You wonder if a stay during the rainy season in Martinique is possible? Will this ruin your trip to Martinique? Will there be some sunshine? Is it dangerous? In this article, we give you all the information to understand the rainy season in Martinique and whether to avoid it or not.
Martinique: What climate?
Martinique is a Caribbean island that is part of the Lesser Antilles. It is located between Guadeloupe and Dominica to the north and Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent to the south. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
The climate in Martinique is considered to be humid tropical. We distinguish two marked seasons:
- There wet season, also called wintering, generally takes place from May to December.
- There dry season Or Lent, generally takes place from January to April.
Thus, the dry season is ideal time for a trip to Martinique. It allows you to fully enjoy the beaches and the sun. According to our data, there are temperatures between 24 and 29°C and a water temperature that is still ideal for swimming.
The climate in Martinique is led by the Azores anticyclone, which allows you to adjust the position of the winds. Martinique is also very prone to winds, which blow throughout the year, especially in the morning. During the wet season, winds are more unstable and storms occur more easily.
The wet season lasts 8 months of the year in Martinique. So we cannot say that it should be avoided for sure. Here is more data on this season to plan your trip.
When is the rainy season in Martinique?
The wet season begins slowly in April and reached its peak in August. The rainiest months are August, September and October. These are certainly the months that should be avoided the most. At this time, the rains can follow one another in the form heavy downpours for several days. But this period also coincides with other risks.
Indeed, the rainy season in Martinique sometimes leads to formation of cyclones from August to November. The warming of the oceans leads to the evaporation of water which transforms into concentrated storm clouds. This cloud moves in a whirlwind, gaining momentum as it passes and sometimes forms tropical storms and hurricanes.
In Martinique, it rains regularly throughout the year. That said, a downpour can last 3 minutes and then good weather returns. The rainy season in Martinique is therefore especially characterized by significant rainfall compared to the rest of the year. As you might think, it doesn't rain a lot of days, but it mostly rains in large quantities.
However, like everywhere in the world, Martinique is experiencing climate change. This changes the references in terms of weather from year to year. So yes, during the rainy season in Martinique, the risk of rain will be greater than in January or February. But we see regular changes in these two periods.
For example, for a long time, carnival marked the opening of Lent and the start of good weather. However, in some years the rains are still very heavy in FEBRUARY. Although the dry season corresponds to a high level of sunshine and a relatively dry climate, some “lents” are wetter. Just like there may be a less violent or shorter wet season from one year to the next.
In general, we can therefore say that the rainy season in Martinique is marked by rains which will be more intense, more brutal and which are accompanied other inconveniences such as strong winds, thunderstorms, overcast weather, swell or even a risk of cyclone.
Risks during the rainy season in Martinique
Cyclones are common in the Antilles, particularly during the months of August, September and October. This is a recurring danger during the rainy season which has already caused extensive human and material damage on the island. In 1999, Hurricane Lenny hit the island bringing cyclonic swells that destroyed many houses and beaches. In 2007, Hurricane Dean led to wind gusts of up to 210 km/h, and 160 km/h on average. Thousands of homes were destroyed and the hurricane caused many deaths.
However, Martinique is also subject to other natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. The last eruption began in 1902 and lasted thirty years. It caused thousands of deaths in less than five minutes in the village of Saint Pierre, at the foot of Mount Pelée. Weather risks are therefore not only present during the rainy season in Martinique.
What are the worst months of the rainy season? Should we avoid them?
August :
It is the hottest month of the year, but also one of the wettest. The temperature is included between 25 and 30°C on average. It rains about 16 days of the month in August, in the form of intense downpours. However, we notice that it is a month when hotel reservations are very important. This, in particular thanks to the biggest sporting event of the year: the tour of the skiffs (sailing) which takes place at the beginning of August.
September :
The month of September is also located during the hurricane season. It has a hot climate with a lot of humidity in the air. This sometimes makes traveling difficult to bear. The average temperature is very high. Also, rainfall can reach 200 mm over 10 days, making it one of the rainiest months.
October :
Among the 3 months to avoid, the month of October is the one that tourists want to escape at all costs. It is nicknamed the “hurricane month” because it is said to be the one when the hurricane risk is at its height. That said, in its defense, Hurricane Dean hit Martinique in August, Hurricane Lenny in November and Hugo in September…
The month of October, on the other hand, is certainly the one which has the highest rate of precipitation, but not the most rainy days. There are 9 on average. The showers are violent and the disruptions linked to its rains must necessarily be considered for a trip.
Should we necessarily avoid them?
In the end, these three months experience severe disruptions and a significant risk of cyclones. The heat is sometimes stifling…
But the risk of rain is not one that will necessarily spoil your stay. It is rather the consequences of weather disturbances which make the months of August to October a period to avoid for a trip to Martinique.
If you want to go hiking, the trails will not always be passable. Likewise, beaches can lose their charm with the wind and swell. Another point to take into account is that you will sometimes have difficulty tanning, with generally more overcast weather. Finallyobservation of marine fauna will be possible, but outings can sometimes be canceled due to bad weather.
SO ? Is it possible to travel to Martinique during the rainy season?
Traveler feedback and various studies show that traveling during the rainy season in Martinique does not prevent you from having a great experience. As in any trip, the weather is not a sure bet. You will need a little luck, whether during the dry or wet season. This is why it is good to do not rely exclusively on this data to plan your stay.
To summarize, it is completely possible to travel between April and early August in Martinique. Although showers are common during this time, they do not last very long. Just bring waterproof shoes and rain gear.
Finally you saw it, August, September and October are months to avoid. But this does not mean that there is a cyclone every year or that the rains will last for a whole week without you being able to leave your hotel. On the other hand, certain activities may be more limited which could hinder your discovery of the island. Also, the risk of cyclone exists, you will have to keep it in mind. But this does not mean that the locals live cloistered in their homes during these three months. So why not try your luck?
Now that you have all this information in your possession, it's up to you to tell us which period you have chosen for your trip to the island of flowers. Have you ever experienced the rainy season in Martinique? What feedback can you give on this period?
