When is Jamaica's rainy season?

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angellus88

Two types of climate are found on Jamaica. An upland tropical climate prevails on the windward side of the mountains, whereas a semiarid climate predominates on the leeward side. Warm trade winds from the east and northeast bring rainfall throughout the year. The rainfall is heaviest from May to October, with peaks in those two months. The average rainfall is 196 centimeters per year. Rainfall is much greater in the mountain areas facing the north and east, however. Where the higher elevations of the John Crow Mountains and the Blue Mountains catch the rain from the moisture-laden winds, rainfall exceeds 508 centimeters per year. Since the southwestern half of the island lies in the rain shadow of the mountains, it has a semiarid climate and receives fewer than 762 millimeters of rainfall annually.

Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging 25Â°C to 30Â°C in the lowlands and 15Â°C to 22Â°C at higher elevations. Temperatures may dip to below 10Â°C at the peaks of the Blue Mountains. The island receives, in addition to the northeast trade winds, refreshing onshore breezes during the day and cooling offshore breezes at night. These are known on Jamaica as the "Doctor Breeze" and the "Undertaker's Breeze," respectively.

Jamaica lies in the Atlantic hurricane belt; as a result, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Powerful hurricanes which have hit the island directly causing death and destruction include Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Several other powerful hurricanes have passed near to the island with damaging effects. In 1980, for example, Hurricane Allen destroyed nearly all Jamaica's banana crop. In recent years, Hurricane Ivan (2004) swept past the island causing heavy damage and a number of deaths; in 2005, Hurricanes Dennis and Emily brought heavy rains to the island.

Madman1212

November and December are considered the rainy season, especially in the Portland province.

sassy_natz

Hurricane season is June to November. Other that that its a tropical island and you can expect rain. It just doesn't rain all day. It's generally light and intermittent.

RACQUEL

We get intermitten rain here but September & October usually has more rainfall than in other months.

Other sheep

Usually late june to november, at least, thats how it was this year.

Godblessed

I am answering as one who lives in Jamaica. The traditional rainy months are May and October. The hurricane season which streches from June- November isn't much of a rainy season. During the hurricane season you can experience glorious sunshine or dramatic hurricanes. During my lifertime (over 20 years) we have had hurricanes in July and September.

Come when you wish, it is unlikely that any particular time will be unfavourable. Consider other things to determine when you visit the island. Do you want to attend our Jazz and Blues Festival (January), Carnival (April), Reggae Sunsplash (August), Reggae Sumfest (July), Sting (Dancehall show in December), Welcome to Jamrock (December), Fun in the Sun (a gospel show during spring break) then visit when these shows will be going on. If you want to just relax at your hotel then any month will work.

June to November (hurricane season)

Texas Parrot Head

Beautiful in the morning, hotter and humider than hell by noon, raining by 4 (time for a nap anyway), clear again by 6, cool and breezy by the time you take your after dinner stroll at 9.

That's the Carribean.

Jabrutha

The summer months: May- September are definitely the months when it rains alot. Jamaica is in the Caribbean and subject to hurricanes, but luckily, most have always side-stepped Jamaica.
During the summer, the weather is like south Florida. Bright and sunny in the mornings, quick thunderstorms in the afternoon, with it usually clearing away by evening. Mosquitoes are usually a problem around this time, so bring repellent. Your best for a vacation would be now, if you can afford it (tourist season). Spring break (March-April) season is also relatively good weather but you also have the college kids to watch out for. Aldo depends on where in the island too. It doesn't rain as often in Kingston as say Port Antonio/ Ocho Rios.
Most people don't mind the rain as it hardly ever rains constantly throughout the day, just brief showers....its not monsoon weather there.
Have fun, take pics and make lots of memories

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