Annually, the hurricane season lasts from june to november. In late fall and early winter, the caribbean hurricane season tapers off, leaving behind sunny skies and average temps somewhere between 75 and 85 degrees. The only regions that typically escape the path of hurricanes are those islands located in the far southern parts of the caribbean. Director of the met service, evan thompson, said some 11 to 17 tropical systems are expected for the season. Overall, the 2019 hurricane season had slightly more storm activity than expected, with more named tropical storms than normal, but a nearaverage number of hurricanes.
This is the sdt prediction of the 2019 atlantic hurricane season. Which month has the best weather conditions in jamaica. Bridgetown, barbados cmc a few weeks before the official start of the 2020 atlantic hurricane season, forecasters at the usbased. Satellite weather forecasts generally give adequate warning so that precautions can be taken. Preparing for hurricane season in cancun and riviera maya hurricanes are phenomena that can be foreseen and prepared for. When does hurricane season start in jamaica answers. The jamaican hurricane season officially starts on the 1st of june through to the 30th november with peak months being august to october. Few hurricanes hit an island like jamaica directly. May 23, 2019 officially, the atlantic hurricane season starts on june 1 and runs until nov.
Our writer explains the facts including details of rainfall and tropical storms. History of hurricanes and floods in jamaica between the beginning of the hurricane season in until the end of the season in june november, an average of ten 10 tropical storms are formed, some of which develop into hurricanes. Some doozies to hit jamaica late august and early september were gilbert and ivan. Jamaica is a ver small island so the chances of a direct hit are marginal. Names not retired will be used again the 2025 atlantic hurricane season. Feb 25, 2020 the official start of the hurricane season is june 1. Some of the storms experienced by jamaica have formed.
The number of storms isnt always a good indicator of the severity of hurricane season. Like most caribbean islands, jamaica has a hurricane season that officially starts on june 1st and lasts through november. The best time to visit jamaica is during the start of winter, november to middecember, with temperatures. However, tropical cyclogenesis is possible at any time of the year, as shown by subtropical storm nana in december. Apr 14, 2020 the official caribbean hurricane season runs from june 1 through nov. The 2018 atlantic hurricane season was the 4th most active season of the 2010s decade, and perhaps sixth most active overall, spawning 17 depressions, 15 storms, 10 hurricanes and a near record 6 major. The period is usually a rainy one even if a hurricane does not develop.
Frequent showers are accompanied by probability of hurricanes. According to cruise critic, hurricane peak season in the caribbean varies by geography. Although there is no guarantee that a tropical storm or hurricane will occur during. Us forecasters are predicting an unusually active season with 11 to 17 big storms and as many as nine hurricanes. Mar 12, 2008 the hurricane season in the caribbean is june through the end of october. I will be spending a week in ocho rios, runaway bay, sept 02 sept 11th. Best time to visit jamaica 2020 hurricane season 101 holidays. The atlantic hurricane season in 2018 became the third in a consecutive series of damaging and higher than average seasons. We have been watching the weather network, and its coverage of the 3 hurricanes and one tropical storm surrounding jamaica. The atlantic basin includes the entire atlantic ocean, caribbean sea, and gulf of mexico.
During this time we experience rainfall with the most coming between september and october and petering off in november. For the past 30 years, we have not experienced more than five dangerous hurricanes during the jamaica hurricane season. If you are thinking of a cruise in the august september time frame you will be in the hurricane high season for florida. The best time to visit jamaica is during the start of winter, november to middecember, with temperatures averaging 80f. But dont be fooled into believing youll be safe elsewhere in the caribbeans. Out of the atlantic hurricane season, away from the rainy season, january weather in jamaica enjoys much cooler temperatures compared to the other months, while still being very warm indeed. The hurricane season the curse of jamaican weather, the hurricane season, officially lasts from june 1 to november 30 but theres no need for panic.
Hurricane season in the atlantic ocean and that includes the caribbean, the gulf of mexico and destinations in the bahamas and florida runs from june 1 to nov. Thats when the islands already beautiful weather ranging from mid70s to the high 80s all yearround is the most pleasant and the. As an example, last year it started to snow here in november which was early and unusual and not welcomed at all. But some doozies have also hit in november like sandy and nicole. If youre heading to jamaica during the hurricane season, you can call your local branch of the national weather service listed in your phone directory under the. The only storms most people need to worry about are those that actually make landfall, which can have little correlation with the total number of storms in any given season. Hurricane season weather update ocho rios forum tripadvisor.
Met service forecasts abovenormal hurricane season jamaica. In fact, the hurricane season can be one of the best times to visit jamaica. Best time to visit jamaica 2020 hurricane season 101. If you do book a cruise during that time frame be sure to buy travel insurance. Januaryjanuary is probably the coldest month to visit jamaica, and it is also one of the busiest months also. It may be the start of the low season in jamaica however there are plenty of. The peak is about the 10th of sept but they are common for the region, not necessarily jamaica in aug and oct. This is the norm, but in 1938, the atlantic hurricane season started as early as january 3. Although there is no guarantee that a tropical storm or hurricane will occur during this time, it is typically the time when jamaica experiences the highest level of rainfall particularly in the month of may and octobernovember. Like most caribbean islands, jamaica has a hurricane season that runs from june through november every year. The blue mountains are best visited during the summer, lasting from june to september, when the regions unmade roads do not suffer from.
September was a considerably more active month than predicted, as was october, while august saw very little storm activity. While rare, hurricanes before june and after november do take place. Hurricane season in jamaica what you must know before you go. Today marks the start of the 2017 atlantic hurricane season. When is the hurricane season and when is the best time to visit. Aug 09, 2019 hurricane season in the atlantic ocean and that includes the caribbean, the gulf of mexico and destinations in the bahamas and florida runs from june 1 to nov. Antilles remains ambiguous due to a lack of observations over the open atlantic. Jamaica tends not to be so badly affected by tropical storms as other, more northerly caribbean islands. April is a bit warmer with average daytime temperature about 26 c 79 f also this the last dry month in jamaica. The months that historically are most likely to experience tropical cyclones storms or hurricanes are september and october. Keep in mind that hurricane season technically starts on june 1. The main hospital in st thomas sustained heavy damage, and patients were being evacuated to puerto rico and elsewhere. The hurricane season officially runs from 1 june to 30 november, with august and september its peak months.
And this is so generally, even with the changing weather patterns. The atlantic hurricane season runs from june 1 to november 30, with the peak period from early august through the end of october. Hurricane season starts june 1 and ends about dec 1. The list of names for the 2019 season was the same as the 20 season, with the exception of imelda, which replaced ingrid. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclones form in the atlantic basin and. The season officially began on june 1, 2020, and ended on november 30, 2020.
The official date of hurricane season in jamaica is june 1 november 30. The office of disaster preparedness and emergency management odpem advises. Rainfall in jamaica is highest between june and november, typically peaking during october and november. They bring slight drop of temperatures on one hand but on the other finally drive away rain clouds.
For example, 2010 was an extremely busy season, with 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes. Then it picks back up in august and rockets up to a peak of seven inches in october. The atlantic hurricane season is less than a month away. The official hurricane season starts on june 1 and continues till november 30 annually. Things start to heat up toward summer, when temperatures, humidity and rainfall increase, though long periods of rain remain rare during the summer months. January and february are coldest months in jamaica. Two to four hurricanes could be major, with wind speeds of 111 miles per hour or higher and rated as category 3, 4 or 5 on the saffirsimpson scale of hurricane intensity. Of course to the extent of applicability of term cold to jamaica. The best time to visit jamaica is november to middecember. Jamaica, along with several other caribbean islands and mainland territories, falls into what is commonly understood to be the atlantic hurricane belt, meaning that these countries often experience the effects of storm systems during the hurricane season.
The meteorological service of jamaica met service says jamaicans must prepare for abovenormal activity for the 2017 hurricane season, which runs from june 1 november 30. Buildings including fire and police stations collapsed. June averages only one named storm every other year, and. Average rainfall during the hurricane season shows a modest increase during june and a drop in july. January to march is the peak travel season to the island room rates can spike to more than.
Visitors will come in contact with temperatures of around 25c, making getting around jamaica. Beachgoers flock to jamaicas shores at this time particularly in late march for spring break because the hurricane season is over and the temperatures are idyllic and breezy. However, hurricanes are largely unpredictable and happen sporadically in the bahamas. But its important to note that travel plans to jamaica are sometimes affected by hurricanes, either when the outskirts of storms have brushed the. In the eastern pacific ocean, hurricane season begins may 15 and ends nov. Peak season begins middecember and ends midapril, which is a.
Officially, the hurricane season in the caribbean is from 1 june to 30 november, but as we know, mother nature hasnt quite been herself in the last few years so this is an estimate. Statistically, the chances of a hurricane or tropical storm hitting jamaica during your visit are very slim. The 1944 jamaica hurricane was a deadly major hurricane that swept across the caribbean. Heres when the atlantic hurricane season typically ramps up. The caribbean hurricane season reaches its peak during october with the majority of hurricane formation occuring in the western caribbean. Instead, the islands more often will see a big jump. The official start of the hurricane season is june 1. Turks and caicos the british territory urged coastal residents to move to higher ground as the hurricane approached yesterday. The atlantic hurricane season starts on june 1 and ends on nov 30 of every year. However, jamaica was largely left untouched by hurricanes irma and maria, which swept through the caribbean in 2017, killing thousands and causing billions of dollars in damage. It is tied with 1969 as the fourthmost active atlantic hurricane season on record in terms of named storms, with 18 named storms and 20 tropical cyclones in total, although many were weak and shortlived, especially towards the end of the season. Last year we were there the first 2 weeks of oct the prior 2 years the last of aug to first of sept. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclones form in the atlantic basin and are adopted by convention. Many advise staying away from jamaica during hurricane season.
When preparing for a hurricane, ensure you do the following. Hurricane season in the bahamas officially lasts from june 1 to november 30. Just to give some perspective though, at the time of writing, the last major hurricane to hit the region was more than 10 years ago. The 2018 atlantic hurricane season began on june 1st, 2018 and ended november 30th, 2018. Therefore, countries within the hurricane zone, including jamaica have been. The 2019 atlantic hurricane season was the fourth consecutive year of aboveaverage and damaging seasons dating back to 2016.