The climate of Kourou
Kourou, a city located in
French Guiana, exhibits a tropical rainforest climate, according to the Köppen climate classification, specifically noted as Af. The geographical position of Kourou contributes to the high temperatures and substantial rainfall experienced all year round.
Throughout the year, Kourou experiences high temperatures, where the average high temperature fluctuates minimally from 29°C (84.2°F) to 31.9°C (89.4°F). The lowest average temperatures also demonstrate a narrow range, shifting from 22.6°C (72.7°F) to 24.3°C (75.7°F) annually. The city does not lack in rainfall either; rain is witnessed almost every month, with
September being the driest month with an average of 33mm (1.3"). By contrast,
May tends to be the wettest, recording an average rainfall of 503mm (19.8").
Sunlight availability and sea temperatures also form important aspects of Kourou's climate throughout the year. Daylight hours range from 11.8 hours in
December to a maximum of 12.4 hours from May to
July. Sea temperatures stay within a close range, moving from 27.1°C (80.8°F) to 28.6°C (83.5°F) yearly.
One of the unique weather patterns in Kourou is the consistent humidity brought about by the persistent rainfall. Rainfall days are generally above 4.4 days a month, peaking in May with 24.9 days of rain. Another noteworthy pattern is the amount of sunshine, where the city enjoys more hours of sunshine from
June to
October, as these months record sunshine hours ranging from 7.1 to 8.7 hours.
The best time to visit Kourou
Considering warmth, sunlight and lower rainfall, the most favorable time to visit
Kourou for outdoor activities would be from
June to
October. During this period, the city experiences more sunshine hours, with up to 8.7 hours in
September. Rainfall is at its lowest compared to the rest of the year, with September receiving the least precipitation of 33mm (1.3").
The worst time to visit Kourou
Despite temperature consistency, the period from
April to
May presents the least attractive time for visitation due to heavy rainfall. May records the highest rainfall of 503mm (19.8"), with approximately 24.9 days of rainfall. Sightseeing and outdoor activities might be hampered due to the frequency of rain during this period.
Spring weather in Kourou
In
Kourou, spring months from
March to
May see the high temperatures shifting from 29.4°C (84.9°F) to 29.6°C (85.3°F) and the lows between 24.2°C (75.6°F) and 24.3°C (75.7°F). These months, particularly May, experience the heaviest rainfall of the year, with May recording 503mm (19.8") of rain. Note that the sea temperature marginally increases from 27.4°C (81.3°F) to 28.1°C (82.6°F) and the daylight hours range from 12.1 hours to 12.4 hours.
Summer weather in Kourou
The summer months from
June to
August bring the highest temperatures of the year to
Kourou, ranging from 30.4°C (86.7°F) to 31°C (87.8°F). Correspondingly, the low temperatures hover between 22.7°C (72.9°F) to 22.8°C (73°F). Summer also begins the period of decreased rainfall and increased sunshine hours, with June and August recording 15.9 and 8.5 days of rainfall respectively.
Autumn weather in Kourou
During autumn, from
September to
November, day-time temperatures remain high, going from 31.7°C (89.1°F) to 31.2°C (88.2°F), while night-time temperatures fluctuate between 22.6°C (72.7°F) and 23.1°C (73.6°F). Remarkably, September receives the lowest rainfall of the year with 33mm (1.3"). It is during this season that sunlight shines the longest in
Kourou, with a high of 8.7 hours in September.
Winter weather in Kourou
Winter weather from
December to
February in
Kourou still possesses a tropical climate's signature warmth, with high temperatures falling between 29°C (84.2°F) and 29.1°C (84.4°F) while the low temperatures range from 23.7°C (74.7°F) to 24°C (75.2°F). Rainfall begins to pick up from 124mm (4.88") in
November to a substantial 358mm (14.09") by
January. Despite the increased rainfall, the temperatures of the sea remain warm, ranging from 27.3°C (81.1°F) to 27.1°C (80.8°F).
Weather in January
Kourou,
French Guiana, starts off the year with temperatures ranging from a high of 29°C (84.2°F) to a low of 23.8°C (74.8°F).
January is characterized by a considerable number of rainy days, with rainfall totaling 358mm (14.09").
Weather in January » Weather in February
Temperatures in
February marginally rise, when compared to
January, but the rainfall in
Kourou,
French Guiana decreases to 220mm (8.66"). This month is characterized by less rainfall and fewer rainy days than January; however, it is still the wet season.
Weather in February »Weather in March
Transition to
March continues to see rising temperatures and a further reduction in rainfall down to 266mm (10.47") in
Kourou,
French Guiana. The number of daylight hours begins to increase slightly, signaling the impending end of the wet season.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Kourou,
French Guiana, experiences weather similar to
March but with an increase in rainfall to 391mm (15.39"). This month signals the arrival of the rainy season, with more frequent downpours expected compared to the preceding months.
Weather in April » Weather in May
Weather in
Kourou,
French Guiana becomes more intense with the highest rainfall of the year, measuring at an impressive 503mm (19.8").
May falls solidly in the middle of the region's wet season. Consequently, residents and visitors alike expect heavier rains and a higher number of rainy days.
Weather in May »Weather in June
After a month of heavy rains in
Kourou,
French Guiana,
June witnesses a decrease in rainfall to 377mm (14.84"). Despite lower rainfall totals than
May, June still presents significant rainfall, characteristic of the continuing rainy season.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Kourou,
French Guiana, sees a substantial decrease in rainfall to 149mm (5.87"), a drastic dip from
June's figures. This period marks the onset of drier conditions, with fewer rainy days anticipated compared to the previous months.
Weather in July » Weather in August
In the heart of the dry season,
Kourou,
French Guiana, records almost half the amount of
July’s rainfall by a mere 88mm (3.46").
August emerges as an ideal period for a visit, with conditions being quite favorable for outdoor activities.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September brings even drier conditions to
Kourou,
French Guiana, with rainfall dropping to a low 33mm (1.3"). As the driest month of the year, September indicates the height of the dry season. The reduced rainfall allows uninterrupted beach stays, extensive exploration of the outdoors, and unhindered access to several tourist sites.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October experiences a slight increase in rainfall to 49mm (1.93") compared to
September in
Kourou,
French Guiana; however, it remains much lower than during the wet season. This month represents a period of transition from the dry season to the gradually approaching wet season.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November brings with it a more noticeable increase in rainfall to 124mm (4.88") in
Kourou,
French Guiana. This month is characterized by the increasing frequency of rainy days and a clear departure from the region's dry season conditions.
Weather in November » Weather in December
In
Kourou,
French Guiana,
December experiences a surge in rainfall to 281mm (11.06"), reintroducing the wet season's peak. As the final month of the year, December presents a characteristic increase in the number of rainy days but also a regular increase in sunshine hours.
Weather in December » [Resources]