Hoodies sell out in Tonga as El Niño brings wintry chill

Better known for its warm weather and beaches, the archipelago in the south Pacific ocean usually sees winter temperatures in the range of 18C to 21C. More cool weather is forecast for August with TMS predicting temperatures could sink to 10C on some parts of the island next week. 

 The current cold snap is linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon and comes amid changing climate patterns, as parts of the northern hemisphere swelter through extreme heatwaves. 

 TMS issued an El Niño alert in July which told Tongans to prepare for cooler nights, less rainfall and more cyclones over the next months. 

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