Weather

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The great weather in the Cayman Islands is one reason that so many people visit us each year. While our summers can be hot and rainy, our winters are perfect for those looking to escape the cold weather up north. Winter temperatures range from the mid-70s to the low 80s with low humidity making for very pleasant conditions. There is very little rain in the winter months, so it’s beach weather just about every day. The temperature of the water surrounding the islands is usually above 80°F year-round.

The weather can turn mildly chilly if a cold front in the US dips far enough south, bringing us a winter storm or Nor’wester. These are usually accompanied by some rain on the leading edge and rough seas which may last for a few days. Occasionally we can see brief temperature dips as low as the mid-50s, although this is a rare occurrence. It’s more common to see temperatures dip into the upper 60s during January and February, although this itself is also rare.

The rainy season runs from May to November and thunderstorms are very common during those months. Local rain builds over the Grand Cayman’s central mangroves due to evaporation and is deposited over the George Town and Seven Mile Beach areas. Regional rains, usually in the form of tropical waves, tend to drench the entire island. The driest months are March and April with September and October being the wettest.

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We couldn’t talk about the weather without a reference to hurricanes, as the Cayman Islands are situated in one of the tracks historically favoured by hurricanes in this part of the world. We are most susceptible to storms during the months of September, October and November, at least that is when the worst hurricanes have generally hit. Notable hurricanes affecting the Cayman Islands in the past 80 years are:

  • Unnamed – November 1932 – Devastated Cayman Brac and Little Cayman
  • Unnamed – August 1944 – Badly damaged Grand Cayman’s south coast
  • Allen – August 1980 – Seriously damaged Cayman Brac and Little Cayman
  • Gilbert – September 1988 – Moderate damage on Grand Cayman
  • Mitch – October 1998 – Serious coastal damage on Grand Cayman’s western shoreline
  • Michelle – November 2001 – Serious coastal damage on Grand Cayman’s western shoreline
  • Ivan – September 2004 – Devastated Grand Cayman
  • Paloma – November 2008 – Heavily damaged Cayman Brac and Little Cayman

Anyone who was living in the Cayman Islands during Hurricane Ivan should be considered seasoned hurricane survivors and most residents generally have a high level of awareness and preparedness. The National Hurricane Committee has a comprehensive plan for dealing with hurricanes and the safety and security of visitors to our islands is accounted for. You may also download a copy of the CaymanPrepared hurricane preparedness document by >clicking this link<.

Here are a few Cayman Islands and Caribbean weather related links:

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