheaga he tau tiotio; tokolalo ke 176 km/tulā (110 maila he tulā), malōlō ke he 328 km/tulā (205 maila he tulā), mo e tokoluga, ko e tiotio tokaimaka, ke he 500 km/tulā (320 maila he tulā).
Marine area Tofia: The respectful collective name for the sea. Its parts include:
Moana (ocean) — the part of the sea beyond the breaking waves, out to the horizon
Pokoahu (cliff base) — the area at the foot of the cliff, including the reef edge
Tofola (reef flat) — the area from the breaking waves to the cliff base
Uluulu (reef) — the area where the waves break; NiueanKo e higoa lilifu ke lata mo e tahi.
Wave trough Tukuna tokolalo: The lowest point between waves in the surf.; NiueanKo e magaaho ne tokolalo lahi e tau tukuna ti pihia ke he tau peau he fafatiaga peau.
Fog Tō hau: Water vapour condensing near the ground into tiny droplets, reducing visibility to less than a kilometre.; NiueanKo e mao vai ne faliu valavai tata ke he kelekele ti kitia agataha e aolu he tau mata vai ikiiki. Nakai maeke ke kitia taha kilomita i mua he pouli e.
Above normal Tokoluga atu: Recorded values higher than the long-term average — for example, higher-than-usual rainfall.; NiueanHaia e tau totouaga numela ku a fakaevaleti ti kitia ko e fai lahi atu e totouaaga ia ka kitekite ke he tau totouaga fa mahani. Ko e totouaga he uha ne fa kitia pihia.
Below normal Tokolalo hifo: Recorded values lower than the long-term average — whether for rainfall or for daily temperature.; NiueanKo e totouaga numela fa moua ai ka fakaevaleti e tau numela moua ti kitia kua tokolalo e numela ka fakatatai atu ke he tau numela fa mahani. Ko e uha fa moua e totouaga ia ti pihia ni ke he vevela po ke momoko he tau aho.
Drizzle Uha Ganagana: Very fine rain that falls gently and is hard to see, measuring about 0.2–0.5 mm.; NiueanKo e uha mata ikiiki nai ne tō fakaeneene ti fa uka ke kitia e hala. Ko e fuafua ko e 0.2–0.5 e mm.
Showers Uha Tō Magaaho: Brief rain lasting around half an hour, often starting suddenly and clearing quickly.; NiueanKo e uha to magaaho ka e ku, fakalata ke he hafa tulā. Fa mahani ke kamata fakaofo ti mao mafiti foki.
Lightning Uhila: The bright flash from electrical charges within storm clouds, sometimes followed by thunder.; NiueanKo e hila ne kape, maama tekateka, ha ko e tau paoa kehekehe ne gahuahua i loto he aolū. Falu mogo, mui mai e pakū he lagi.
Ambient temperature Vevela he mogo: The temperature of the surrounding place.; NiueanKo e vevela he matakavi ne haha i ai.

Aerosols Efu Ahua: Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air — such as sea salt from spray, and dust from rock or soil lifted by the wind. Many come from human activity (air pollution). They can block some of the sun’s energy and influence cloud formation.; NiueanKo e tau tama lemulemu mena inanoa ne utafano he matagi he pulagi. Tuga e tau masima ne moua mai he tau fufu tahi, efu mai he tau se maka poke kelekele ne mamā lahi ti havili hake he matagi ke he pulagi. Ko e tau valavala mena ne tupu mai ha ko e tau gahua he tau tagata ne fa iloa ai ko e takiva pulagi.
Greenhouse gas Kese Faka mafana Lalolagi: Gases that trap the earth’s heat and warm the planet. Some occur naturally (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane); others are made by industry (PFCs, HFCs, sulphur hexafluoride). Six gases are the focus of international agreements.; NiueanKo e tau vahega kese he lalolagi ne maeke ke taofi e velagia he fua lalolagi ti fakamafana e lalolagi. Ko e tau kese nofo mau mo e tau tagata ko e CO₂, nitrous oxide, mo e mifeni. Ko e tau kese ne moua mai he tau gahua fakatagata ko e PFC, HFC mo e sulphur hexafluoride.
Ocean acidification Fakakona Vivī he Moana: The increasing acidity of the ocean as it absorbs more carbon dioxide. It harms marine life — shellfish, corals and other creatures that build shells or skeletons can no longer form them properly.; NiueanKo e kona vivi he moana kua lata ni mo e tau momoui he tau manu mo e tau ika ne nonofo ai. Ka lahi e CO₂ ne mamiti ke he moana to holo hake e kona vivi he puke tahi, ti nakai maeke falu manu tahi ke tupu ha kua kamata ke mamate e tau feo ne falanaki a lautolu ki ai – tuga e tau fua alili, tau ugako, moe tau manu totolo he tahi.
Tropical reef ecosystem Kaina he tau manu he tau Ulululu: The web of interdependent sea creatures that make the reef their home.; NiueanKo e moui fefalanakiaki he tau manu tahi ne eke e uluulu mo kaina ha lautolu.
Fossil fuel Makauho Malolo Hila: Energy obtained from carbon-rich deposits such as coal, lignite, crude oil and natural gas.; NiueanKo e tau malolō hila ne moua mai he tau makauho ne pota ai e tau kapone, tuga e kolu, kolu pala, oela puke mo e oela kese.
Mitigate Fakahagahamitaki: Putting measures in place to reduce the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere, and strengthening the systems that absorb them.; NiueanKo e fakagahua he tau fakatokatokaaga ke tukutukuhifo e fakahola he tau kese kona ke he pulagi, mo e fakamalolō e tau matagahua lalahi ke taofi e tau kese kona ua fakahola ke he pulagi likoliko.
Desertification Fakataluē Fonua: The United Nations term for land so degraded it can no longer be used. The soil loses its fertility for trees, crops and grazing — caused by quick-profit land use, burning, clearing for housing, erosion from heavy rain and flooding, or severe drought and wind erosion.; NiueanNe fakakakano he Kautu Kau Fakalataha e kupu nai ke lata mo e tau fonua ne kua taluē lahi ti kua temotemoai e tau fakaaogaaga. Kua galo kehe e talumelie he kelekele ke moui e tau akau lalahi, tau akau kai, tau motie ke lata mo e tau manu totolo, mo e ha akau kua falanaki ki ai e tau manu kehekehe mo e tau tagata.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) Kāpone Taeokosate: One of the earth’s greenhouse gases, produced by burning fossil fuels, decomposing waste, land use and manufacturing. Released largely by human activity, it is ranked number one among the gases that warm the planet.; NiueanKo e taha ni a nai he tau kese he lalolagi nai. Moua mai foki ka tugi e tau makauho hila mo e popo e tau otaota, po ke fakaaoga e tau fonua po ke falu gahua foki ne talaga koloa. Ko e kese nai ne kua faka numela tū taha (1) ke he papahi he tau kese ne fa e fakamafana e lalolagi.
Renewable energy Malolō Hila ne Moua mai he Tufugatia: Energy from sources that do not run out — solar, hydro, wind, tidal and wave power, geothermal heat, and biomass (which contains no fossil carbon).; NiueanKo e malolō hila nai ne moua mai he laā (solar energy), tau vailele fakapuke pauaki (hydro power), moua mai he havili he matagi (wind), moua mai he malolō he tau peau (tide and waves), moua mai he tau mao vela ne puna mai i lalo fonua (geo thermal heat), mo e falu mena foki tuga e tau otaota popo (bio mass).
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) Vahega Kese Fakamafana e Lalolagi: Long-lived gases from human activity, present in the atmosphere, that absorb and re-emit the earth’s radiation and gradually warm the planet. They include water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), CFCs, HCFCs, ozone (O₃), HFCs, PFCs and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆).; NiueanKo e tau kese nai ne nofo mau mo e moua he tau gahuahua he tau tagata, ti ha ha he pulagi likoliko. Ko e tau vahega kese ia hanai: Mao vai (water vapour), kapone taeokosate (CO₂), mifeni (CH₄), naitolosene okosate (N₂O), kololo fuluolo kapone (CFCs), haitolo kololofuluolo kapone (HCFCs), osone (O₃), haitolo fuluolo kapone (HFCs), pafuluolo kapone (PFCs) mo e taio hekesafuluolate (SF₆).
HCFCs Haitolo Kololofuluolo Kapone: Gases that damage the ozone layer less than CFCs, and have been used as a temporary replacement for them.; NiueanTalahau kua tote hifo e malolō he vahega kese nai ke moumou fakatekiteki e kili aolagi osone he pulagi likoliko, ka fakatatai atu ke he falu. Ti kua fakaaoga mo huhui fakakū e vahega kese kolo fuluolo kapone.
HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) Haitolo fuluolo kapone: Gases that do little damage to the ozone layer, but are among the most potent at warming the planet.; NiueanKua fakaaoga foki e vahega kese nai he nakai malolō lahi ke moumou e kili aolagi osone. Ka e ko e taha a nai he tau kese ne malolō lahi ke fakamafana e lalolagi.
Methane (CH₄) Mifeni: A gas about 23 times more powerful at warming the planet than carbon dioxide. It comes from decomposing rubbish in landfills, animal digestion and manure, gas works, and burning fossil fuels such as coal.; NiueanKo e kese nai ne kua iloa ai ko e fakalahi 23 e malolō ke fakamafana e lalolagi ka fakatatai atu ke he numela taha he kapone taeokosate. Tupu e kese nai mai he tau otaota popo he tau luo veve, fakamatagi he tau manu momoui, mai he tau pilo popo he tau manu, tauteaga he tau kese kaitunu mo e penisini, taviliaga he tau makauho hila tuga e kolu (coal).
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Naetolosene Okosate: A gas about 296 times more powerful at warming the planet than carbon dioxide. It comes from soils and the treatment of animal and human waste, fossil fuels and various manufacturing, and from emissions seen rising in constantly wet forests.; NiueanKo e kese nai ne kua iloa ko e fakalahi 296 e malolō ke fakamafana e lalolagi ka fakatatai atu ke he numela taha he kapone taeokosate. Tupu e kese nai mai he tau gahua he fonua – kelekele mo e tauteaga he tau pilo manu, ti pihia foki mai he tauteaga he tau pilo tagata, tau ahua mai he tau makauho hila mo e tau gahua talaga koloa kehekehe.
Ozone-depleting substances Kese ne moumou e Aolagi Osone: Human-made gases including halons, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and methyl bromide, which significantly damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere.; NiueanKo e tau vahega kese ne talaga he tau tagata ne lalafi ke he tau kese i luga – polomofuluolo kapone (halons), mifala kololofomu (methyl chloroform), kapone tetala kololate (CCl₄), mo e mefolo polomate (methyl bromide). Kua kitia ko e tau vahega kese ia ne moumou lahi e kili aolagi osone he tua ke uaaki he pulagi likoliko, ko e setolosefia.
Photosynthesis Taviliaga Kai he Akau: The process by which plant leaves use carbon dioxide from the air or water for growth, releasing oxygen back into the air. It draws down a large amount of the CO₂ in the air.; NiueanKo e puhala ne taviliaki he tau lau akau e kapone taeokosate mai he ea po ke vai ke lata mo e tupuaga he akau ka e fakahola e kese okesene ke he ea. Uta ni e lahi he gahua ke he matolu he CO₂ he ea.
Gravity Kalevitī: The earth’s force that holds all heavy objects to it so they cannot float away; anything heavy thrown upward simply falls back down.; NiueanKo e malolō he fua lalolagi ke taofi e tau mena mamafa oti ki ai, ti nakai maeke ke felele fano. Ko e mena ia ka liti hake ha mena mamafa ke he pulagi, ko e liu ni tō hifo ki lalo.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Matakau Fuafua Matagi he Lalolagi: A United Nations body dedicated to all aspects of the world’s weather — connecting the national meteorological offices of every country and overseeing weather-related research.; NiueanKo e taha a nai he tau matakau he tau Kautu Kau Fakalataha he lalolagi ne fakamahao ni e gahua ke he tau fafaahi oti he matagi he lalolagi – ke matutaki mo e tau Ofia fuafua matagi oti he tau motu, mo e kitekite tumau ke he tau fekau kumikumi kua lago ki luga he tau gahua.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Maveheaga Fakagahua ke lata mo e Hikihikiaga he Matagi: The convention setting out ways for all nations to slow climate change, recognising the world’s climate as a shared resource harmed by large-scale emissions. 189 countries have agreed to it; it entered into force on 21 March 1994. Niue acceded to it in 1997.; NiueanNe fakatoka he Maveheaga nai e falu puhala ke muitua e tau motu oti he lalolagi ke fakatuai e tau mena tutupu ha ko e hikihikiaga he matagi. Toko 189 e motu he lalolagi ne kua talia e maveheaga nai. Ne fakagahua e Maveheaga nai he lalolagi he aho 21 Mati, 1994. Ne hū atu mo e matutaki foki a Niue ke he Maveheaga nai he tau 1997.
Kyoto Protocol Maveheaga ne taute i Kyoto: An agreement under the UNFCCC, adopted at the third Conference of the Parties in Kyoto in 1997. Developed nations (Annex B) agreed to cut total emissions to 5% below 1990 levels, to be achieved over 2008–2012.; NiueanKo e Maveheaga nai ne taute i lalo hifo he malolo he Maveheaga Lahi he tau Kautu Kaufakalataha ha ko e hikihikiaga he Matagi. Ne moua e taliaaga he Fonoaga ke lagatolu aki he tau Kautu tutaki, i Kyoto he tau 1997. Ne talia he tau motu lalahi he lalolagi (Annex B) ke liuaki hifo e katoatoa he tau kese kona ke he 5% he numela ne fakahola he 1990. Kua talia ke taute e gahua nai he tau tau 2008–2012.
Montreal Protocol Maveheaga ne Taute Fakamua i Montreal: Agreed in Montreal, Canada in 1987 (with later amendments in London 1990, Copenhagen 1992, Vienna 1995, Montreal 1997 and Beijing 1999). It controls the use and production of substances that deplete the ozone layer.; NiueanNe talia e Maveheaga nai i Montreal, he motu ko Kanata he tau 1987, ti kua talia foki e tau Maveheaga huhui i Lonitoni he tau 1990, i Copenhagen he tau 1992, Vienna he tau 1995, liu foki ki Montreal he tau 1997, mo e huhui fakahiku i Beijin he tau 1999. Ko e Maveheaga nai ne taute ke lata mo e tau vaikona kehekehe ne moumou fakatekiteki e tua uufi aolagi osone he fua lalolagi.

Anemometer Anenomita: An instrument for measuring wind speed.; NiueanKo e lakau ne maeke ke fuafua e malolō he mafiti he havili.
Barometer Palomita: An instrument for measuring air pressure.; NiueanKo e lakau ne maeke ke fuafua e mamafa he ea.
Wind vane Fuafua Havili: An instrument that shows the direction the wind is coming from.; NiueanKo e lakau ne maeke ke fuafua e tupumaiaga he matagi.
Thermometer Femomita / Fuafua Vevela: An instrument for measuring temperature — the heat or cold of something.; NiueanKo e lakau ne maeke ke fuafua e vevela poke momoko he ha mena.
Tide gauge Lakau Fuafua he Pukelahi he Tahi: An instrument placed on a cliff or in deep water to record the sea level against a fixed land benchmark, showing whether the average is rising or falling.; NiueanKo e lakau nai ne fa mahani ke tuku he taha pokoahu, poke i moana puke lahi, ke hokotaki e puke lahi he tahi ka fakatatai atu ke he tapa kelekele momō; maeke ai mogoia ke kitia mo e iloa e hifo poke hake ka fakaevaleti e tau numela moua.
Psychrometer Saikomita: An instrument for measuring atmospheric humidity, using two thermometers — one ordinary (dry bulb) and one covered with a wet cloth (wet bulb).; NiueanKo e lakau ne maeke ke fuafua e mao vai he pulagi. Ua e femomita poke fua vevela ne fakaaoga. Taha ko e fua vevela hio fa mahani, ka e ko e femomita ke uaaki, kua uufi aki e kalaie meā ne kua tatao fakamua i loto he mao vai kua liu puke.
Hygrometer Hakolomita: An instrument or meter for measuring the humidity in the air.; NiueanKo e lakau poke mita ne maeke ke fua e mao vai i loto he ea. Ko e fuafuaaga nai ne falanaki foki ke he tau fuafuaaga he vevela he ea, poke taha fakakiteaga ka fai kehe ha mena ka hu ai e mao vai.
Rain gauge Fua Uha: An instrument for measuring the amount of rainfall over a period.; NiueanKo e lakau ne maeke ke fua e vala uha he magaaho.
Wind sock Tosini Fuafua Matagi: A device that shows the wind direction, often seen at airfields — a cone hung on a pole that swings to reveal where the wind is blowing from.; NiueanKo e puhala ne fakakite e faaahi ne havili ki ai e matagi. Fa mahani ke kitia he tau male vakalele. Tautau he pou e tosini ia ne fakatino tuga e fua vili ti havili fano he pou ke kitia e fanoaga poke hauaga he matagi.

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