Heavy rains are common in Dominica.

Dominica’s monthly weather has average temperatures in the mid 80s Fahrenheit year round. The island averages as much as 13 inches of rain a month during the peak of the hurricane season.

The rain delivers an island that has some of the best rainforests and waterfall hikes in the region. But it also isn’t an attractive island for sand, sun and beach lovers.

The island is a somewhat common stop on eastern Caribbean cruises during the spring when the average monthly rainfall is lighter than normal. It lies nearly midway between Antigua to the north and St. Lucia to the south, which makes it a convenient stop for cruise ships heading south.

Even closer to Dominica are the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, which also are known for heavy rainfall, waterfalls and rainforests.

Unlike other islands, visitors don’t go to Dominica for sunshine and a warm climate. They go there to take advantage of what the weather does to the island.

Dominica Hurricane Season

Dominica’s hurricane season stays active from June through November. The official Caribbean season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year, but the worst activity usually takes place in October and November. Dominica gets drenched in October and November with an average of 13 to 15 inches each month.

Although hurricanes rarely hit the island directly, they do bring heavy rains and wind damage when they pass nearby.

A dry month for Dominica is the average of four inches of rain in February, according to historical data from the Dominica Meteorological Service. That’s almost as high as some islands get during the middle of the Caribbean hurricane season.

“The ‘dry season’ usually runs from January to May and the ‘wet season’ from June to December. May and December are considered transition months,” the meteorological service says on its Web site.

Dominica Monthly Temperatures

Monthly temperatures in Dominica stay in the mid 80s Fahrenheit during the day throughout the year. They are slightly cooler compared to many other Caribbean islands.

The average daytime temperature ranges from 82 degrees Fahrenheit in January and February to 87 degrees in August and September.

The average nighttime temperatures go from 72 degrees in January and February to 76 degrees from June through August.

Temperatures are warmer in the summer, but visitors will find the heavy rains make those months less appealing than the spring.

Water temperatures average in-between the highs and lows each day. Seawater is cooler in the mornings and warmer in the late afternoons.

• Dominica weather in January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December