The Climate of
Guadeloupe
Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Calvaire de la Désirade
What is the climate of Guadeloupe like?
The French overseas department of Guadeloupe is made up of a group of islands that are the most southerly of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. Guadeloupe is situated south of Antigua and north of Dominica.
Tempered by sea breezes, Guadeloupe's tropical climate is generally mild and pleasant. Summer temperatures average 27°C (81°F) and may rise above 32°C (90°F). Winter is only a little cooler: temperatures average 24°C (75°F).
Near sea level, the annual rainfall is about 1,000 to 2,000 millimeters (40 to 80 inches), well distributed throughout the year, with a wetter season from July to November. Rainfall increases on the mountains and on the windward slopes exposed to the constant and moist northeast trade winds. Thus annual rainfall ranges from 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) on La Désirade to between 5,000 and 10,000 millimeters (200 to 400 inches) on the mountains of Basse-Terre.
Guadeloupe lies in the track of violent tropical hurricanes which are most likely to develop between August and October. The severest of these storms may only strike Guadeloupe every few years but the appreciable rainfall they, and less violent disturbances, bring to a wider area accounts for the heavier rainfall during these months.
| Climate data for Basse-Terre | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 28 (82) | 28 (82) | 28 (82) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 30 (86) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 26 (79) | 25 (77) | 26 (79) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 80 (3.1) | 60 (2.4) | 70 (2.8) | 110 (4.3) | 150 (5.9) | 120 (4.7) | 160 (6.3) | 190 (7.5) | 230 (9.1) | 220 (8.7) | 220 (8.7) | 140 (5.5) | 1,750 (69) |
| Source: Weatherbase.com | |||||||||||||
References
- E. A. Pearce, Charles Gordon Smith, (1990) The Hutchinson World Weather Guide, John Murray Press. ISBN 1859863426
- Timothy L. Gall, (ed.), (2003), Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Eleventh Edition, Thomson Gale
- Hugh Chisholm, (ed.), (1911), Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh edition, Cambridge University Press
The Climate of
Guadeloupe
In summary:
Guadeloupe enjoys a tropical climate moderated by sea breezes. Rainfall is high, especially in the mountains. There is a dry season January to April, and a rain season July to November.