Jamaica Weather and Climate

Geographical location

With an area of ​​10,991 square kilometers, Jamaica is the third largest Antilles island in the Caribbean. According to COUNTRYAAH, the American mainland is approximately 635 kilometers to the west. To the north is Cuba and to the east is Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

About 3 million people live in Jamaica, which has some geographic features. The Caribbean island is traversed by many small rivers, some of which also flow underground. The longest of them is the Rio Minho with over 92 kilometers in length.

The highest point on the island is the 2256-meter-high Blue Mountain Peak. The mountain region is known for its coffee cultivation, which can thrive thanks to the climate. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston, which can usually be reached with a stopover in about 14 hours by flight from Frankfurt.

Another airport is located in the north-west of Jamaica near the resort of Montego Bay, which is served by several international airlines.

• Abbreviation Finder: Check to see national geography, brief history, society description, domestic politics, economy overview, and a list of widely used acronyms about Jamaica.

Climate in Jamaica

Jamaica has a tropical climate, with temperatures fluctuating little over the course of the year. In the months of June to October, daytime temperatures rise to over 30 degrees, in the remaining months they usually do not exceed this mark. However, a constant trade wind makes these high temperatures bearable and does not spoil the holiday feeling.

In the months of May to October there are lows of at least 25 degrees Celsius. In the remaining months it will never be cooler than 23 degrees Celsius. The Blue Mountains, which are up to 2250 meters high, have a somewhat milder climate. At the summit there can even be a fresh 13 degrees. In general, Jamaica has two dry and rainy seasons. Dry periods occur in July and August as well as from December to April.

Rainfalls occur mainly in the rainy season between May and June and in the period from September to November. The amount of rain varies greatly depending on the region. In the north-west there can be up to 164 millimeters of precipitation in October, in the mountainous region significantly more, here the annual precipitation can even be up to 5000 millimeters.

When to go to Jamaica

Jamaica can generally be described as an absolute year-round destination, as the weather is relatively constant and even the rainy season in the main holiday resorts is comparatively moderate. The best time to travel to Jamaica, however, is the main dry season from mid-December to April. Since this period falls within the European winter, it is not surprising that Jamaica is very popular at this time of year.

You must therefore expect quite high prices and well-filled hotels during the best travel time, from Christmas to Easter is the high season on the Caribbean island. With water temperatures always above 25 ° C, beach holidays in Jamaica are possible all year round. The Caribbean beaches offer ideal conditions and plenty of sunshine all year round.

There are also very good conditions at any time of the year for vacationers who want to spend their vacation actively. The dry months at the beginning of the year are recommended for kayak tours or trekking excursions. A steady breeze makes the hot temperatures bearable in the coastal regions. Even if the climate in August and September is generally very pleasant, this travel time is in the possible hurricane season.

Hurricanes can hit Jamaica between June and November (official hurricane season in the Caribbean), with the highest risk between August and the end of September. Since July is usually spared and on top of that falls into the second, shorter dry season, this travel month is also recommended.

Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine in Montego Bay (Jamaica)

	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daytime temperature	28 ° C	28 ° C	29 ° C	29 ° C	30 ° C	31 ° C	31 ° C	31 ° C	31 ° C	30 ° C	29 ° C	28 ° C
Night temperature	22 ° C	22 ° C	23 ° C	23 ° C	24 ° C	25 ° C	25 ° C	25 ° C	25 ° C	24 ° C	24 ° C	23 ° C
Water temperature	26 ° C	26 ° C	26 ° C	27 ° C	27 ° C	28 ° C	28 ° C	29 ° C	28 ° C	28 ° C	27 ° C	27 ° C
Precipitation in mm	89	64	35	57	104	120	65	96	129	164	115	102
Rainy days	11	9	7	7	12	11	8	10	14	14	13	11
Hours of sunshine	7	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	7	7
Sunrise	6:45	6:40	6:20	5:55	5:40	5:35	5:45	5:55	6:00	6:05	6:20	6:35
Sunset	17:55	18:10	18:20	18:30	18:40	18:50	18:50	18:40	18:15	17:50	17:35	17:40

Temperatures

The average annual temperature in Montego Bay is 26.1 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is July (27.4 ° C), coldest month of January with mean values of 24.6 ° C. The maximum water temperature in Montego Bay is 29 ° C. Comfortable bathing is possible at these temperatures. All months have a water temperature of at least 21 ° C and are therefore suitable for a beach holiday.

Precipitation

The annual precipitation is 1140 mm on 127 days with precipitation. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. There is no rainy season, i.e. months with more than 175 mm of precipitation. You cannot expect snow in any month in Montego Bay.

Sunshine

As our climate table shows, April is the sunniest month with an average of 8.4 hours of sunshine per day. The average annual sun shines 7.6 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.

Highlights and attractions

In the north of the island you will find the heavenly Blue Holes in Ocho Rios, which are beautifully landscaped and can also be used for refreshing bathing. Dunn’s River Falls can be visited nearby. The waterfalls are an absolute must for every Jamaican traveler. Seven Mile Beach is located in Negril and is considered the most beautiful beach in Jamaica and invites you to relax.

In the same place is the Rainforest Bobsled at Mystik Mountain, a special kind of amusement park. Other attractions in Jamaica are the White River and the Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios. Other contenders for the title of “Jamaica’s Most Beautiful Beach” include Fort Charles Beach, James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, Half Moon Beach near Orange Bay, Aqua Sol Beach and Frenchman’s Cove near Port Antonio.