Weather in the Virgin Islands Welcome to perpetual summer weather! The Virgin Islands does not experience significant seasonal changes, therefore weather and temperatures are fairly consistent year round. This section provides information on today's weather in the Virgin Islands, average air temperature throughout the year, average rainfall by month, water temperatures by season and information on hurricanes. Use the links below to go directly to the information you are looking for or scroll down and read it all. Today's Weather from St. Thomas5 Day ForecastUse the 'change location' link to view weather for St. John (00831), St. Croix (00824), St. Thomas (00801) Air TemperaturesJune, July and August tend to be the hottest months with temperatures in the mid 80s and December through February cooler months with high 70 degree temperatures. (Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. Averages based on data gathered from 1/12/1972 until 3/31/2004 for St. Thomas & St. John; 1/1/1972 until 12/31/2001 for St. Croix. Source: Southeast Regional Climate Center.) Average Seasonal Temperatures
The variation between the average hottest summer day and the average coolest winter day is about 18 degrees. Below is a table with average highs and lows by month. Maximum and Minimum Air Temperature by Month
While the weather person can expect to say about the same thing everyday while on the job in the Virgin Islands there are weather extremes that come along and make things interesting.
Water TemperaturesWater temperatures in the Virgin Islands do not change greatly from summer to winter, however the 4 or 5 degree change is noticeable to those acclimated to consistently warm tropical weather. In the summer months the water temperature is about 83 degrees and in the winter about 79 degrees. RainfallThe Virgin Islands does not have a rainy season, however there are month to month differences. The rainiest months in the Virgin Islands are November, October, September, August and May. Average and Record Rainfall by Month in Inches
Rainy months does not mean that there is continuous rainfall every day all month long, in fact most daily rainfall reports are below .10 inches. Rain showers are often short and typically occur early in the morning or at night. On a truly rainy day, it will rain off and on for the entire day. All day downpours over numerous days are not common. The driest months are typically February and March. Average Annual Rainfall
As mentioned being inundated with rain is not common, but it does happen. In November 2003 the islands experienced record breaking rainfall. St. Thomas experienced 18.39 inches of rain and St. John 18.91 inches. St. Croix's highest rainfall was in September 1979 with an amazing 21.39 inches. Droughts are a larger problem because the islands are dependent on rain as a source of water. HurricanesOne of the greatest natural threats in the Virgin Islands is hurricanes. A hurricane is a generic name given to a wind system that forms in a spiral shape. It circulates around a central point called the eye. Hurricanes can be considered a tropical cyclone. The storms are classified according to formation stage; tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th with the highest occurrences of storms in August and September. (The table below indicates tropical storm and hurricane activity which occurred within two degrees of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico from 1819 to 2001. Source: NOAA) Storm Activity from 1819-2001
During hurricanes residents secure personal belongings and homes and wait out the winds and rain. Hurricane development is monitored therefore watches and warnings are given several days in advance. The last major hurricane that affected the islands was Hurricane Marilyn in September 1995. Previously there was Hurricane Hugo in September 1989. There have been smaller hurricanes that have impacted the USVI like Hurricane Georges in September 1998 and Hurricane Lenny in November 1999, but none as severe in recent years as Marilyn and Hugo. |  Sponsor
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The
hottest temperature recorded between 1972 and 2004 was 99 degrees.
This sweltering heat was experienced in August 1979, July 1988 and
June 1996.
