Puerto Rico Climate

It’s not hard to guess why many North Americans spend the winter here. The mild, tropical climate is pretty much perfect year-round. The locals start grumbling when the temperature falls below 70˚F. Even winter cold fronts, called nortes, only drop to about 60˚F. The temperature does vary slightly around the island; temperatures in the mountains usually hover about 5-9˚F lower than those on the coast (see Climate Chart). Northeasterly trade winds drop all of the rain on the northern side of the island before clouds hit the mountains, leaving the south relatively arid and dry. Officially, the dry season runs from November to March, although on most of the island there is no distinguishable difference between the two seasons. It can rain all year round, usually in fifteen- to twenty-minute spurts at a time.

The more important season to keep in mind is hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30 but only poses a significant threat from August to October. Hurricanes have plagued Puerto Rico throughout its history, destroying crops and taking lives—in fact, the word “hurricane” derives from the Taíno name for the god of winds and destruction, Jurakán. On average, a hurricane brushes by San Juan every 3.85 years. Hurricane Georges, the worst storm in recent history, hit on September 21, 1998, and caused almost $2 billion in damage.

More Land in Puerto Rico

Flora And Fauna

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