Climate - seasons on Saint Martin : Practical information

Practical Information for Saint Martin: Climate - seasons

Seasons

There are two seasons, though three tourist seasons on Saint Martin. High season is between December and the end of April, with soaring prices and great crowds of tourists. From May to the end of November, Europeans tend to go elsewhere, as the weather is fine back home and travel possibilities are numerous. Summer months (July and August) are a sort of intermediate season, as Martinique and Guadeloupe residents often take advantage of the good weather to visit the mainland. Prices and tourist services, as well as airplane tickets tend to be rather pricy, or even extremely expensive at this period, so be sure to book in advance to avoid paying double.

Climate

Everyday temperatures in Saint Martin vary around an average of 25° 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. Saint Martin’s tropical climate is quite a lot dryer than that of Martinique and Guadeloupe, due to the island’s rather flat nature. Water supplies are sometimes low, and it is extremely important to follow regulations on this point. There are two distinct seasons: 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 time of year. 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.