Puerto Plata Climate

The majority of the Dominican Republic enjoys beautiful tropical weather all year round, with the average annual temperature of around 25C (77F). Warm and sunny conditions are experienced pretty much everywhere in the country. There are slight variations between the summer and winter months. The winter season runs from November to April. The humidity is lower during these months and it tends to cool down in the evenings much more than in the summer months. The coastal regions generally experience highs of around 28C (83F) during the day and lows of about 20C (68F) in the evening. The mountainous interior of the country is considerably cooler, and on the highest mountain peaks the temperature can sometimes drop below freezing. Occasionally frost can even be seen on the top of these mountains. The summer season runs from May to October. Average daily highs for the coastal regions rise to around 31C (87F) during the day, dropping to about 22C (72F) at night. It is the higher humidity during these months that can make it feel much hotter during this season.

The northern areas tend to see the greatest amount of rainfall, usually between October and April. The southern areas of the Dominican Republic experience their greatest rainfall between May and November. Torrential downpours occur in all areas of the Dominican Republic but the majority of this type of rainfall occurs in short bursts. Most showers are soon over and the sun will be shining again within a half hour. Visitors to the Dominican Republic can generally expect long periods of sunshine and blue skies, at any time of the year.

The Dominican Republic, like most of the Caribbean, is located in an area where hurricanes can occur. Officially, the Caribbean hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November. Most hurricane activity in the Dominican Republic has taken place in the months of August and September. The Dominican Republic was last affected by Hurricane Fay in August 2008 when the area was hit by 40 mile an hour winds while the hurricane moved west. The average time between direct hurricane hits (within 40 miles) is 23 years.

The country sits on top of small plates that are sandwiched between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates and is therefore at risk from earthquakes. The Hispaniola Trench parallels the north coast is 550 kilometers (344 miles) long and only 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) deep. The island faces a double risk: an earthquake from the Septentrional fault on the island itself as the plates move past each other, and an earthquake deep in the earth in the subduction zone on which the island sits. Both could cause severe damage and loss of life, although the researchers say an earthquake in the subduction zone could be more devastating and it could cause a tsunami. The most recent major earthquake, a magnitude 8.1 in 1946, resulted in a tsunami that killed a reported 1,600 people.

David G Weaver, is a long time Caribbean holiday goer and wants to share his experience with you. For more information visit http://www.puerto-plata-resort.co.uk/

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