Puerto Plata Hurricanes, Climate and Average Weather

By Scott Bateman
Puerto Plata weather is unique for the heavy rains that hit in November and December versus the rest of the Caribbean, which usually sees the worst precipitation in the early fall.

This Dominican Republic destination on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti, is famous for its long white-sand beaches and sprawling all-inclusive resorts.

During better months, the days are warm and the rainfall is usually brief and refreshing.

Caribbean weather typically is at its worst during the annual hurricane season, which runs from June through November.

September and October have the highest number of hurricanes and tropical storms.

But Puerto Plata weather in November and December experiences the heaviest rainfall.

Average Rainfall

Rainfall averages nearly 5 inches a month throughout the year, according to the World Weather Organization.

But the average is somewhat misleading because Puerto Plata historically has only about 2 to 3 inches from June through September.

The total climbs to more than 4 inches in October and leaps to more than 9 inches in November and December.

Puerto Plata weather in January averages about 7.5 inches of rain, while February through May experience about 5 inches apiece.

The number of days each month that it rains tracks the amount of total rainfall, with about 7 to 8 rain days each month from June through September.

For the rest of the year, the number of rain days ranges from a low of 10 in March to a high of 15 in December.

Temperatures

Puerto Plata temperatures are among the warmest in the Caribbean. It is one of the few destinations with average high temperatures breaking 90 degrees Fahrenheit on a regular basis.

Those daytime highs of 90 degrees appear often from June through October.

They reach a low point in the winter when they average about 84 degrees Fahrenheit from December through March.

The average nighttime lows remain consistently in the high 60s throughout the year.

Expect seawater temperatures to run about midway between the lows and highs. Swimming may be slightly cool in the morning during the winter but get better as the day gets warmer.

Best Months to Go

Based on rainfall, Puerto Plata weather in June, July, August and September have the best combination of warm temperatures and low rain.

The weather is somewhat more risky in the late winter to spring months of February through May.

The area should be avoided at all costs from November through January.