Puerto Rico is known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and warm tropical climate. But does it ever get cold enough to snow on this Caribbean island? Keep reading to find out if and when it snows in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico’s Climate
Puerto Rico has a tropical maritime climate, with warm temperatures year-round. The average high temperatures range from the mid-80s Fahrenheit on the coasts to the high 70s in the mountainous interior. Low temperatures average in the 70s on the coasts and 60s in the mountains.
Humidity is also generally high across the island. The rainy season brings frequent showers and thunderstorms from May to November. The dry season from January to April sees less rain. But even during the driest months, rainfall averages 2-3 inches across most of Puerto Rico.
So in general, the climate is hot and humid, with abundant rainfall. These tropical conditions make snow extremely rare.
Does It Ever Snow?
Snow is very unusual in Puerto Rico, but trace amounts have occurred a handful of times at the highest elevations. The island has over 100 peaks above 3,000 feet, and a few above 4,000 feet.
The highest, Cerro de Punta, rises to an elevation of 4,390 feet in Puerto Rico’s expansive Cordillera Central mountain range. At these elevations, temperatures can occasionally drop just low enough for snowflakes to form.
Meteorologists measure snow in central Puerto Rico about once every 20 years. But most snowflakes evaporate before reaching the ground. Measurable snow accumulations on the ground are even rarer, occurring perhaps once every 50-60 years.
Historic Snowfalls
Weather records document a few historic snow accumulations in Puerto Rico’s mountains. In January 1750, one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded hit San Sebastian at 38°F. On the summit of Cerro de Punta, there was enough snow accumulation for people to build snowmen!
More recently in February 1899, a winter storm dropped up to 3 inches of snow across the higher peaks. In March 1907, a few inches fell again in the mountains of Utuado. The most recent snowfall came on January 24, 2003 when flurries dusted the town of Utuado. Locals reported 1-3 inches sticking to the ground, a very unusual event.
The Role of El Niño
The rare Puerto Rico snowfalls all occurred during strong El Niño events. El Niño is a periodic warming of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures that affects weather patterns worldwide. During El Niño winters, the subtropical jet stream shifts south bringing unusually cold air to the Caribbean.
Cool temperatures combine with increased moisture for the recipe of freak snow events. So while no one can predict exactly when more snow will come, climatologists believe it’s most likely in another strong El Niño winter.
Will It Snow More Often with Climate Change?
Climate change is causing rising ocean and air temperatures in Puerto Rico, as across the globe. As the planet warms and the tropics expand, snow should become even less likely on the island.
However, some research suggests climate change could also lead to more extreme weather events. Powerful El Niño events may occur more frequently, sending chilly air masses southward. So while normal conditions will involve warmer winters, there’s a small chance climate change could occasionally spur greater snowfall extremes.
What About Snow in Other Tropical Areas Near Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico isn’t the only tropical location to see rare snowfalls. In Miami, Florida, trace snow flurries were reported in 1977. The summit of Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic picks up a light snow cover every 50 years or so, similar to Puerto Rico’s peaks.
Hawaii’s high volcanoes see snow a few times per decade, with up to 8 inches recorded during a freak blizzard on Maui’s Haleakala in 1937. The islands of the Caribbean and South Pacific have all reported snowflakes at least once over the last century.
So while snow is highly unusual in tropical regions, it can occur under just the right conditions.
The Bottom Line
Puerto Rico’s generally hot and wet tropical climate means snow is extraordinarily rare on the island. But about once every 20-60 years, the peaks over 4,000 feet high pick up a trace of snow, usually melting quickly. For snow to accumulate takes an even rarer combination of very chilly temperatures and increased moisture.
While exact predictions are impossible, the best chances seem to come during strong El Niño winters. These events probably won’t become more common due to global warming, so future snowfalls in Puerto Rico should be considered an increasingly unusual treat. I sincerely hope you find this “Does it Snow in Puerto Rico?” article helpful.
