Extreme Weather
Average temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. Around the coastal plains the temperature is usually about 70°F - 90°F. The north coast tends to be a few degrees cooler than the south, because of the stronger breezes. Evenings can be considerably cooler than during the days. The rainiest weather in Jamaica occurs in May and June and again in October and November and can sometimes extend into December. While the average annual rainfall is 50.7 inches, accumulation varies dramatically across the island. In contrast to the southwestern coast of Jamaica, which receives little rain and is often classified as semi barren, the eastern (windward) coast receives considerably more rain than anywhere else on the island. For the most part when it does rain in Jamaica, showers are short, heavy and followed by sunshine. Jamaica does lie in the hurricane belt, and the official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with August and September being the peak months. However, the Caribbean region is more vast than most people think, and the chances of any single island being hit directly by a hurricane are very slim. Most often, islands will only receive the heavy rains that come on the outskirts of a hurricane, avoiding the most extreme weather conditions. Direct hits on Jamaica by major storms are so rare, in fact, that many elder Jamaican inhabitants still relate events in history to being before or after "the storm" because they may have only seen one or two of significance in their lifetimes.
Unlike Jamaica, Haiti has the problem of not enough rain. Haiti is currently suffering a severe drought that has been going on for the past few years. They have no success with crops or livestock due to the lack of water, and it is causing people to starve. School meals are no longer able to be provided in some areas because of the lack of clean water to cook meals in. They have sought international help as they have no other option.
ReplyDeleteSophia,
ReplyDeleteMy brother and his wife shared a honeymoon in Jamaica this past year and said nothing but wonderful things about their getaway. I've heard the country of Jamaica can have great weather especially for those visiting and wanting to explore. However, I am aware that every country has its good and its bad. I think it's silly that the rain fall picks up much more often in Jamaica. I'm wondering what the temperature is like in Jamaica when it rains during the end of the year. Is the weather still warm or humid out, or do they experience degrees below average?