The Climate of
Martinique
Anse Couleuvre, beach in Le Prêcheur
What is the climate of Martinique like?
The island of Martinique is an overseas departement of France. It is situated among the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea between the islands of Dominica and Saint Lucia. It has a length of 75 km (47 mi) SE–NW and a maximum width of 34 km (21 mi) NE–SW. Most of the island is mountainous. The two highest peaks, Pelée (1,397 m / 4,583 ft) and Carbet (1,196 m / 3,923 ft), are volcanoes.
Martinique has a tropical climate. Mean annual temperature is about 26°C (79°F) and annual rainfall about 2000 millimeters (80 inches). With its high mountains, Martinique, is wetter than many of the flatter islands in the region. All months receive appreciable rain, but the heaviest rain is more likely to occur from July to November. This is the hurricane season and, although the most violent of these tropical storms may only strikethe island every few years, less severe ones can cause appreciable rainfall. Temperature, humidity, and sunshine throughout the year are typical of the Caribbean.
The climate of Fort-de-France reflects conditions on the west coast of the island, which is somewhat sheltered from the prevailing winds.
| Climate data for Fort-de-France (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 27.5 (81.5) | 27.8 (82.0) | 28.5 (83.3) | 29.4 (84.9) | 29.8 (85.6) | 29.5 (85.1) | 29.5 (85.1) | 30.0 (86.0) | 30.3 (86.5) | 30.0 (86.0) | 29.0 (84.2) | 28.1 (82.6) | 29.1 (84.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 24.7 (76.5) | 24.7 (76.5) | 25.2 (77.4) | 26.1 (79.0) | 26.7 (80.1) | 26.8 (80.2) | 26.7 (80.1) | 27.0 (80.6) | 27.2 (81.0) | 26.9 (80.4) | 26.2 (79.2) | 25.3 (77.5) | 26.1 (79.0) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.7 (71.1) | 22.0 (71.6) | 22.8 (73.0) | 23.6 (74.5) | 24.0 (75.2) | 23.9 (75.0) | 24.0 (75.2) | 24.0 (75.2) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.4 (74.1) | 22.6 (72.7) | 23.1 (73.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 119.5 (4.70) | 77.8 (3.06) | 74.3 (2.93) | 94.0 (3.70) | 131.5 (5.18) | 159.8 (6.29) | 219.3 (8.63) | 254.7 (10.03) | 234.5 (9.23) | 265.9 (10.47) | 254.5 (10.02) | 134.7 (5.30) | 2,020.5 (79.55) |
| Source: Meteo France | |||||||||||||
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
Martinique
In summary:
Martinique has a tropical climate. Mean annual temperature is about 26°C (80°F) and annual rainfall about 2000 mm (80 in). All months receive appreciable rain, but the heaviest rain is more likely to occur from July to November.