Climate of Jamaica

One of greatest charms of Jamaica is its pleasant tropical maritime climate. The temperature is higher during the afternoons. The island is blessed with northeasterly trade winds that keep you from feeling high heat at any time of year. Therefore, Jamaica enjoys a climate perfect to bask in the golden sun at the beaches to get a golden suntan.

The temperature near the coastal regions hovers around 80F to 86F almost all through the year. The temperature is lower at the higher altitude but remains tolerably pleasant. The temperature at the Blue Mountains averages around 65F. The warm trade winds known as “doctor breeze” keep the shores cool during the daytime. The nocturnal offshore breeze locally known as ‘the undertaker’ is little less evident. Cool ‘northers’ at times blow from December to March, when cold fronts that bring freezing conditions to Florida can affect Jamaica.

Rainfall varies with the season in Jamaica. Overall, the island gets an average of 78 inches of rainfall a year. The Blue Mountains, source of some of the world’s best coffee, and parts of John Crow gets the maximum share of rainfall. The south coast experiences very little rain and is semi-barren at places. Usually the rain showers along the coast are brief and heavy coming mainly in mid-afternoon. The maximum rain falls between May and October and can extend up to November and December.

Although Jamaica lies in the Caribbean “hurricane belt”, relatively few hurricanes touch it. Officially, the hurricane season lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November with the peak period being between August and September. Hurricanes are revolving storms with wind speeds of 75 mph or greater. These counterclockwise storms begin as waves off the west coast of Africa and work their way across the Atlantic, some eventually gaining strength and becoming tropical depressions (under 40 mph) or tropical storms (40-74 mph). Excellent warning systems keep islands posted on the possibility of oncoming storms.

The best season to visit Jamaica is between mid-December and mid-April. Apart from the inviting weather, series of festivals take place during this time to keep tourist entertained. Carnival, one of the Caribbean's best-known festivals, takes place the week following Easter. Junkanoo is Jamaica's traditional Christmas celebration. Besides, several yacht races take place in the beginning of the year.