There is now considerable scientific consensus showing that there are less hurricanes forming in the Caribbean region but those that do form are becoming more dangerous. Early in the season the Gulf of Mexico experiences warming quicker than other parts of the Atlantic. Summer comes in hot and humid on most of these tropical islands, then the weather starts to cool a few degrees as autumn arrives. All the necessary ingredients are there in the atmospheric soup for a hurricane to form. If you want to know what the weather will be like in the Caribbean in the month you plan to travel, then check the above link. Make sure to bring a valid and up-to-date identification card and passport for each person traveling. The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico) is from 1 June to 30 November. Bring a list of emergency phone numbers for medical and travel insurance, doctors, and people to contact in an emergency. I have deliberately avoided discussing the Caribbean weather on this page. For instance, the Eastern Caribbean, as well as the U.S. East Coast, experiences more hurricanes between August and September, while the Western Caribbean has more hurricanes from September until early November. In May and June (the early part of the Caribbean hurricane season), the majority of hurricanes occur in the western part of the Caribbean. Home > 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Also, please make sure that the company you plan to use for obtaining hurricane guarantees is trustworthy. So why is July the month when hurricanes are least likely to form? If you're planning a trip to Barbados, Barbados gets hit by hurricanes once every 20 years approximately. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. Accommodation in the Caribbean hurricane season is quite cheap, so if you want to advantage of this and avoid hurricanes at the same time, one of the safest places to go is the Netherland's Antilles islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacoa off the northern coast of South America. Caribbean hurricane season occurs roughly from the end of May to the beginning of December, with the peak season being from August through October. The Caribbean —the region southeast of mainland North America and the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America, and north of South America—has its official hurricane season from June 1 to November 30, peaking in August, September, and October. Caribbean locals do more inter-island traveling during the region's low season, so ask them for insider suggestions too. winds coming from the east). Traditionally, the hurricane season begins from June 1 to November 30 but peaks in the months of August, September, and October during which the islands experience series of hurricanes and tropical storms. The good news is that six-month Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on Nov. 30. Other Caribbean islands that are not normally in the path of hurricanes during the hurricane season are Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and Barbados. On rare occasions, hurricanes can occur as early as May. an anticyclone) and it's this high pressure system that normally leads to short-term drought-like conditions over the southern Caribbean. Put simply, the surface ocean temperatures during October is approximately 1°C warmer (particularly in the far south-western parts of the Caribbean) than any other month of the year. Here is a list of additional facts that you can use to help plan your travel destination in the Caribbean region: So why is October the flavour of the month for hurricanes in the Caribbean? When is the Best Time to Visit Martinique? But outside of an actual tropical storm event, the rain typically falls in bursts, with hours of sunshine possible in between. As the season progresses, more hurricanes begin to form, so by August to September, they can occur throughout most of the Caribbean. How to Travel to Grenada Right Now. One of the most significant factors was the dissipation of the El Niño that had inhibited activity in 2019, and the transitio… Up to eleven hurricanes can form during the Caribbean hurricane season each year but normally it is around eight. The official Caribbean hurricane season runs from the 1st June through to 30th November but the hurricanes are not evenly distributed across the region during this time. The frequency and intensity of Caribbean storms vary greatly from year to year, but even in the most intense hurricane season, the odds of your vacation being disrupted by weather remain quite low. North America and the middle parts of the American continent are famous for tropical storms, cyclones, and hurricanes. How Often Do Hurricanes Hit the US Virgin Islands? Hurricanes occasionally form in May so don't be fooled into believing that they can't form outside these dates. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions (Source: Wikipedia). Yes, you can (and should) visit the Caribbean during hurricane season. Sign up for breaking newsletters. How to Plan Travel Around the Atlantic Hurricane Season. These easterly winds arise due an intensifying high pressure system (i.e. In the region of the French West Indies (i.e. Ninety nine percent of hurricanes in the Caribbean move from east to west. July is often free of tropical storms as the water cools (particularly in the southern Caribbean), while warmer water temperatures make October the month when the most hurricanes form, and June the second most likely. Past Novembers, Decembers, Januaries and Februaries. The 6 Towns in the Outer Banks You Need to Know. Hurricanes passing over Puerto Rico are rare - they normally occur once every 20 years (sometimes every 10 years). Barbados is rarely influenced by hurricanes as they tend to pass to the north closer to Guadeloupe and Dominica, this is true even for October. The Atlantic hurricane season affects areas across the eastern and southern coasts of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. You might not see candid advertising of hurricane season deals—most island marketing experts opt against calling attention to potential bad weather—but you should be able to secure reduced rates on lodging, transportation, and activities during the low season. Each year, an average of 13 tropical storms whirl through the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through November 30. The Caribbean—the region southeast of mainland North America and the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America, and north of South America—has its official hurricane season from June 1 to November 30, peaking in August, September, and October. Don't miss a storm update this hurricane season. So you must plan your trip carefully so as to minimise any potential safety issues. Ask about summer and fall specials when you book your accommodations, and watch for flight discounts, especially after school resumes in late August or early September in the United States. Caribbean. These southern islands are among your safest options for a trip free of hurricane hassles. But don't be fooled into believing you'll be safe elsewhere in the Caribbeans. During hurricane season, you might consider buying. Hurricane Isaias hit the Caribbean over the weekend, killing two people. It was an above average season that produced 18 Tropical Cyclones, 17 Named Storms, 9 Hurricanes and 5 Major hurricanes. Hurricanes prefer to follow a path that takes them away from the equator. More significant rainfall takes place in mountainous regions rather than at the beach, where short showers can provide welcome relief from the heat. Even though some hurricanes are large in size, they cannot pass over every Caribbean island. Eta is finished and the Caribbean system is likely to stay south – the end of the hurricane season appears to be in sight Bryan Norcross , Hurricane … Only one hurricane has travelled from west to east in the last 113 years. September historically is the worst month of the season for hurricane risk for cruise and resort visitors. Discover November in the Caribbean: Lower Prices and Balmy Weather, Risk of Hurricanes in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Tips to Travel Safely to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season, How Often Hurricanes Make Landfall in Florida, September in the Caribbean: Weather and Event Guide. the chain of islands south-east of Puerto Rico). There has only been two hurricanes that have formed in the far southern part of the Caribbean during July over the last 118 years, so stick to the region around Aruba if you're planning travel to the Caribbean during this time. Tropical cyclone activity was off to an early start with two named storms before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season June 1. In August, hurricanes form once every 22 years approximately in the south-western Caribbean region. Caribbean countries Caribbean sea cyclone hurricane season 2020 Weather more recommended stories Mysterious monoliths have suddenly appeared in Utah, California, Romania, and now on the Isle of Wight Theta, the 29th, was weakening over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30, but storms can form any time. The region around the Bahamas has the most frequent occurrence of hurricanes. So, … Although hurricanes are generally unpredictable, conventional wisdom has dictated that peak season varies by geography. The annual Caribbean hurricane seasons officially begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The official hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from 1 June to 30 November, but within that, there are variations. The Caribbean region (particularly in the south-west) becomes dominated by strong easterly winds (i.e. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. This leaves colder water underneath to rise to the surface. In addition to this, the southern and south-western parts of the Caribbean during July experiences lower than normal sea-surface temperatures because the easterly winds push the warmer surface water toward the equator. Points of Origin by 10-Day Period As seen in the graph above, the peak of the season is from mid-August to late October. Even though some parts of the year are more statistically likely to see hurricanes, that hardly means a strong tropical storm is guaranteed.. Hurricanes usually affect only a small part of a big region at a time. 7 Hurricane-Free (and Low-Risk) Caribbean Islands. If using Airbnb for travel lodging, the company doesn't require documentation if a hurricane hits, but they will, If a hurricane hits: While you will typically count on hotel management to guide you through, make sure you at least have an evacuation plan and. However, deadly hurricanes can occur anytime in the hurricane season. Eta is the 28th named storm of the active 2020 hurricane season and ties the record for the number of named storms in a single season set back in 2005. Hurricanes occasionally form in May so don't be fooled into believing that they can't form outside these dates. Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy) one hurricane typically passes nearby every 3-4 years. The Caribbean hurricane season reaches its peak during October with the majority of hurricane formation occuring in the western Caribbean. It rarely rains on desert-like Aruba, and on many other islands, measurable precipitation usually falls in the late afternoon or early evening. Once on the ground in your destination, look for deals on activities, which typically attract fewer crowds at this time of year. But when you compare the likelihood of hurricanes in these areas, the Caribbean is the least dangerous place to travel during the hurricane season, even if you travel in peak hurricane season. From 1950 through 2019, 35 storms have formed in November, an average of one storm every other year. The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. However, storms can and do form in December, so experienced hotel staff aren't stowing the hurricane … If you're traveling during hurricane season and have picked a safer island along with getting a deal, it's still important to be prepared for the rare chance of a natural disaster. By most weather records, it's reasonable to expect up to nine hours of sunshine a day during the summer. Get to know the National Weather Service's, Find out what your insurance covers before you go. Hurricanes that occur in the far southern parts of the Caribbean are normally not severe and are quite rare. The official Caribbean hurricane season runs from the 1st June through to 30th November but the hurricanes are not evenly distributed across the region during this time. What You Can Expect Traveling to the Caribbean in October. The last storm, Hurricane Rene, dissipated on November 19. So, the Caribbean hurricane season can technically be broken in half since July is frequently associated with mainly fine weather, more so in the southern and south-western parts of the Caribbean. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1, 2020. For the Caribbean, the hurricane season usually starts in June and lasts until November. Montserrat, located in the West Indies, is normally not in the path of hurricanes in July. Summer comes in hot and humid on most of these tropical islands, then the weather starts to cool a few degrees as autumn arrives. If you're thinking of travelling to the Caribbean in October, please take every precaution as the hurricanes tend to reach maximum strength at that time of the year. Hurricane Michael, the strongest hurricane of the 2018 season, made landfall near Mexico Beach, Fla., as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 10. Signs of the hurricane season in the Caribbean Islands start in May with periodic light rains through to June. After 14 more days of inactivity, Tropical Storm Epsilon formed in mid-October and became the season's 10th hurricane on October 20, making 2020 the 5th Atlantic hurricane season in the satellite era (since 1966) to have at least 10 hurricanes by October 20, in addition to 1969, 1995, 2005 and 2017. Hurricane season correlates to the rainy season, which encompasses the entire Caribbean. Hurricane Season: 5 Caribbean Travel Tips Traveling to the Caribbean in the summer or fall always sounds like a good idea -- until you remember that hurricane season lasts from June to November. So if a hurricane is west of your location, it will most likely be moving away from you. The 2017 hurricane season, the fifth most active season on record, featured 17 named storms and multiple Category 5 hurricanes. Michael was the strongest hurricane … However, each year can be unique. A busier than normal Atlantic Ocean hurricane season has been predicted for … Close to Home. More Caribbean & Mexico. Keep these 5 travel tips in mind before you book that Caribbean beach vacation. In the Northern Atlantic Ocean, a distinct hurricane season occurs from June 1 to November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September; the season's climatological peak of activity occurs around September 10 each season. Even though the Caribbean hurricane season is from June to November, there are still times when hurricanes are almost non-existent. As you now know, if you're travelling during the Caribbean hurricane season, you must choose your travel dates carefully. But daytime air temperatures remain fairly consistently above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) year-round. Hurricane season in the Caribbean Islands starts in June and runs till the end of November. As shown by the graph below, October has the most frequent occurrence of hurricanes (in the Caribbean basin), while the second most frequent occurrence is in June. The Caribbean is known for being prone to hurricanes due to its warm waters and moist air during the summer months. The official hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from 1 June to 30 November, but within that, there are variations. So that's why Dutch Caribbean islands, Out of all the regions in the Caribbean, the south-eastern part has the least number of hurricanes and the south-western and the north-east region (. By Donna Heiderstadt. How Often Do Hurricanes Hit North and South Carolina? T he conventional wisdom is that the Caribbean is a no-go zone during hurricane season.The conventional wisdom is wrong. The Caribbean islands reopening to holidaymakers amid hurricane season Save Barbados has reopened to tourists, has few hurricanes and is on the travel corridor list Credit: Getty By July, hurricane formation shifts to the Lesser Antilles (i.e. The first storm, Tropical Storm Arthur, formed on June 22. During this time, rainfall increases due to the arrival of the monsoon. Eastern North Pacific (East of 140°W) Of all the islands in the French West Indies, Guadeloupe has the greatest number of hurricanes averaging one every 2.25 years. Unless lightning accompanies a rain shower, you can usually just go about your day as planned. In the event of a hurricane, you may be able to obtain free accommodation and travel to cover expenses if you have a hurricane guarantee. Make sure you are ready by tackling the things on this list—also, do you need a plan B? This season is further divided between the specific areas of the region. I would also advise that either you or your travel agent arrange a hurricane guarantee for every stage of your trip. Robert Curley is a freelance writer and guidebook author specializing in Caribbean Island and Rhode Island travel. Latest. Arthur developed May 16 … Note that hurricanes can bust transmission lines, so information may get cut off all of a sudden. Eta was the 28th named storm of this year's hurricane season, tying the 2005 record for named storms. Some destinations almost never get hit by hurricanes or tropical storms, so you can probably count on a trouble-free trip, though there are no guarantees with Mother Nature. It is this colder water that limits the formation of hurricanes in July. How to Travel to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season. Follow … Check on your airline's policy and any tours booked for changes and/or cancellations due to weather before heading on your trip. There were many factors that contributed to the activity of the season. All rights reserved www.world-weather-travellers-guide.com. Updated: August 28, 2018. Caribbean Hurricane Season 2021 may be a rough one because there have not been any major tropical hits on these coasts for 4 years. When planning your Caribbean vacation, keep in mind that the southernmost islands experience fewer dangerous storms than those in the Atlantic "hurricane belt" through the central and eastern portions of the Caribbean, like Jamaica. There are of course many other factors that contribute to a hurricanes formation, but I will discuss this on another page in the future. If you visit the Caribbean in July, you'll be happy to know that hurricanes rarely effect the region. * Spanish translations, when available, are courtesy of the NWS San Juan Weather Forecast Office . This is the norm, but in 1938, the Atlantic hurricane season … Copyright © 2018. Share your Videos, Photos and Experiences on Our Facebook Group! 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