Punta Gorda's Rainy Season

Punta Gorda in Belize experiences a tropical rainforest climate, which means it has high temperatures and substantial rainfall throughout the year. The wettest month is typically June or July, with the latter seeing an average of 376 mm of rainfall. The driest month is April, with 79 mm of precipitation. The city's proximity to the equator also contributes to its wet weather.

Punta Gorda's tropical rainforest climate

Punta Gorda in Belize has a tropical rainforest climate. This climate is characterised by consistently high temperatures and substantial rainfall throughout the year, with annual precipitation averaging 2382mm to 2730mm. The temperature in Punta Gorda rarely falls below 64°F (17.8°C) or rises above 94°F (34.4°C). The average yearly temperature is 25.4°C (77.7°F).

The hottest month in Punta Gorda is May, with an average maximum temperature of 32°C (89.6°F). The coolest month is January, with an average maximum temperature of 28°C (82.4°F). The wettest month is June, with 311mm of rainfall, while the driest month is April, with 79mm to 84mm of precipitation.

The climate in Punta Gorda is classified as Af by the Köppen climate classification system, indicating a tropical rainforest climate. This climate type is defined by consistent high temperatures and substantial concurrent rainfall, resulting in persistently high humidity. Relative humidity in Punta Gorda ranges between 77% and 83% annually.

The city experiences minor fluctuations in temperature throughout the year. High temperatures range from 26.3°C (79.3°F) to 31.3°C (88.3°F), while low temperatures remain mild, fluctuating between 20°C (68°F) and 24.8°C (76.6°F). The coolest period is from December to February, with maximum temperatures between 26.3°C (79.3°F) and 28.5°C (83.3°F). The warmest months are from April to October, with temperatures varying from 31°C (87.8°F) to 31.3°C (88.3°F).

Punta Gorda's dry season lasts from December to mid-April, coinciding with the tourist season. The wettest months are June, July, and August, with July being the rainiest month. The rainfall in July reaches a peak of 169mm (6.65 inches) on average, with a record-breaking 1522mm of rainfall in July 2013.

The wettest and driest months

Punta Gorda, Belize, has a tropical rainforest climate, which means it experiences high temperatures and substantial rainfall throughout the year.

The Wettest Months

The wettest month in Punta Gorda is June, with 311mm of precipitation. However, some sources state that July is the wettest month, with 14.8 inches (376mm) or 6.65 inches (169mm) of rainfall. The wet season in Punta Gorda typically lasts from May or June to December, with a greater than 28% chance of a given day being a wet day. The peak of the wet season is from July to August, with an average of 1957.6mm of rainfall. The wettest three-month period on record was June to August 2013, with 3328mm of rainfall.

The Driest Months

The driest month in Punta Gorda is April, with 79mm, 84mm, or 46mm of precipitation, depending on the source. February to April is the driest time of year on average, with 256.7mm of rainfall over the three months. The driest three-month period on record was February to April 2013, with only 35mm of rainfall.

The best time to visit Punta Gorda for warm, dry weather is from mid-December to mid-March, with April to October being the most comfortable months for those who prefer moderate temperatures.

Seasonal variations in precipitation

Punta Gorda, Belize, has a tropical rainforest climate, which means it experiences high temperatures and substantial rainfall throughout the year. The climate is classified as 'Af' by the Köppen climate classification system.

The seasonal variations in precipitation are as follows:

Spring (March to May)

Spring in Punta Gorda is characterised by rising temperatures and increasing rainfall. In March, the rainfall is moderate, with an average of 74mm, while May experiences a significant increase, with 105mm of precipitation.

Summer (June to August)

The summer season in Punta Gorda brings the highest temperatures of the year, with little variation between the months. Rainfall peaks in July, which is the wettest month on average, with 169mm of precipitation. August sees a slight decrease in rainfall, with 142mm.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn in Punta Gorda is marked by a decrease in temperatures and a moderate to high level of rainfall. September is the hottest month of this season, with an average temperature of 31.3°C, while rainfall gradually decreases from 122mm in September to 108mm in November.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is the coolest period in Punta Gorda, with maximum temperatures ranging from 26.3°C to 27.6°C. February is the driest month, with 65mm of precipitation, while January, the coldest month, sees an increase in rainfall, with an average of 91mm.

Overall, Punta Gorda experiences a wet season from May to December, with a greater than 28% chance of a given day being a wet day. The wettest month is typically July, while the driest months are February, March, and April, making this period ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

The temperature range throughout the year

Punta Gorda, Belize, has a tropical rainforest climate, with consistently high temperatures and substantial rainfall throughout the year. The temperature typically varies from 69°F to 90°F, rarely falling below 64°F or rising above 94°F.

The hot season in Punta Gorda lasts for about 2.6 months, from April 8 to June 27, with an average daily high above 88°F. June is the hottest month, with an average high of 89°F and a low of 76°F. The cool season, on the other hand, lasts for about 2.4 months, from November 28 to February 10, with temperatures rarely falling below 69°F or rising above 83°F. January, the coldest month, sees temperatures ranging from 69°F to 81°F.

The temperature range in Punta Gorda is relatively consistent throughout the year, with minor fluctuations. High temperatures typically fall between 26.3°C (79.3°F) and 31.3°C (88.3°F), while low temperatures stay within the range of 20°C (68°F) to 24.8°C (76.6°F). The average yearly temperature is 25.4°C (77.7°F).

The best time to visit Punta Gorda depends on individual preferences. Those seeking moderate temperatures might prefer April to October, when temperatures vary from 31°C (87.8°F) to 31.3°C (88.3°F). For those who prefer slightly cooler weather, December to March offers temperatures ranging from 26.3°C (79.3°F) to 28.5°C (83.3°F). It's worth noting that February to April experiences lower precipitation rates, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

The city's proximity to the equator

Punta Gorda, Belize, is located close to the equator and experiences a tropical rainforest climate. This means that the city sees consistent high temperatures and substantial rainfall throughout the year. The city's proximity to the equator means that it receives a greater amount of solar radiation, which leads to more evaporation and, consequently, more precipitation.

The sun's heat at the equator is more intense than at the poles, and this disparity creates a perpetual movement of air between these two regions. The sun warms the water and land at the equator, and the warm equatorial air rises higher into the atmosphere, creating a low-pressure system. As the warm air rises, it cools, and the water vapour it contains condenses into clouds and precipitation. This process, known as convection, is driven by the intense solar heating at the equator. The resulting rainfall further contributes to the low-pressure area, which is then filled by cool, dense air moving in from higher latitudes to replace the heated air. This cycle of warm air rising and cool air sinking creates a continuous circulation pattern known as the Hadley cell, which plays a crucial role in regulating global weather patterns.

The water content of air roughly doubles with every 10°C increase in temperature. Therefore, the warm air at the equator, filled with water vapour, rises and cools, releasing its moisture as rain. This dynamic is further influenced by the trade winds from both hemispheres, which converge and contribute to the upward motion of air. The combination of high temperatures, high humidity, and unstable air in the equatorial belt results in the frequent and abundant rainfall characteristic of tropical climates.

Punta Gorda's location near the equator means that it experiences these equatorial climate patterns, resulting in consistent rainfall throughout the year. While there are variations in precipitation volumes, with some months receiving higher rainfall than others, the overall climate is characterised by high temperatures and concurrent substantial rainfall.

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