The climate of Guanaja
Guanaja, an island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of
Honduras, falls under the Am classification in the Köppen climate classification system. The island experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by high humidity, significant rainfall and very little temperature variation throughout the year.
A conspicuous characteristic of Guanaja's climate is the high humidity, remaining fairly constant from 75% to 78% through the entire calendar. Temperatures remain fairly constant from month to month with less than 5°C (41°F) deviation between highs and lows. High temperatures range from 26°C (78.8°F) to 29.3°C (84.7°F), while low temperatures range from 24.3°C (75.7°F) to 27.8°C (82°F).
Rainfall heavily influences the climate with peak precipitation observed in
October,
November, and
December averaging over 210mm (8.27"). Lower rainfall periods exist mainly in
April having 34mm (1.34") and
March being slightly higher at 56mm (2.2"). Meanwhile, the wind speed varies between 16.5km/h (10.3mph) to 26.2km/h (16.3mph). The highest wind gusts are typically seen in
June with speeds reaching about 37.7km/h (23.4mph), whereas in November they tend to decrease to 24.3km/h (15.1mph).
The best time to visit Guanaja
Prospective visitors to
Guanaja keen on spending time enjoying the sun and sea should consider the period from
March to
May. During these months, Guanaja showcases relatively drier conditions presenting rainfall values around 34mm (1.34") to 67mm (2.64"). Simultaneously, the island benefits from maximum sunshine hours, approximately 11.6 hours per day, and relatively high sea temperatures lingering at about 28°C (82.4°F) to 29°C (84.2°F), inviting for swimming or water activities. March to May also features elevated daylight hours, from 12.1h to 12.9h and lower cloud cover, ranging between 19% to 23% on average.
The worst time to visit Guanaja
For tourists less tolerant of frequent rains and limited sunshine, the span from
October to
December should be avoided. Voluminous rainfall with an average downpour between 169mm (6.65") to 241mm (9.49") coupled with limited sunshine hours from about 7h to 8h per day highlights this period. Further, the sea temperatures tend to drop towards 27°C (80.6°F) in December, which might be less appealing for water enthusiasts.
Spring weather in Guanaja
Spring, stretching from
March to
May, brings a warmer pattern, less rain and optimal visibility conditions, invariably locked at 10km (6.2mi) throughout this period. A slight increase in daylight hours from 12.1h to 12.9h accompanies longer sunshine hours, crucial for sunbathing or outdoor fun.
Summer weather in Guanaja
June ushers in the onset of Summer, marked by slightly increased rainfall, from 77mm (3.03") to 118mm (4.65"), and marginally higher humidity levels, around 78%. However, the maximum average temperatures rise to 29.3°C (84.7°F) while sea temperatures peak at approximately 29.8°C (85.6°F) in
July.
Autumn weather in Guanaja
Commencing from
September till
November, autumn bears witness to the heaviest rainfall with monthly averages ranging from 112mm (4.41") to 241mm (9.49"). These months also report the highest cloud cover percentages, between 38% to 41%, resulting in decreased visibility, particularly in
October and November, which drops to 9km (5.6mi).
Winter weather in Guanaja
Winter weather patterns in
Guanaja, spanning
December to
February, are somewhat mild than most places. The rainfall lays back a bit, but remains significant at 153mm (6.02") to 169mm (6.65") per month. Despite temperature lows declining to a cooler 24.3°C (75.7°F) in December, the sea temperatures remain quite warm, around 26.4°C (79.5°F) to 27.3°C (81.1°F), thus providing ample opportunities for beach and water activities.
Weather in January
Transitioning from the end of the previous year,
January's climate in
Guanaja,
Honduras maintains moderate rainfall, cloud coverage, and relative humidity. This is accompanied by the slow increase in daylight hours, while the sea temperature remains comfortably warm, supporting aquatic activities.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Following
January,
February experiences some shifts in its climate attributes, most notably, a significant decrease in rainfall volume and days of rainfall. Interestingly, sea temperatures increase while wind speed continues to rise steadily.
Weather in February »Weather in March
As
Guanaja approaches the end of the first quarter of the year,
March witnesses an even more pronounced decline in rainfall, both in terms of volume and the number of rainy days. In general, climate parameters, including maximum wind speed and visibility remain fairly consistent.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Next in line is
April, with a continued trend in decreasing precipitation but an increase in the number of sunshine-filled days and daylight hours. The sea temperature rises to 27.7°C (81.9°F), providing excellent conditions for marine activities such as diving and snorkeling.
Weather in April »Weather in May
As the weather continues to warm,
May marks the onset of higher humidity and rainfall with an accompanying increase in cloud coverage. This change in climate affects visibility slightly, despite it remaining relatively steady. Sea temperature continues to rise, reaching 28.3°C (82.9°F) in this month, providing excellent conditions for water-related recreational activities.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June's weather in
Guanaja,
Honduras, represents a noticeable shift, most notably in the form of higher temperatures and rainfalls. The changes in climate elements are consistent with the start of the summer season, marked by longer days and increased cloud coverage.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Midway through the year,
July's weather records the peak of several climate variables. The continuing increased precipitation from
June reshapes the weather dynamics with daily downpours. A new top of 29°C (84.2°F) in temperature is noted for July, as the long, warm days set in.
Weather in July »Weather in August
Transitioning into
August,
Guanaja's weather sees a drop in rainfall volumes and days, despite maintaining a steady relative humidity level. Sea temperatures peak at 29.3°C (84.7°F), which are the warmest recorded temperatures of the year, promoting maritime tourism and water sports.
Weather in August »Weather in September
As
Guanaja enters the autumn season,
September's weather patterns see negligible deviation from those of the previous month. Notwithstanding the constant temperature, sea temperature continues to rise, topping at 29.8°C (85.6°F).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October marks a shift in
Guanaja's weather, bringing along an increase in rainfall, accompanied by the greatest number of rainy days, tallying up to 26.4 days in the month. A steady decline in daylight hours and temperatures accompanies this, hinting at the onset of the cooler months.
Weather in October » Weather in November
The transition into the year's final quarter brings about significant changes in
Guanaja's weather.
November carries on with the declining trend in daylight hours and temperatures. However, the rainfall hits a peak at 241mm (9.49"), with rain on 25.9 days making this the wettest time of the year.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Finally,
Guanaja's climate in
December exhibits a mix of climatic traits from the preceding months. There is a considerable drop in rainfall and the number of rainy days as compared to
November, providing some respite from heavy downpours.
Weather in December »