The climate of Puerto Rico is considered a tropical climate, with occurrences of high temperatures and humidity all year round. Puerto Rico’s climate is also categorized as a tropical rainforest, with average temperatures ranging from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (Climate and Average Weather Year-Round in Puerto Rico,2024). As Puerto Rico is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in North America, the island’s location contributes to the weather conditions(Lusvardi,2020). Located within the Caribbean makes the island vulnerable to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and extreme rainfalls (How the Climate Crisis is Impacting Puerto Rico,2023). On the island rainfalls are frequent throughout the year, however, the region usually sees more rain during May and October. During this period hurricane season occurs simultaneously.
Although light rainfalls occur during the rainy season there have also been occurrences of heavy rainfall from extensive storms. These storms have caused various landslides within the mountain areas(Landslides Triggered by Hurricane Maria,2017). Which has caused considerable damage that the island is working on repairing. Puerto Rico is located near the Atlantic Ocean, the island’s hurricane season, also known as the Atlantic hurricane season, usually occurs between the beginning of June to the end of November (The peak of the hurricane season – why now?,2016). In 2017 a disastrous hurricane hit Puerto Rico called “Hurricane Maria”, this hurricane has contributed to climate change(Rodrigues,2021). Due to this, heavier rainfall and hotter-than-usual temperatures have become more persistent. With the more frequent hurricanes and other extreme weather events caused by climate change, the residents of Puerto Rico are looking to rebuild.
Figure 2: Puerto Rico Monthly Climate Chart
Figure 3: Climatic subdivisions of Puerto Rico and outlying islands.
