How cold is Fiji Winter?

Why is it not cold in Fiji; NewZealand; Austrailia etc seeing that is right above the south pole?

• I have been to Fiji during its "dead winter time" and of course it was not cold by any means. The temperture during the day was in the mid to upper 80's and at night maybe the low 70s. This just always amazed me since I have been there. I just want to know why it isn't cold there and it is so close to the south pole.

• Answer:

  Fiji comes under tropical countries.Its approximate latitude is about 17 degree south and hence within the tropic of capricon.It is not near south pole as you have said.So it is not cold as you expect,even in winter.Australia lies within 40 degree south latitude and hence comes under temperate zone only and is not near the south pole.New Zealand lies between 35 and 46 degrees south latitudes.It also comes under temperate zone.So all the above do not lie within the Antarctic circle(66.5 south latitude) and hence do not experience severe winter.However the south most tip of New Zealand may be very cold during winter. Moreover as Fiji and New Zealand are small islands and surrounded by water,the temperature variation between summer and winter may not be that much which is experienced by inland countries lying on the same latitudes in the northern hemisphere.