Geography

Kosrae covers an area of 110 km² (42 square miles) and is roughly triangular in shape. It is the second largest island and the most easterly state of the Federated States of Micronesia. It is located at approximately 5º N Latitude and 163º E Longitude. This is almost 5000 km (3000 Miles) southwest of Hawai'i, and 14 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time.

Kosrae has three distinct geographic features - mountains, jungle, and mangrove forests - ringed by miles of white sandy beaches. Mountains are steep and rugged, and are covered by dense tropical vegetation. Several mountain peaks rise over 2000 feet above sea level, and account for about 70% of the land area. In the mountains you can experience cascading waterfalls, cool rivers, and seldom visited hiking trails.

Climate

The weather in Kosrae is warm and humid throughout the year. The mean annual temperature is about 25º C (80º F). The temperature rarely exceeds 32º C (90º F) .

Kosrae is characterised by distinct seasons: a dry season between May and October, and a rainy season from November to April. You should be prepared for rain showers everyday. The annual rainfall averages 7500 mm (300 inches) in the mountains, and 5000 mm (200 inches) on the coast.

Easterly trade winds, usually between 10 and 15 knots are dominant between November and June. Tropical squalls can dump a considerable amount of rain in a short period of time, but usually do not last long. Typhoons usually form to the west between Pohnpei and Chuuk and move west toward the Philippine Sea and Asia.