Rainfall recorded higher than normal average is likely for many parts of Solomon Islands.

Climate Office of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said this is normal as the country faces its wet season period.

Average rainfall totals (in mm) for December 2007 to February 2008 are: Honiara 730, Henderson Airport 690, Auki 1040, Kirakira 940, Lata 1173, Munda 1075, Taro 772.

Rainfall is expected to be greater than the normal average over the next 3 months.

The averages are based on records that go back over 40 years in some cases.

Predictions based on a statistical forecasting system, Seasonal Climate Outlook Pacific in Island Countries (SCOPIC) indicates the development of El Nino - a pattern of seas surface temperatures, normally associated with increased rainfall over the Solomon Islands area.

This is inspite of the longer term rainfall trend for the Solomon Islands, which has been declining since the late 1960s.

Rainfall records in the Solomon Islands go back as far as 1897.