Weather in Maldives
Weather in the Majestic Maldives
Weather in the Maldives is one of the many reasons that tourists flock in droves (over 600,000 per year) to this magical land of atolls and islets.
Often referred to as “The Pearls of the Indian Ocean,” the Maldives features beautiful lagoons, amazing coral reefs, marvelous marine life and warm, tropical weather that seems to give you a big bear hug as you descend the plane.
Weather in Maldives: Tropical Climate
Maldives Weather is typical of a tropical climate, meaning that the weather is warm to hot, humid and moist all year round with little variation. The average temperature in the Maldives is approximately 29 to 32 degrees Celsius, or 84 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although the humidity is relatively high, the air rarely feels thick and too hot due to the constant sea breezes.
The Maldives is located in the Equatorial belt, so severe tropical storms and cyclones are extremely rare events.
The hottest month on average is April and the coolest is December. The weather is determined largely by the two monsoons: Iruvai, the north-east monsoon and Hulha’ngu, the south-west monsoon.
Weather in Maldives: Iruvai, the North-East Monsoon
Iruvai, the north-east monsoon, greatly effects the weather in the Maldives. The north-east monsoon arrives in November, characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall lasting for about a week. Iruvai travels from north to south, eventually setting in January.
The north-east monsoon makes the weather in the north and mid atolls distinct from that of the southern atolls. The north and mid atolls experience clear skies, sunshine and calm seas for most of the period. Scuba diving is fantastic during this period. The visibility is excellent on the eastern side of the atolls and the water is warm, averaging around 28 degrees.
Conversely, the southern atolls receive a large amount of rainfall and experience rough seas during the early stages of the north-east monsoon. However, the sea becomes more calm and hot, dry periods prevail until the arrival of Hulha’ngu, the south-west monsoon.
Weather in Maldives: Hulha’ngu, the South-West Monsoon
Hulha’gnu, the south-west monsoon, sets in from May and lasts until November, bringing forth heavy rains, strong winds and occasional thunderstorms. This monsoon affects the weather in Maldives by making the seas rough.
During the south-west monsoon, most divers choose to scuba dive around the western side of the Maldives. Currents at this time of year are reversed, flowing from southwest to northeast.
Weather in Maldives: Dry Season
The shift from the moist south-west monsoon to the dry north-east monsoon occurs during October and November. The dry season in the Maldives lasts until April.
Weather in Maldives: Rainy Season
Brought by the summer southwest monsoon, the rainy season in the Maldives lasts from May to August each year. Generally, the annual rainfall averages 2,540 millimeters in the north and 3,810 millimeters in the south. Even during the rainy season, the temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F).
Despite the rain, weather in the Maldives is pleasant all year round!
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