Today's weather for Varadero, Cuba23rd Nov 2009 22:55

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Weather Overview for Varadero

Varadero, on the eastern side of Cuba’s north coast, enjoys the mild sub-tropical climate of the area. A hot dry season is followed by a hotter wet season which is prone to hurricanes. Cuba sits in the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico to the north, and to its east the Bahamas form a barrier to the North Atlantic Ocean.

The dry winter season from November till April sees average high temperatures of around 28°C dropping to 26°C in January which is Varadero’s coldest month – not bad. The high 20s are pretty much in first place in terms of preferred temperatures: baking but not burning; scorchio but not scorching. With the reliable sea breeze blowing in from the Caribbean Sea, everybody’s happy. The dry season sees very little rain in comparison to the wet season, but is not as arid as its name suggests. On tropical islands it is never possible to rule out rain and during its dry months, Varadero still sees around six days per month on which short but heavy showers break out. The dry season is certainly the best time to visit due to the milder temperatures and vastly reduced rainfall. Storms only really perform brief and exciting cameos that could be seen to add to the brilliance of the predominating idyllic weather. Humidity levels are moderate but increase closer to the wet season. Night times are refreshingly cool and can even require an extra layer.

The wet summer season from May till October is not out of bounds by any means and in fact some of its busiest months are July and August. However, tourist should be aware that this season sees the temperatures hike up to the low 30s; the air grows thick and heavy with increased humidity and the heavens open. Despite this time of year seeing the big fat majority of Cuba’s rain, rain frequency only doubles and the sun shines for around an extra hour each day. How is this possible? It is possible because the rain falls in momentous storms. Walls of water thud to the ground, pounding the pavements which turn into quick rivers. High winds whip up the sea and thrash the palms. The immense ferocity of these storms is usually quickly exhausted; the dark clouds dissipate and the sun returns, alone in a clear clue sky. However, sometimes the rains fail, humidity mounts and the sky is overcast for long periods until the storm finally breaks. While visitors at this time of year are sure to see a lot of sunshine and will certainly experience great heat, another reason to avoid this season is the danger of hurricanes. From August till October Varadero is at greatest risk of being hit by a tropical cyclone; these you should avoid.

Varadero, Cuba’s leading resort, owes its climate to its near-equatorial position and position in the path of the cooling north-easterly trade winds. Sitting across the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico means Cuba is buffeted by conflicting winds and currents which are to be held accountable for its susceptibility to hurricanes and lesser tropical storms.

Varadero is the most heavily visited resort on Cuba.

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