Climate and monthly weather forecast
Maldives

The Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am), with hot and humid conditions throughout the year. The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, approximately 250 miles southwest of India and Sri Lanka. The tropical paradise is typically rainy over the year, with abundant sunlight amid running clouds and turquoise waters. Diurnal temperature differences are minimal irrespective of the season. The southwest monsoon, equatorial location of the islands, proximity to the vast landmass of the Indian subcontinent, and the engulfment by the vast Indian Ocean are the main factors that influence the climate of the country.

The Maldives consists of more than 1192 coral islands in 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago stretches 544 miles in the north-south direction between latitudes 1°N and 8°S and longitudes 72°E and 74°E. The Maldives is the world's most dispersed country and has the lowest elevation among all nations. The total area is over 35,000 square miles, out of which only 115 square miles is dry land. The average elevation is just 1.5 meters above sea level, and the highest natural point lies only 2.4 meters above sea level. The country has a natural composition of live coral reefs and sand bars, which sits on top of a vast underwater 600-mile submarine ridge. The atolls in the archipelago generally consist of a ring-shaped coral reef that engulfs numerous small islands less than 1 square mile in area. There are no hills in the flat landscape, but dunes can reach a height of 2.4 meters. Lakes and marshes exist on the islands, but there are no rivers. Gan is the largest island in the Laamu Atoll, with a length of only 5 miles.

The best time to visit the Maldives is from December to April, with comfortable temperatures and relatively fewer rainy days. Torrential rainfall is unheard, and 24-hour precipitation is short of 25mm (0.98"), even on the wettest day. The winter is usually warm and sunny in the northern half, with at least 8 hours of daily sunshine. Humidity levels are tolerable, the skies are blue, and the waters are calm. Nights are cozy, with temperatures above 25°C (77°F). The end of the cyclone season instills calmness in the atmosphere, and the conditions are pleasant. The southern half receives more rain and afternoon thunderstorms than the northern one.

The worst time to visit the Maldives is from May to October in the wet season. May and October comprise the two maxima of the rainy season and are particularly humid, cloudy, and wet. Temperatures rarely rise above 32.2°C (90°F) but seldom drop below 25°C (77°F). Torrential rainfall and a high heat index keep the days stifling hot, and the period is uncomfortable for people foreign to tropical weather patterns. Additionally, the cyclone season falls in the wet season and brings stormy weather to the islands. The southern half is suitable for a vacation in the summer as the influence of the southwest monsoon is marginal.

Being located near the equator, the Maldives does not experience distinct spring weather as temperate regions do. However, in the months typically associated with spring in other parts of the world (March to May), the Maldives transitions from its dry season to its wet season. During this period, temperatures are relatively warm, fluctuating between 27°C (80.6°F) and 31°C (87.8°F). Rainfall begins to increase, particularly in May, marking the onset of the southwest monsoon. However, these showers are typically brief, and the sun often reappears quickly.

The Maldivian summer, extending from June to August, falls within the wet season and is characterized by hot and humid conditions. Temperature highs can reach up to 31°C (87.8°F) while lows usually do not fall below 25°C (77°F). This period receives the most rainfall, influenced by the southwest monsoon, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Despite this, the country maintains an average of seven hours of sunshine each day. It is also the peak season for tropical cyclones, mainly in August and September.

September to November, which corresponds to autumn in many regions, continues to witness high temperatures ranging from 24°C (75.2°F) to 31°C (87.8°F) in the Maldives. The southwest monsoon persists, bringing substantial rainfall, particularly in September and October. However, by late November, rainfall tends to decrease, marking a transition to the drier season. Despite the prevalent showers, the Maldives still enjoys an average of seven hours of sunshine per day during these months.

The Maldivian winter, from December to February, aligns with the country's dry season, offering warm and sunny conditions. The northeast monsoon dominates this period, resulting in less rainfall and clearer skies. Average daytime temperatures can peak at 31°C (87.8°F), with nighttime lows hovering at 24°C (75.2°F). The average wind speed ranges from 8km/h (5mph) to 24km/h (14.9mph), offering cooling breezes throughout the season. December marks the beginning of the best time to visit the Maldives, offering calmer, sunny weather and temperate sea conditions.

January in the Maldives presents itself as a month of pleasant weather. Falling within the dry season, the country experiences significantly less rainfall compared to the preceding months, marking it as one of the driest months of the year. Weather in January »

As the Maldives enters February, the archipelago continues to bask in the warmth of the dry season. This month witnesses similar weather conditions to January, with dry and sunny days being the primary characteristics. Throughout the nation, including the popular tourist destinations of Male and Addu City, the average temperatures range from 26°C (78.8°F) to 30°C (86°F), creating an inviting atmosphere for beach-goers and divers. Although February is a part of the dry season, slight variations in rainfall amounts can be observed between the northern and southern parts of the country. Weather in February »

March in the Maldives signals a gradual transition from the dry season towards the wet season. Although this month remains a part of the northeast monsoon, slight changes in weather patterns are evident. The average temperature ranges from 26°C (78.8°F) to 31°C (87.8°F), showing a slight upward trend compared to February. Weather in March »

In April, the Maldives witnesses a distinct shift from the predominantly dry climate of the preceding months towards the onset of the wet season. This month is characterized by an increase in both temperature and rainfall. Average temperatures escalate to fall between 27°C (80.6°F) and 31°C (87.8°F), making April one of the warmest months of the year. Weather in April »

As the Maldives moves into May, the southwest monsoon or wet season fully sets in, bringing with it an increase in rainfall and humidity. This month sees an average temperature range from 28°C (82.4°F) to 30°C (86°F), maintaining the warmth carried over from April. Weather in May »

June marks the continuation of the southwest monsoon, or the wet season, in the Maldives. During this month, the weather features frequent rainfall along with high temperatures. The average temperatures remain stable, ranging from 27°C (80.6°F) to 30°C (86°F), which is similar to the preceding months. Weather in June »

July in the Maldives continues the pattern of the southwest monsoon, characterized by frequent rainfall and relatively high temperatures. The average temperatures during this month typically range from 27°C (80.6°F) to 30°C (86°F), in line with the preceding months. Weather in July »

August in the Maldives witnesses the climax of the southwest monsoon, resulting in the most rainfall throughout the year. Despite the high precipitation, average temperatures remain relatively stable, fluctuating between 27°C (80.6°F) and 30°C (86°F). Weather in August »

September in the Maldives marks the continuation of the wet season, with the influence of the southwest monsoon still strongly felt across the country. However, it signals the beginning of the transition towards the dry season. Weather in September »

October in the Maldives signifies the latter stages of the wet season, characterized by decreasing rainfall as the country transitions towards the drier months. Temperatures during October remain stable, typically ranging from 27°C (80.6°F) to 30°C (86°F), a trend that prevails across the nation, including prominent cities such as Male and Addu City. The influence of the southwest monsoon starts to wane during October, leading to reduced rainfall, particularly in the northern atolls. Weather in October »

The month of November in the Maldives marks the onset of the dry season. The influence of the northeast monsoon gradually takes hold, reducing rainfall across the archipelago. During November, average temperatures remain consistent, typically fluctuating between 27°C (80.6°F) and 30°C (86°F), a pattern that is uniformly observed across the country, including in main cities like Male and Addu City. As the northeast monsoon strengthens, the amount of rainfall begins to decline, especially in the northern atolls, signalling the end of the wet season. Weather in November »

December in the Maldives sees the dry season firmly established with the influence of the northeast monsoon shaping the climate of the archipelago. Throughout this month, temperatures remain fairly consistent, typically ranging from 27°C (80.6°F) to 30°C (86°F). Weather in December »