The climate of Puerto Plata
Falling under the Koppen climate classification 'Af',
Puerto Plata, in the
Dominican Republic, is characterized by a tropical rainforest climate. A coastal city, Puerto Plata boasts consistent weather patterns throughout the year. Temperatures barely fluctuate, averaging a warmth of around 28.9°C (84°F) to 32.7°C (90.9°F). A simultaneous trend runs parallel with the minimal temperatures, which hover between 17.3°C (63.1°F) and 21.1°C (70°F). The steadiness of these figures represents the region's geographical position in the northern hemisphere, and the effect the Caribbean Sea has on the climate.
On another note, the annual evolution of rainfall depicts a characteristic pattern. The yearly precipitation hovers around 175mm (6.89") to 232mm (9.13"), occurring fairly evenly across all months. More than half the year dwells on the upper end of this spectrum, most notably from
November to
January, reaching its peak in
December. Sea temperatures engagingly follow a gentle curve, warming up from a cool 25.8°C (78.4°F) in
February to a warm 29.3°C (84.7°F) in
September. Daylight hours and sunshine hours make up between 11-13.3 hours and 6-8 hours of the day, respectively. Peak ultra-violet exposure is recorded uniformly across
May to
August.
The tropical climate and coastal location lead to a rich diversity of weather patterns throughout the year. Temperatures are generally warm and consistent, due to the influence of the Caribbean Sea. Rainfall peaks in the closing months of the year, signaling a tropical end to the Puerto Plata year.
The best time to visit Puerto Plata
For the perfect sun-soaked vacation to
Puerto Plata, the months of
June to
September prove ideal. In this window, daylight lasts longer, with up to 13.3 hours per day. The sea temperature rises to between 27.9°C (82.2°F) to 29.3°C (84.7°F), and rainfall gradually wanes from 129mm (5.08") in
May to a mere 64mm (2.52") in September. The number of drenched days dwindles down to 7. Additionally, the mean temperatures remain relatively warm, ranging from 31.2°C (88.2°F) to 32.7°C (90.9°F) during the day and between 20°C (68°F) to 21.1°C (70°F) at night.
The worst time to visit Puerto Plata
If avoiding crowds and rainfall is a major consideration, it might be best to steer clear of
Puerto Plata during the cooler months between
November and
January. This period notes the heaviest rainfall, with November and
December recording 229mm (9.02") and 232mm (9.13"), respectively. Concurrently, the city experiences a 14-15 day period of rain. Temperatures also dip in this range, shifting to a cooler 29.1°C (84.4°F) to 30.6°C (87.1°F) during the day; and night temperatures drop to between 18.1°C (64.6°F) to 19.1°C (66.4°F).
Spring weather in Puerto Plata
The spring months make up the warming process in
Puerto Plata.
March ushers in the trend with temperatures of 29.4°C (84.9°F) during the day and 17.8°C (64°F) at night. By mid-
May, the average daytime temperatures rise to 31.2°C (88.2°F), while nights warm up to 20°C (68°F). Sunshine lasts for about 7 hours, with daylight pushing up to about 13.1 hours. While still relatively high, rain measures around 129mm (5.08") in March, dropping to 115mm (4.53") in
April.
Summer weather in Puerto Plata
Summer, spanning from
June until
August, welcomes the peak warmth period of
Puerto Plata. Daily temperatures rise modestly up to 32.3°C (90.1°F) in June to 32.7°C (90.9°F) in
July, while nighttime temperature ranges between 20°C (68°F) to 21.1°C (70°F). Sea temperatures rise steadily from 27.9°C (82.2°F) in June to 29.1°C (84.4°F) in August. Rain relieves the parched region with measures between 51mm (2.01") to 70mm (2.76"), plummeting drastically from
May's 129mm (5.08").
Autumn weather in Puerto Plata
Autumn introduces sizeable changes to the weather in
Puerto Plata. With a decline from
September's 32.7°C (90.9°F),
October sees an average high of 32.3°C (90.1°F) in the day and a bearable 20.1°C (68.2°F) at night. Rainfall presents a brief lull with 64mm (2.52") in September, but exhibits an upward tilt to 111mm (4.37") in October. Sea temperatures remain pleasantly high, resting at about 29.3°C (84.7°F) in September but slide to 28.7°C (83.7°F) by
November.
Winter weather in Puerto Plata
Winter lands at
December's doorstep with a downpour. Rain increases to reach a zenith of 232mm (9.13") in December. Concurrently, the cooler months witness a fall in temperatures, recording 29.1°C (84.4°F) on sunny days and 18.1°C (64.6°F) on the colder nights. The sea tends to cool off, with temperatures tipping off at 27.4°C (81.3°F) in December. Despite these changes, the city maintains respectable daylight and sunshine hours, at about 11 and 6 hours, respectively.
Weather in January
Weather in February
The month of
February continues the trend of favorable weather conditions in
Puerto Plata. This month observes the temperatures taking a slight get ahead compared to
January, marking the onset of the early summer. However, a significant falloff in the amount of precipitation is also observed, dropping to 140mm (5.51").
Weather in February »Weather in March
March brings subtle modifications to the weather profile in
Puerto Plata. Compared to
February, there is a slight reduction in the temperatures noted. Moreover, the rainfall continues the declining trend with an average total of approximately 129mm (5.08").
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Just when
March bids goodbye,
April ensures the continuity of the pleasing weather in
Puerto Plata. Remarkably, the mercury takes a jump in April, indicating the initiation of the hot season. Moreover, the rain seems to be holding back too with a drop to 115mm (4.53").
Weather in April »Weather in May
Transitioning into
May,
Puerto Plata stands at the threshold of the hotter part of the year. A surge in temperature from
April to May is admirably significant, ushering in the true essence of the hot season. Interestingly, the rainfall depicts an uptick - hitting approximately 129mm (5.08").
Weather in May »Weather in June
As the clock ticks over to
June,
Puerto Plata warms up. This month beholds a marginal uptick in mercury levels compared to
May, symbolizing the heart of the hot season. However, rainfall is at its lowest for the year - taking a deep dive down to 51mm (2.01").
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July recounts the weather story of
Puerto Plata with a slightly different angle. Unveiling a negligible rise in temperature - attaining 32.6°C (90.7°F) at its highest point - July gets hotter. Yet, a notable resurgence in rainfall is also observed, surging to 70mm (2.76") after the steep decline in
June.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August sustains the hot season in
Puerto Plata, recording the same highest temperature as in
July. Contradictorily, there is a slight reduction in the rainfall, estimated to be around 67mm (2.64"). With the city basking under the sunny skies, weather conditions remain strikingly similar to those of the preceding month.
Weather in August » Weather in September
The month of
September witnesses a distinctive shift in the meteorological paradigm of
Puerto Plata. Offering something unique, the city experiences the highest temperature of the year - 32.7°C (90.9°F). Alongside, rainfall levels decline further to 64mm (2.52").
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October observes changes in the weather equations in
Puerto Plata. A slight drop in temperature from
September is noted indicating the gradual departure of the hot season. Additionally, a significant rise in rainfall can be noticed, jumping up to 111mm (4.37").
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Puerto Plata brings a noticeable change in the weather spectrum. The mercury drops further as compared to
October, reinforcing the arrival of the cooler season. However, this month also stands out due to an upsurge in precipitations, with the rainfall hitting a high of 229mm (9.02").
Weather in November » Weather in December
The final month of the year,
December, presents an intriguing weather scenario in
Puerto Plata. Taking a pronounced dive from
November, the temperatures reach as low as 18.1°C (64.6°F), marking it the coolest month. Simultaneously, the rain continues its dominance yielding 232mm (9.13") of precipitation, the highest throughout the year.
Weather in December » [Resources]