Climates and Hurricanes

The climate in Dominica is tropical and wet with very distinguished warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. It's climate is moderated by northeast trade winds. These trade winds temper the excessive heat and humidity by its steady flow. The steep interior slopes on this mountainous, rugged island also alter the temperatures and winds. Although many factors influence the temperature, the ranges are very slight. The average temperatures range from 78.8°F (January) to 89.6°F (June).

Another stormy day on the coast of Dominica, featuring a few different types of clouds:  Altostratus, Nimbostratus, and Stratocumulus clouds.

Most of the island's water supply is brought in by the trade winds. The humidity readings are tied to the rainfall patterns, and recorded to be between seventy and ninety percent. Hurricanes periodically develop from the severe trade winds, rainfall, humidity, and heat. Dominica is especially vulnerable to hurricanes because it is located in the hurricane region of the Caribbean. 

Hurricane Allen was the most recent and devastating hurricane to hit Dominica, in August 1980. Many agricultural commodities were destroyed. (http://www.class.noaa.gov/) 

Map conveying annual precipitation on the island (http://www.junglebaydominica.com/images/rainfallmap1.gif)


Sources: (http://www.thedominican.net/about/dominica.htm), (http://www.in-west-indies.com/dominica/discover/geography.htm), (http://www.dominica-weekly.com)