St. Maarten Hurricanes, Climate and Average Weather

Orient Beach; © St. Maarten Tourism Bureau
By Scott Bateman
St. Maarten weather is about what anyone would expect from an exotic Caribbean island -- warm, sunny and perfect for swimming and suntanning.

People who haven't been to St. Maarten before should know that this southeastern Caribbean destination is a popular stop for cruise ships in part because of Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island and one of the best shopping and dining cities in the Caribbean.

It also has some well-known beaches and easy access to several smaller and popular nearby islands, such as Anguilla and St. Barth.

Average Temperatures

Temperatures in St. Maarten are remarkably consistent with an average monthly high ranging from 83 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 89 degrees in July through September, according to historical records over a 30-year period.

The average low temperatures, which take place mainly in the depths of night, range from 74 degrees in January through March to 79 degrees from June through September.

In other words, there is no bad month for going to St. Maarten where temperatures are concerned.

Average Rainfall

St. Maarten Climate Chart
MonthJFMAMJJASONDAvg
Avg Max Temp83848586878889898988868587
Avg Min Temp74747475777979797978777577
Rain (inches)3223423454643
The story is much different for rain thanks to the annual Caribbean hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Total rainfall is about two to three inches per month from January through July, except for a brief spike to four inches in May.

Rainfall climbs to four inches again in August and hits five inches in September, drops back to four in October and reaches the high point of the year of six inches in November.

Best Times to Go

The best times to go to St. Maarten based on the risk of rain are January through July. August and December are the next best times with a slightly higher chance of rain.

Anyone thinking of going from September through November will risk of much higher chance of heavy rains, tropical storms and, on rare occasion, the possibility that a hurricane will pass nearby.

The higher risk of rain in the fall doesn't stop some people who shop for bargain prices.

Then again, some people go in the fall because they don't know the higher odds of bad weather.

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