Anthurium, a favorite tropical flower
Much of the lure of Saint Lucia is found in its mild climate which features highs of 89ºF (32ºC) in the summer and 84ºF (29ºC) in the winter. Night time lows are noticeably cooler in the winter often falling to the low 70s ºF (21ºC).
Many of Saint Lucia’s residents, as well as some of the accommodation offerings, take advantage of the noticeably cooler temperatures and comfortable breezes provided by residing at a bit of an elevation in the mountains and on hillsides.
Increased rainfall can be expected during the wet season of June through November, which corresponds with the Atlantic hurricane season. As with all islands in the region, Saint Lucia is at risk of experiencing the effects of tropical storms during this time. However, Saint Lucia is fortunate for being as far south and east as it is resulting in many of the approaching storm systems not being well developed when they reach the island. More often than not low pressure systems will pass Saint Lucia as ‘waves’ or ‘depressions’ creating only extended periods of heavy rainfall. As they move on and continue strengthening they then become named tropical storms or hurricanes, depending on their wind speeds. This was the case numerous times over the past few decades with some of the most destructive storms experienced by islands to the north and the American Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
This is not to say Saint Lucia does not experience damaging storms as over the past century statistics show it has happened about once a decade. But, of course, modern forecasting and monitoring techniques, global telecommunications and regional cooperation – led by America’s National Hurricane Center – insures the island receives adequate warning for preparation and evacuation when storms are approaching minimizing the risk for visitors coming during the storm season.