The Climate of
Suriname
Bridge over the Commmwijne river
Climate Map
Climate map of Suriname
What is the climate of Suriname like?
Suriname is situated between 2° and 6°N on the Atlantic coast of South America between Guyana to the west and French Guiana to the east. In area it is smaller than Guyana and is about as large as England and Wales together. Suriname is divided between a coastal plain, and a forested plateau region which extends eastwards from Venezuela through Guyana.
Suriname's climate is generally tropical and humid. The daily trade winds that blow in from the Atlantic Ocean are the greatest influence on the country's temperatures. Temperatures range from 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F) during the day; nighttime temperatures can drop to 21°C (70°F).
Annually, the western region receives 1,900 millimeters (75 inches) of rain, while the eastern area receives 2,400 millimeters (95 inches). Annual rainfall in Paramaribo, the capital city, is approximately 2,200 millimeters (86 inches). Most rainfall occurs in the mountains in the southern region.
Suriname experiences two wet seasons and two dry seasons. A long rainy season occurs from April to August and is followed by a long dry season from August to November. Another rainy season occurs from December to February, but it is shorter and less rainy. It is followed by a short dry season in February and March.
The climate Paramaribo is representative of the lowland coastal area of the country.
| Climate data for Paramaribo | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 33 (91) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 28 (82) | 28 (82) | 27 (81) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 200 (7.9) | 140 (5.5) | 150 (5.9) | 210 (8.3) | 290 (11.4) | 290 (11.4) | 230 (9.1) | 170 (6.7) | 90 (3.5) | 90 (3.5) | 120 (4.7) | 180 (7.1) | 2,160 (85) |
| 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
Suriname
In summary:
The climate of Suriname is tropical and humid. Daytime temperatures range from 28° to 32°C (82–90°F ). At night the temperature drops as low as 21°C (70°F) because of the moderating influence of the northeast trade winds, which blow in from the sea all year.
The annual rainfall in Paramaribo is about 2200 mm (86 in). April to August is the main rainy season, with a lesser rainy season from December to February.