Weather in St Lucia

climate and weather in st luciaThe weather in St Lucia is typical of weather in the Caribbean. St Lucia has a tropical climate with hot weather throughout the year. Northeast trade winds and sea breezes have a cooling effect on the weather in St Lucia. The island of St Lucia is part of the Lesser Antilles. This relatively small island is situated to the south of Martinique and northwest of the island of Barbados. It is on the eastern side of the Caribbean Sea and borders the Atlantic Ocean as well.

The average temperature in St Lucia ranges from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius (72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) in the dry season, which lasts from December to May. Temperatures in St Lucia during the wet season are only slightly higher than those experienced during the dry season. The wet season lasts from June to November and temperatures vary between 23 to 30 degrees Celsius (74 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). The trade winds and sea breezes tend to moderate the temperature and the cooling breezes provide refreshing relief during the hot days.

The dry season in St Lucia lasts from the end of November, through December, January, February, March, April and May. This period coincides with the North American summer holiday period and is peak holiday season in St Lucia. The rainy season in St Lucia begins at the end of May and continues until the beginning of November. The interior rain forests experience significantly more rainfall than the island’s coastal regions. The months from June to November are the hottest and wettest months in St Lucia, however St Lucia also experiences sporadic hurricanes during this period. 

 

When is the best time to go to St Lucia

Peak holiday season for the Caribbean runs from December to April and St Lucia is no exception. The Caribbean Island experiences an influx of foreign visitors and cruise ships during this period. December, January, February, March, April and early May are an ideal time to visit St Lucia as the daytime temperatures are not too high and this is the island’s dry season. Bookings during these months fill up fast and reservations need to be made well in advance. The months from June to November are off-season for St Lucia. Many hotels and resorts close for renovations. The weather in St Lucia during this period is stiflingly hot and humid with a lot of rain and some hurricanes. 
 

What to pack for a holiday in St Lucia

St Lucia is a tropical paradise, with an easy island style, neither too casual nor formal. Lightweight, light coloured clothing designed for maximum comfort and coolness is essential. So, take T-shirts and khaki shorts, board shorts and bikinis for the beaches (with a change of swimwear), a light and loose covering for the evening, such as a long sleeved shirt or sarong, as well as sunglasses, sunscreen and hats. Sandals are standard and, while many people go barefoot on the beach, pack trainers or amphibian walking shoes for island adventures or treks. Don't forget to bring something smart for a nice restaurant or outing– nothing too fancy though.


Climate and Weather in St Lucia in January

Average temperature in St Lucia in January: 22 to 28°C, 72 to 84°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in January: 27°C, 81°F
Average rainfall in January: 137mm, 5.2in
Note: New Year’s Day in St Lucia is celebrated from December 31 to January 2, with both January 1 and January 2 being national holidays. Visitors to the island can expect widespread celebrations and beach parties during this period. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in February

Average temperature in St Lucia in February: 22 to 28°C, 72 to 84°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in February: 26°C, 79°F
Average rainfall in February: 100mm, 3.9in
Events: Visitors travelling to St Lucia in February should be sure to include the annual Independence Day (Feb 22) celebrations in their travel Itinerary. The capital, Castries, come to a standstill during this national holiday. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in March

Average temperature in St Lucia in March: 22 to 28°C, 72 to 84°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in March: 26°C, 79°F
Average rainfall in March: 97mm, 3.8in
Events: St Lucia’s annual festival of comedy kicks off in March with events and shows throughout the month. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in April

Average temperature in St Lucia in April: 23 to 29°C, 73 to 84°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in April: 27°C, 81°F
Average rainfall in April: 113mm, 4.4in
Note: Easter generally falls in April with a number of public holidays including Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in May

Average temperature in St Lucia in May: 24 to 30°C, 75 to 86°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in May: 28°C, 82°F
Average rainfall in May: 143mm, 5.6in
Events: Labour Day on May 1 is a national holiday in St Lucia. The key event in May is the St Lucia Jazz Festival in Castries. The five-day festival hosts international and local stars in a celebration of jazz. Previous festivals have included big names such as Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, Santana and Herbie Hancock: stluciajazz.org 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in June

Average temperature in St Lucia in June: 24 to 30°C, 75 to 86°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in June: 28°C, 82°F
Average rainfall in June: 197mm, 7.87in
Note: June is the beginning of off-season in St Lucia. Many hotels schedule renovations during this time and visitors booking rooms in St Lucia should be sure to check whether there will be any building or noise disturbances. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in July

Average temperature in St Lucia in July: 24 to 30°C, 75 to 86°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in July: 28°C, 82°F
Average rainfall in July: 275mm, 10.8in
Events: July may be off-season, but it is also Carnival in St Lucia. Carnival used to be held before lent, but in 2009 the government decided to move the event to July so that St Lucia wouldn’t have to compete with the popular Trinidad and Tobago carnival. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in August

Average temperature in St Lucia in August: 24 to 30°C, 75 to 86°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in August: 28°C, 82°F
Average rainfall in August: 257mm, 10.1in
Events: Emancipation Day on August 1; is a national holiday. At the end of August the St Rose of Lima Festival and feast day (Aug 30) is celebrated. Visitors can expect street processions and church ceremonies as well as displays of traditional dance and music. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in September

Average temperature in St Lucia in September: 24 to 30°C, 75 to 86°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in September: 29°C, 84°F
Average rainfall in September: 258mm, 10.2in
Note: September is peak hurricane season for most St Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean. Visitors planning a trip to St Lucia in September should check weather reports and forecasts regularly. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in October

Average temperature in St Lucia in October: 23 to 30°C, 73 to 86°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in October: 29°C, 84°F
Average rainfall in October: 311mm, 12.2in
Note: October is the wettest month in St Lucia.
Events: St. Margaret Alacocque Feast Day, on October 17, is the rival festival to the St Rose festival held in August. The festival is celebrated with flowers, parades and Saint Lucian traditional Creole dances such as the Quadrille, the Belair and the Mappa. October is also Creole Heritage Month in St Lucia and there are many cultural activities on the go during this period. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in November

Average temperature in St Lucia in November: 23 to 29°C, 73 to 84°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in November: 28°C, 82°F
Average rainfall in November: 292mm, 11.5in
Note: Although November experiences slightly less rainfall than October, it is still a very wet month on the Caribbean island. The interior rainforest areas generally get double the amount of rainfall as that experienced in the coastal cities and resort areas. 
 

Climate and Weather in St Lucia in December

Average temperature in St Lucia in December: 22 to 28°C, 72 to 82°F
Sea temperature in St Lucia in December: 27°C, 81°F
Average rainfall in December: 171mm, 6.7in
Events: December is the beginning of peak season in St Lucia. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays in St Lucia. Other events in St Lucia in December include the Festival of Lights and Renewal, which takes place the night before St Lucia Day (formerly Discovery Day) on December 13. Finally yachting enthusiasts flock to St Lucia’s Rodney Bay in early December for the arrival of yachts participating in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers – the world’s largest ocean-crossing yacht race: worldcruising.com/arc