Today's weather for Bridgetown, Barbados4th Jul 2009 10:00

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Weather Overview for Bridgetown

Bridgetown is the largest city and capital of the popular holiday destination of Barbados. Bridgetown shares the tropical climate of the Caribbean islands, receiving year-round heat, a wet and a dry season.The shelter afforded the west coast by the central mountains does not save it from hurricanes. The Caribbean islands are all susceptible to these tropical cyclones between June and November, as they sit within the Atlantic hurricane belt.

Year round Bridgetown has days and days of glorious weather. Bridgetown is reliably hot with almost no variation in temperature. It hovers just below 30°C in the peak of the day and sidles down to the mid 20s at night. Seasons are defined by rainfall and humidity.

The dry season, from December till May, can still see some rain but is, for the most part, dry and sunny. Rain falls in short storms that quickly give way to clear skies. The average high temperature stays around 28°C which is kept bearable by relatively low humidity. February and March are the driest months with the lowest humidity. The sun stays out for around eight or nine hours a day. As paradisiacal weather graces paradisiacal shores, the tourists flood in. This is tourist high season; prices go up and the beaches get crowded. January and February are the most popular months; crowds tend to thin out a bit a week or so after the New Year celebrations.

The wet season, from June till November, coincides with the hurricane season, and as such is much less popular with tourists. Rainfall increases steadily to a peak in October, falling on most days in heavy storms. Rainfall is generally restricted to short downpours, sometimes causing flash flooding, that still allow for around eight hours of sunshine per day. Adding to the negative side of this season is the slightly higher temperature, at an average high of 29°C, made to feel worse by increased humidity levels. And then there’s the risk of hurricanes, which increases as the season progresses, peaking in August and September. Hotel staff and locals are very well-informed and generally know how to keep you safe in the event of one of these violent storms, but they still don’t make for a great holiday. However, the likelihood of being hit by a hurricane is actually very low. It is best to avoid the peak months as even if there isn’t a direct hit, violent storms are quite usual, but in the early months of the wet season, June and July, good deals and plenty of sunshine are to be found.

Barbados is one of a string of volcanic islands called the Lesser Antilles. These curl up from the northern coast of Venezuela and round the start of the Greater Antilles which are made up of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, on which sit the countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba. Bridgetown sits on the west coast of Barbados, on the leeward side of the island, facing the Caribbean Sea. The islands sit in the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean to their east. This puts them in the Gulf Stream but also the Atlantic hurricane belt. Sitting on the west coast means that Bridgetown is protected from the northeast trade winds coming in from the Atlantic, and as such receives warmer temperatures, less wind and rain and calmer seas than locations on the north and east coasts. As a result of the west-side benefits, the west coast of Barbados is home to many luxury five star beach resorts which has earned it the nickname of the ‘Platinum Coast.’

The city benefits from a hybrid of laid-back island life and modern city-living. The beautiful Caribbean Sea is warm regardless of what time of the year you visit so if water sports are you thing, you’re sure to find something to tickle your fancy.

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