that precipitations differ greatly within the island. The 3,000
millimetres (120 in) of rainfall recorded in Galarino are three times the
average of the west coast. There are also dry periods, because of the effects
of El Niño. Between December and April, tropical depressions and cyclones can
cause winds to exceed a speed of 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) with gusts of
250 kilometres per hour (160 mph) and very abundant rainfall. The last cyclone
affecting New Caledonia was Cyclone Vania (2011), in January 2011
