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Climate in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has primarily a tropical maritime climate, with more diurnal and local variations in temperature than seasonal ones. In general, there are two seasons in the Dominican climate: summer and winter.

Dominican Republic climate: Temperature

The maritime climate of the Dominican Republic with its sea breezes provides comfort temperature year around. Temperatures average from 23°C in the early mornings to 32°C at noon. In general, August is the hottest month, and January and February are the coldest ones.

The lowest temperatures occur in the mountain areas near Constanza, where temperatures have dropped to 0°C, and record highs have been registered at the frontier with Haiti, 39°C in the summer.

Dominican Republic climate: average air and water temperature

  

Air temp. (Fahrenheit)

Water temp. (Fahrenheit)

Air temp. (Celsius)

Water temp. (Celsius)

Jan

80.6

78.8

27

26

Feb

80.6

78.8

27

26

Mar

82.4

80.6

28

27

Apr

84.2

80.6

29

27

May

86

82.4

30

28

Jun

86

82.4

30

28

Jul

89.6

86

32

30

Aug

89.6

86

32

30

Sep

86

82.4

30

28

Oct

82.4

80.6

28

27

Nov

82.4

80.6

28

27

Dec

82.4

78.8

28

26


Dominican Republic climate: Rainfalls

Along the northern coast, the rainy season lasts from November through January. In the rest of the country, it runs from May through November; May is the wettest month. The dry season lasts from November through April; March is the driest month. The average annual rainfall for the country as a whole is 150 centimeters. This varies, however, from region to region, and ranges from 35 centimeters in the Valle de Neiba to 274 centimeters in the Cordillera Oriental. In general, the western part of the country, including the interior valleys, receives the least rain.

Dominican Republic climate: Tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones -such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes- occur on the average of once every two years in the Dominican Republic. The season for cyclones lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November; some cyclones occur in May and December, but most take place in September and October. Hurricanes usually occur from August through October. They may produce winds greater than 200 kilometers per hour and rainfall greater than 50 centimeters in a twenty-four-hour period.

Over 65 percent of the storms strike the southern part of the country, especially along the Hoya de Enriquillo. The last major hurricanes to hit the Dominican Republic were Georges (September 1998) and David (August 1979).

Visit our Weather Page to know the current weather conditions in the Dominican Republic>>