Saint Martin is an island with a tropical climate. The weather remains constant throughout the year and is warm and sunny with a daily average temperature of 77 F (25 C). Both the French and Dutch sides of the island receive an average of 40 inches (1,000 millimeters) of rainfall per year.
Table of Contents
- Does Sint Maarten have four seasons?
- What is the type of climate in Sint Maarten?
- What is Sint Maarten vegetation like?
- How much does it rain in Sint Maarten?
- What are the highest temperatures in Sint Maarten?
- What are the lowest temperatures in Sint Maarten?
- What are the average (water) temperatures and rainfall in Sint Maarten?
- Does St. Maarten have hurricanes?
- What is the best time to visit Sint Maarten?
Does Sint Maarten have four seasons?
No, Saint Martin does not have four distinct seasons. With the steady temperatures that remain throughout the year on Saint Martin, only two distinct seasons are recognized on the island; the wet season and the dry season.
What are the seasons in Sint Maarten?
The two seasons that occur on the island of Saint Martin are listed below.
- The wet season: This season occurs between the months of May-November. Temperatures during this season usually remain quite high throughout the day at around 82 F (28 C). There is usually more rainfall during this season, however, the rainstorms pass by very quickly.
- The dry season: This season occurs between the months of December-April. The weather during this season is cooler during the mornings and evenings, but the temperature doesn’t usually drop below 68 F (20 C). This is usually the time when most tourists decide to travel to Saint Martin.
What is the type of climate in Sint Maarten?
Saint Martin is located in the northern hemisphere between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. The location of Saint Martin results in the island having a tropical climate. The average temperature of a tropical climate is above 64 F (18 C). A tropical climate typically consists of high temperatures throughout the year and a high level of humidity and precipitation.
What is Sint Maarten vegetation like?
Saint Martin is an island with abundant and varying vegetation. The climate on the island is relatively dry. Along the western coastline, the vegetation consists mainly of dry forests such as cactuses and brush. The east coast of Saint Martin has more frequent rain showers than the west coast which results in vegetation that is lusher and greener. The diversity of the vegetation contributes to the overall beauty of Saint Martin.
What fruits grow in Sint Maarten?
The fruits that grow in Sint Maarten are listed below.
- Sea Grape
- Sugar Apple
- Guava
- Guavaberry
- Soursop
- Coco Plum
- Mango
- Banana
- Ginips
- Coconuts
The fruits that are natives of the island of Saint Martin are sugar apples, sea grapes, coco plums, soursop, guava, and guavaberry. These fruits naturally grow near the sea or in valleys with rich soil.
Other fruits like the mango, banana, ginips, and coconuts are non-native fruits that now grow on the island. A local favorite fruit that is famous on the island of Saint Martin is the guavaberry fruit. Guavaberry is a local favorite and is used in many different dishes and ways in St. Maarten.
What vegetables grow in Sint Maarten?
Vegetables are not usually grown on the island of Saint Martin. The vegetables that are available on the island are usually imported from other nearby islands or the US. Some of the most popular vegetables that are available in Saint Martin are listed below.
- Callaloo
- Kale
- Bell peppers
- Ginger
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Cassava
Some non-native local favorites are callaloo and cassava; these vegetables are often used in many authentic local dishes in Saint Martin.
How much does it rain in Sint Maarten?
The average amount of rainfall in Saint Martin is around 40 inches (1000 millimeters) per year.
What is the wettest month in Sint Maarten?
September is the wettest month in St. Maarten. The island receives an average of 4.7 inches (120 millimeters) of rain during this month. Other months with heavy rainfall in Sint Maarten are listed below.
- August: The average amount of rainfall during this month is 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
- October: The average amount of rainfall during this month is 3.9 in (9.9 cm).
- November: The average amount of rainfall during this month is 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
What is the least rainy month in Sint Maarten?
March is the least rainy month throughout the year in Saint Martin. The island receives an average of 1.8 inches of rain (45 millimeters) per year during this month. Other months with little rainfall in Sint Maarten are listed below.
- January: The average amount of rainfall during this month is 3 in (7.6 cm).
- February: The average amount of rainfall during this month is 2 in (5 cm).
- April: The average amount of rainfall during this month is 3.1 in (7.8 cm).
What are the highest temperatures in Sint Maarten?
The highest temperature that occurs in Saint Martin is 88 F (31 C). This temperature usually occurs during July and August.
What are the lowest temperatures in Sint Maarten?
The lowest temperature that occurs in Saint Martin is 68 F (20 C). These temperatures usually occur at night during January and February.
What are the average (water) temperatures and rainfall in Sint Maarten?
The average temperatures for each month in Saint Martin are listed below.
- January – 77 F (25 C)
- February – 76 F (24.5 C)
- March – 77.9 F (25.5 C)
- April – 77.9 F (25.5 C)
- May – 79.7 F (26.5 C)
- June – 81.5 F (27.5 C)
- July – 81.5 F (27.5 C)
- August – 82.4 F (28 C)
- September – 83.3 F (28.5 C)
- October – 81.5 F (27.5 C)
- November – 79.7 F (26.5 C)
- December – 77.9 F (25.5 C)
The average water temperatures for each month in Sint Maarten are listed below.
- January – 77 F (25 C)
- February – 77 F (25 C)
- March – 77 F (25 C)
- April – 77 F (25 C)
- May – 78.8 F (26 C)
- June – 80.6 F (27 C)
- July – 82.4 F (28 C)
- August – 82.4 F (28 C)
- September – 82.4 F (28 C)
- October – 82.4 F (28 C)
- November – 82.4 F (28 C)
- December – 80.6 F (27 C)
The average rainfall for each month in St. Maarten are listed below.
- January – 3 in (7.6 cm)
- February – 2 in ( 5 cm)
- March – 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
- April – 3.1 in (7.8 cm)
- May – 3.9 in (9.9 cm)
- June – 2.8 in (7.1 cm)
- July – 3.3 in (8.3 cm)
- August – 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
- September – 4.7 in (11.9 cm)
- October – 3.9 in (9.9 cm)
- November – 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
- December – 3.5 in (8.8 cm)
Does St. Maarten have hurricanes?
Yes, there have been several hurricanes in Sint Maarten. Hurricanes commonly occur on the island of Saint Martin from June to November. The island has been majorly affected by hurricanes in the past. Some hurricanes that have affected Saint Martin are hurricane Luis in 1995, and hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
When was the last hurricane in St. Maarten?
The last hurricane in Saint Martin was hurricane Irma on September 6th, 2017. Hurricane Irma was one of the most powerful storms that struck Saint Martin in the century.
This category 5 hurricane was devastating to the island, killing 8 people, leaving 23 people injured, and displacing 7000 people. It was also very damaging to the economy, which is tourism-based. Hurricane Irma destroyed many buildings on the island such as homes, restaurants, hotels, and damaged Princess Juliana airport.
After Hurricane Irma, the island of Saint Martin has made remarkable progress rebuilding the island and the economy, so much so that there was a 5% growth in the GDP of Saint Martin by 2019. More growth is anticipated due to recent investments and reconstruction efforts made by the Netherlands.
What other weather events occur on the island of St. Maarten?
Another significant weather event that occurs on the island of Saint Martin are trade winds. These winds blow in from the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern side of the island and provide fresh air to the island as well as maintain a comfortable temperature. Trade winds are not harmful to the island and usually occur between November and April.
What is the best time to visit Sint Maarten?
The best time to visit Saint Martin is between December and April. Travelers looking to avoid hurricane season will find this to be the best time to visit the island. Within this time frame, the months that are especially good to travel to Saint Martin are February and March, because these are the least rainy throughout the year.
For those looking to travel to Saint Martin during the summer when the weather is the warmest, the best months to visit are June and July. During these months the temperature increases but there is not as much rain as in August and September and there is a lower risk of hurricanes.