Does it Snow in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean Island with a tropical climate.
Despite being a Caribbean tropical island, Puerto Rico has a multitude of microclimates, which implies that various regions of the island have distinct weather conditions. However, does Puerto Rico experience snow?
The brief answer is NO. Puerto Rico does not experience snow.
In this article, I will answer in detail the question “does it snow in Puerto Rico?”
Let’s get started.
Does it Snow in Puerto Rico?
As previously stated, the answer is NO.
Puerto Rico is a North American island nation.
It is made up of the main island, Puerto Rico, as well as other smaller islands.
The country, which spans 13,800 square kilometers, is mostly mountainous, with coasts all around.
Cerro de Punta is the highest point on the island, rising 4,390 feet (1,340 meters) above sea level.
It has a population of more than three million people. Is there snow in Puerto Rico?
The weather in Puerto Rico is heavily affected by trade winds and the North Atlantic Current, which help maintain temperatures relatively constant throughout the year.
The southern section of the island, for example, is substantially drier than the northern region.
This is due to the fact that the southern region is in the trade wind belt, whilst the northern part is not.
As a consequence, the northern region gets more rain than the southern region.
Snow, however, is a relatively unusual occurrence even in the northern regions. In fact, Puerto Rico hasn’t experienced snow since 1975!
Climate of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate that is hot all year, with a hot and muggy season from May to October and a somewhat moderate season from December to March, with November and April serving as transitional months.
In terms of rain, the hot and muggy season from May to October tends to be rainy everywhere.
Although the rains are still abundant on mountain slopes facing north and east during the first months when the north-east trade winds prevail (November and December, and partially January).
In contrast, rainfall on the southern coast decreases in June and July.
The north-east trade winds, which blow all year but mainly during the chilly season, which begins in November, dump moisture gathered up in the sea as rain, particularly on the northern side, which is thus rainier than the southern side.
From December to March, the island nation occasionally gets affected by frontal systems from the United States.
These systems can bring clouds and rains to the islands.
The systems additionally bring cool winds capable of lowering the temperature by a few degrees, though less noticeable than in Cuba and Yucatan (Mexico), which are nearer to the American region.
When Does it Snow in Puerto Rico?
To be clear, it never snows in Puerto Rico.
Because it is closer to the equator, the sun’s rays fall directly on it.
Furthermore, the temperatures do not drop low enough to cause freezing and snowfall.
January and February are the coldest months in Puerto Rico, with temperatures dropping to 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (19.5 degrees Celsius) and 67.8 degrees Fahrenheit (19.9 degrees Celsius), respectively.
White Christmas in Puerto Rico
Despite the fact that Puerto Rico does not snow, it does not mean that there is no history of snow in this island nation.
Puerto Rico saw snow around Christmas for numerous years in the 1950s.
In the midst of the warm weather, children in San Juan rode sleds and engaged in massive snowball fights.
It was neither a miracle nor a meteorological anomaly.
The snow was given as a present from Felisa Rincón de Gautier, San Juan’s longtime mayor, who had fallen in love with snow during her years in New York.
Eastern Airlines, which milked the publicity for all it was worth, delivered it. One delivery was escorted by a young New Hampshire girl wearing a cap and a cable-knit sweater.
The snow didn’t cost Puerto Rico anything, but it did come with a price.
The fetishization of the northern “white Christmas” read to some as an act of cultural colonialism that has never entirely ceased, at a time when the independence movement was being ruthlessly suppressed in favor of a continuous colonial connection with the United States.
What is the Weather Like in Puerto Rico?
Having answered the question “does it snow in Puerto Rico? “Let’s look at how the weather is like on this island nation.
It has a tropical environment with average temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21-32 degrees Celsius) all year.
Puerto Rico’s southern coast receives more rainfall than the northern coast, while the central interior highlands receive the greatest rainfall of any location on the island.
Puerto Rico’s hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, and the island occasionally gets hit by hurricanes or tropical storms during this time.
Snowfall does not occur in Puerto Rico on a regular basis, however there have been reports of flurries in higher elevations of the island, which are insufficient to cause snowfall.
Does Puerto Rico Get Four Seasons?
YES, despite the tropical climate, Puerto Rico does experience all the four seasons.
Most people associate Puerto Rico with hot, tropical weather. Yes, it is! A nice 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) is the average temperature.
However, many individuals are unaware that Puerto Rico experiences all four seasons.
Because Puerto Rico is in the Northern Hemisphere, the seasons are the same as they are in the rest of the world.
The winter season lasts from December to February, the spring season from March to May, the summer season from June to August, and the fall season from September to November.
In the winter, the island may get rather frigid. At night, temperatures can fall below the 50s Fahrenheit (10-15 degrees Celsius).
Final Thoughts on the Question: “Does it Snow in Puerto Rico?”
Does it snow in Puerto Rico? As seen in the post, the answer is NO.
The island nation lies close to the equator and has a tropical climate which does not favor formation of snow.
However, Puerto Rico does experience all the four seasons throughout the year.
So, if you’re looking to escape the harsh winter conditions, you should consider Puerto Rico among your top destinations.