Practical info: Climate – seasons on Guadeloupe

Practical info: Climate – seasons on Guadeloupe

Climate

Everyday temperatures in Guadeloupe vary around an average of 27° C, with a maximum of 32 ° C and only rarely descend lower than 20 ° C. Once in a while, in the months of December and January, however, temperatures can fall to under 20 ° C at night… an occasion so unusual that it hits the news every time! Eastern winds referred to as “trade winds” contribute to the moderation of the region’s tropical heat. Water temperatures vary between 20 ° C and 24 ° C on the more turbulent Atlantic coast, and around 25 ° C on the much calmer Caribbean front.

Temperatures are generally higher on the plains, on Guadeloupe’s Grande-Terre, on Saint-Maarten, Marie-Galante, Saint-Barthelemy, the Saints and Desirade, moderated by trade winds and very little rain.

In higher areas, on more mountainous islands such as Basse-Terre on Guadeloupe, temperatures can be lower and rains more often present, which accounts for the luxurious flora and fauna. The year is divided into two seasons, though it’s more appropriate to relate to different periods. The dry season, referred to as Lent (Careme) sets in between December and May, followed by a warmer and more humid winter period from July to October. Throughout our Metropolitan autumn months (from the end of October to the beginning of December), the Caribbean climate is extremely humid with high levels of precipitation: it rains every day at regular intervals, in the form of heavier and lighter showers. Temperatures are mild, though the humidity is enveloping, and the noise of heavy downpours drumming on the tin roofs gives an unforgettably monotonous and typical leitmotif to this season. June and October are transitory months when rains subside or are precisely awaited with glee. Rains and downpours may eventually cause considerable damage, not to mention the regular cyclones. Don’t forget that day dawns early in the Tropics (between 5 and 6 a.m.), and the sun consequently sets not later than in the middle of the afternoon, between 5:30 and 6:30 pm.

These phenomena also referred to by meteorologists as “hurricanes” are quite typical in the region of the Caribbean, especially in the months of July, August, September and October (though officially from the 1st of July to the 30th of November). Hurricanes have received lovely first names in baptism since 1950, in order to ensure their traceability by prevision professionals and meteorological services of concerned countries, most importantly the United States. Legend has it that the idea of naming was first put into practice by an Australian expert, who baptised hurricanes after the politicians he “admired” the most… perhaps making an allusion to the idea that cyclones cause at least as much damage as their political namesakes…

Whatever the case, hurricanes exist and ravage every single year without exception. Be it luck, or destiny that decides on the regions to be concerned in each season, the phenomenon is sure to strike at least one of the islands as a sort of natural Russian roulette. The French West Indies are touched approximately every 10 years by a serious cyclone. The hurricane cycle itself is a rather particular one: originating in Africa as a simple barometric depression, it is classified a cyclone if it meets certain criteria during its course (speed, power, etc.) As it proceeds towards the North American continent, the cards of the various islands of different geographical locations are slowly laid on the table. If at this point the cyclone executes a northward movement, it is more than likely that it will not turn towards the south again. Areas on the same latitude are thus spared in all likelihood. In certain, rather lucky cases the hurricane moves all the way up to the North Pole, sparing the whole Caribbean region, after which it tours the Northern Hemisphere, terminating in Europe in the form of a mild storm.

Contrary to common belief, the cyclone’s violent winds are not the elements to be feared the most during the storm. The wild winds are accompanied by devastating rains which wash away anything that stands in their way. Not everyone fears hurricanes in the same manner, though: the poorer you are, the more likely you are to be affected, sometimes even at the cost of your life. Fortunately, today’s technology gives considerable help to governments in organising the population to affront the phenomenon to their best possible means. In September 1995, Hurricanes Marilyn and Luis devastated Basse-Terre, Saint Maarten and Saint Barthelemy. In November 1999, Hurricane Lenny touched Saint Maarten and also considerably ravaged the leeward coast of Guadeloupe.