Today's weather for Tulum, Mexico24th Nov 2009 02:43

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Weather Overview for Tulum

Tulum enjoys a tropical climate. High temperatures and high humidity can be expected year round with some seasonal variation. Rainfall can be expected at any time of year and is considerably increased in the wet season. While hurricanes are unlikely the resort is still in a position of relatively high risk. Hurricane season lasts from June till November, peaking in August and September. Tulum receives similar weather conditions to the other Caribbean resorts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, such as Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.

The dry season, from November till May, is still moist and hot though rainfall, heat and humidity are reduced. The average high temperature drops to 28°C in November and to 27°C for December, January and February before creeping back up to 28°C again in March and 29°C in April. Night times are still hot, around 21°C.  It is slightly cooler than the wet season and, combined with lower humidity, generally much more pleasant. A cooling breeze often blows in from the sea. Rain can never be ruled out but is much less frequent in the dry season. It falls in short, torrential storms characteristic of the tropics but usually clears up quickly and brings with it cooler temperatures. Rainfall is slightly higher around the wet season and is at its lowest in March. It can sometimes be hazy or overcast; the sun comes out for around six hours per day until February when the sky is clearer more regularly. February sees around seven hours per day while March receives eight. February and March are probably the best months to go in terms of weather, though any time in the dry season is preferable to the wet season.

The wet season, from June till October, is very hot and, unsurprisingly, quite wet. It is not, however, as wet as the resorts on the west coast of Mexico, for instance Puerto Vallarta. The Yucatan Peninsula is actually very dry for a tropical region. Rainfall sees two peaks: one in June, the other in September and October, and a slight lull in the intermediate months of July and August. It rains frequently, around twelve days each month, in heavy downpours which are often violent thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding but the lush rainforest provides natural protection from serious floods. Storms are usually short lived but can last for days in extreme cases. Hurricane season falls in the wet season and storms become more and more violent as the peak of hurricane season approaches. High winds can cause superficial damage and if conditions worsen, turning into a hurricane, it can be very dangerous. Luckily these cyclones are slow moving and quite easy to predict. Any travel to the area should be preceded by a check on hurricane activity. Despite all this talk of rain and storms the sun still manages to come out for around seven hours per day, due to the speed with which the sky clears after rain. The heat and humidity does become quite oppressive; the average high temperature climbs into the low 30s for the whole season with a peak of 32°C in August.

Tulum benefits from its flat topography which is not conducive to rainfall. Moist east winds do not linger long over the Yucatan Peninsula and so drop little rain. As a result the only reason to avoid Tulum in the wet season is the heat and humidity; storms are balanced out with sunshine and can actually lend your visit some drama. Tulum is most visited for its spectacular Mayan ruins. Its beach is unspoilt but it does not have great snorkelling.

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