St Maarten Weather and Weather Forecast St Maarten and St Martin

St Maarten Weather and Weather Forecast St Maarten and St Martin

Surrounded by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, St Maarten and St Martin's basks in a typical tropical climate of sun-filled skies, warm temperatures and refreshing breezes year-round. Easterly trade winds help keep the weather warm but not hot, making this island a truly comfortable place any time of year. While New York, Chicago, and London endure the chill of gray skies, visitors to the island in January will enjoy summer like warmth in the low 80s Fahrenheit, with water temperatures in the 70s. Sunshine is dominant, though scattered clouds may produce a shower about two out of every three days. While it may sound like you will need an umbrella, winter showers are usually brief and light, leaving plenty of bright blue skies in their wake. After sunset, expect mild nighttime readings in the mid-70s. As spring and summer approach, the requency of more-intense rain showers and gusty winds increases as tropical waves traverse the region. The mercury climbs into the upper 80s most days, surpassing the 90 degree mark on rare occasions.

The most common misconception about the West Indies is that it must be much hotter in summer than it is during the rest of the year. In fact, the average monthly temperatures remain remarkably stable, varying by only about 5 Fahrenheit year-round. This stability can be attributed to the tradewinds, which bring refreshing breezes from the northeast throughout the year.

December through May is considered the dry season, while June through November is considered the more humid season. However, rain showers or clear skies can occur at any time during the year. In general, rainstorms pass quickly and the sun shines on most days. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 22 to 30C (72 to 86 F) and in inland areas, from 19 to 27 C (66 to 81 F). Naturally, travelers will find more rain and cooler temperatures in the rain forests and higher elevations. The warm coastal water temperatures stay between 20 and 23 C (68 and 74 F).

Hurricanes may occur any time from June through November and, historically, the most likely time is during September. Progressive technology brings more sophisticated storm warning systems every year. It is unusual for any one island to be severely affected more than once or twice every 10 years and your actual odds of experiencing a hurricane are very low. Some travelers purchase trip cancellation insurance in advance of travel, particularly during the most active period of the hurricane season.

National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

Active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico