Climate

The climate of Grenada is tropical: hot and humid in the rainy season and cooled by the trade winds in the dry season.

Temperatures

Temperatures averaging 29°C are constant throughout the year, with slightly higher readings in the lowlands. Nevertheless, diurnal ranges within a 24-hour period are appreciable: between 26°C and 32°C during the day and between 19°C and 24°C at night.

Rainfall

Yearly precipitation, largely generated by the warm and moisture-laden north-easterly trade winds, varies from more than 350 cm on the windward mountainsides to less than 150 cm in the lowlands. The greatest monthly totals are recorded throughout Grenada from June to November. Rainfall is less pronounced from December through May, when the equatorial low-pressure system moves south.

Similarly, the highest humidities, usually close to 80%, are recorded during the rainy months, and values from 68 to 78% are registered during the drier period.

Winds

The months when tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely to occur are during the rainy season - from June to November. However, Grenada is on the southern edge of the hurricane belt, and has suffered only 3 hurricanes in 50 years.

Hurricane Janet passed over Grenada on 23 September 1955 with winds of 115 mph, causing severe damage. The most recent storms to hit have been Hurricane Ivan on September 7, 2004 causing severe damage and 39 deaths and Hurricane Emily on July 14, 2005 causing serious damage in Carriacou and in the north of Grenada.