Climate of Barbados

Climate of Barbados

Where is the country of Barbados located? The island state of Barbados is a popular holiday destination in the Caribbean, which is mainly due to the beautiful beaches in combination with a tropical climate. Especially along the south and west coasts of Barbados you will find enchanting beaches and beautiful resorts for a great holiday. According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, Barbados has a tropical monsoon climate (type Am), with a wet season (rainy season or monsoon) and a dry season. The rainy season in Barbados lasts from June to December. About eighty percent of all precipitation recorded within a year falls during this period.

Temperatures

The maximum temperature is between 27 and 32 degrees all year round, with the differences being mainly determined by the location on the island and the time of year. For example, the days around the turn of the year are usually the “coolest”, with an average maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, in the summer months it is a few degrees warmer with an average of 31 degrees. The northeast trade winds ensure that there is almost always wind on the rougher northeast coast of Barbados; on the popular southwestern coastal areas, the noticeable cooling effect of sea breezes is quite small. Yet the seawater ensures that the limit of 35 degrees Celsius is rarely exceeded. The highest temperatures are measured inland, as is the lowest minimum temperature, which can dip just below the 20-degree limit inland.

Wind

The wind in Barbados is almost continuously brought from the northeast by the northeast trade. During hurricane season (July to December), Barbados is prone to tropical depressions and storms. Somehow, however, the country is fortunate that the real hurricanes almost always follow a path that spares Barbados the misery. Barbados is therefore only really hit by a hurricane a few times a century. During the hurricane season you have to take into account an increased chance of one or more days of cloudy and unpredictable weather.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 28℃ 21℃ 9 17 27℃
February 29℃ 21℃ 9 12 26℃
March 30℃ 21℃ 8 12 26℃
April 30℃ 22℃ 9 11 27℃
May 31℃ 23℃ 9 14 28℃
June 31℃ 24℃ 8 18 28℃
July 30℃ 23℃ 8 20 28℃
August 31℃ 23℃ 8 18 28℃
September 30℃ 23℃ 8 17 29℃
October 30℃ 23℃ 7 16 28℃
November 30℃ 23℃ 8 17 28℃
December 29℃ 22℃ 8 18 28℃

Best time to visit Barbados

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Barbados? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. Anyone who sees photos of Barbados will be enchanted by the white palm beaches and the bright blue Caribbean Sea. That is the island of Barbados at its best: a wonderful tropical destination where the sun provides temperatures that are often around thirty degrees and a light sea breeze provides some cooling. If you are looking for these ideal travel conditions, it is best to travel to Barbados between February and April. These are the months when the sun shows up the most, clouds are often harmless and rain is rarely worse than a shower that does not last too long. These spring months are therefore the peak season in which the hotels charge the highest prices for their rooms and the airline tickets to Barbados can also be a bit more expensive due to the higher demand.

Other good months

The months of December and January also generally offer excellent weather for a beach holiday in Barbados. The chance of precipitation in these two winter sunny months is somewhat greater and the temperatures are a bit lower, which you could notice especially in the evenings. Bringing a light jacket or cardigan for the evening may be advisable if you get cold more easily. May is also another good month to travel to Barbados. What you will notice in May is that not only the temperature, but also the perceived temperature increases. This is because the relative humidity increases. That makes for a somewhat clammier atmosphere.

The low season

The low season in Barbados starts in June. The amount of rain is increasing, but especially the number of days in which significant rain falls is increasing. During this wetter season, which lasts roughly into December, the likelihood of a tropical storm increases. There may occasionally be a hurricane, but the more southerly location of Barbados within the Caribbean means that many hurricanes north of the island seek their way.

Barbados