When Is The Rainy Season In Jamaica

Nature: By H.D. Carberry, 1921-1989- Excerpt

“We have neither Summer nor Winter

Neither Autumn nor Spring.

We have instead the days,

When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-

Magnificently.

The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofs

And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies

And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds”. End quote. Hence, when is the rainy season in Jamaica?

When Is The Rainy Season In Jamaica

Jamaica is a tropical island in the Caribbean. She is one of the leading tropical paradises located in the Caribbean. Lush landscapes, rivers and streams are to be found throughout the country, making the landscape picturesque and serene. The famous poem quoted above best describes the island’s climate, especially regarding the rainy season. It can be quite ‘dramatic’ whenever it rains. There may be thunderstorms with lightning and thunder resulting in flooding-to-moderate showers that cool the temperatures and promote a light feeling in the air. And because it tends to be so hot on the island, a refreshing cold shower is always welcome, especially by farmers! So, when is the rainy season in Jamaica?

The Wet Season In Jamaica

So let’s see what the farmers welcome! This season of rain typically happens from June to November. And as mentioned above, prepare for thunderstorms and ‘extremely’ heavy rain. This time is Atlantic hurricane season which puts Jamaica at risk of flooding like her neighbours within the Caribbean. As the Caribbean of tropical islands, Jamaica receives winds from the North East, which affect the rainfall pattern. With the changes in the weather pattern, you will only find rain happening for part of the day. Despite the possibility of rain, you will still enjoy fantastic weather year-round. April is typically a dry month with a low chance of rain: calm winds, and an ocean temperature of 81 degrees!

Note: There Are Two Rainy Seasons In Jamaica

The May rains end in June and then welcome showers again from September to November. And this means you can experience the wettest month of the year in October. The mountainous regions within the island’s centre will get more rain because of the elevation. The mountains shelter the island from the trade winds, and the south coast is less rainy than the north. And this is due to the height of the Blue Mountains or the hills in the country’s west-central part. 

What Is The Rainfall Like In The Popular Tourist Spots In Jamaica?

So should you plan to visit Jamaica, while you may not necessarily experience ‘Showers of Blessings’ as Jamaicans love to call it, it’s helpful to know what to expect in the popular tourist spots, especially during the rainy season in Jamaica. 

Montego Bay, St. James, towards the island’s west, has its warmest days in July, with January being the coldest. It can get overcast and sweltering in the summer with high dryness. June to September are the ‘hot months.’ Rainfall on a wet day in Mo-Bay is minimal! Therefore, this is perfect for vacationing in Jamaica. 1-millimeter with the wet season from May to November: the wetter days are in September. January carries the least amount of rain. It is best when your plans to vacation in Jamaica you find out when is the rainy season.

Ocho Rios, St. Ann, popularly known as ‘Ochie’, is found on Jamaica’s north coast. Expect hot summers and warm, dry ‘winters’ (refer to the poem: “We have neither Summer nor Winter”!). Ocho Rios has a daily high temperature of 31 degrees Celsius, and because it is near the sea, expect humidity. Expect cloudiness in May, when the rainfall can begin, and the most rain can happen during October.

Rainy Season In Other Parishes

Negril, Westmoreland is the home for sun, sun and more sun! Expect heat and overcast conditions during the wet season, which happens from December to April, and the coldest month tends to be February. It is constantly dry in this tourist spot and oppressively windy. If it does rain, which can happen every day and throughout the year, there is no need to worry as the showers there are very brief! As a general rule, if your vacation is in Negril, there is no reason to be concerned. Although it is the rainy season in jamaica, your vacation will not be spoiled.

Kingston and St. Andrew – located off the south coast, are slightly warm in the ‘winter months’ of December and January. As a matter of fact, it is warm, bordering on hot, in this section of Jamaica. Remember, though, your experience for the beach will definitely be better in Mo-Bay, Ochie or Negril. Expect lots of rain in May, September and October. October month is the wettest.

Port Antonio, Portland home to the Blue Lagoon, gets lots of rain all year round! Her driest months are January, February and March; the wettest? October. The entire island will experience considerable rainfall this month. However, Portland tends to get much more than the remainder. 331.8 rainy days are making it wet for over 90.73% yearly. Nevertheless, this undiscovered parish remains the most scenic and romantic.

Jamaica’s Hurricane Season

Like other Caribbean islands, Jamaica is not exempt from the hurricane season, which begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. No need to panic! These times tend to be the best to holiday in this tropical paradise. And the chance of you experiencing a hurricane while you’re on vacation is very slim! 

Storm activity heightens early to the middle of September, and travel insurance is the recommendation- especially one that includes coverage for hurricanes. Protecting your holiday investment should you be prevented from travelling due to the weather is easy. Always remember to check on updates, though.

Conclusion

The rainy season in Jamaica will NOT stop you from having lots of fun! Of course, it’s always practical to plan, but should you arrive outside when it rains, and it does, trust a Jamaican to still show you a great time on your vacation. However, there is a chance for ‘Showers of Blessings’ to prepare for swimming in crystal waters and snorkelling on protected reefs. There is still lots of sunshine to make the trip unforgettable. Hot sun and tropical showers during the summer create the ideal climate blend perfect for a vacation. So, whatever the time you choose to vacation, whether the rainy season in Jamaica, or not, you are sure to have an incredible time!

Source:

1.https://www.sandals.com/blog/best-time-year-j 

2. https://weatherspark.com/y/20739/Average-Weather-in-Montego-Bay-Jamaica-Year-Roundamaica/#rainfallinjamaica

3. https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/jamaica

4. https://www.thetopvillas.com/blog/jamaica/best-time-visit-jamaica/

5. https://zahuren.wordpress.com/poems/nature-by-h-d-carberry/