Climate & Weather in Montego Bay (2026)

Rain mm/yr: 1,521

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: holiday-weather.com, weather-and-climate.com

Good to know

Good to Know

Peak tourist season (December–March) brings crowds and higher prices; book accommodation 2–3 months ahead if visiting then.
February–March offer the best balance of low rainfall and warm temps with somewhat lower prices than December–January.
Afternoon showers during rainy season (May–October) typically pass quickly; early mornings often remain sunny.
Hurricane season officially June–November, but peak risk is August–October. Direct hits are statistically rare; consider travel insurance if visiting June–November.
July is hot (32°C (90°F)/90°F) and hosts Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, bringing crowds and heavy traffic mid-month.
September–October offer significant hotel and flight discounts during off-peak season, despite rainfall and hurricane risk.
Coastal rain patterns vary by location; Montego Bay's north coast receives more rainfall (~60 inches/year) than sheltered south coast (32 inches/year).
Mosquitoes are present year-round but more active during rainy months (June–November); use repellent especially at dawn/dusk.

Overview

Tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round and no true winter/summer seasons. Montego Bay receives roughly 1500–1900 mm of rainfall annually, distributed across wet and dry periods. Snowfall does not occur.

Rainfall

Driest Months: February–April, July
Wettest Months: May, August–October
Annual Total Mm: 1521
Annual Total Inches: 60

Driest Month Detail

Month: February
Rainy Days: 6
Rainfall Mm: 53
Rainfall Inches: 2.1

Wettest Month Detail

Month: October
Rainy Days: 14
Rainfall Mm: 261
Rainfall Inches: 10.3

Hurricane Season

Official Period: June 1–November 30
Peak Risk Months: August–October (historically most active)
Direct Hit Frequency: Rare; Jamaica ranks #36 among Caribbean destinations for hurricane risk. Most storms pass nearby rather than strike directly, bringing wind and heavy rain.
Note: June, July, November are statistically safer months during the season. September is considered the single most active hurricane month for the Caribbean overall.

Seasonal Patterns

Dry Season

Period: November–April
Peak Season: December–March (highest tourist arrivals, highest prices)
Characteristics: Minimal rainfall, consistently sunny, warm daytime temps 27–30°C (80–86°F), ideal beach conditions

Rainy Season

Period: May–October
Characteristics: Heavier afternoon showers (often brief), higher humidity, more tropical feel. May brief, June–October much wetter
Off Peak Season: September–October (lowest tourist arrivals, best hotel/flight deals)

Shoulder Season

Period: Late April–May, November–early December
Characteristics: Transition months with lighter crowds and moderate rainfall before/after peak periods

Temperature Range

Peak Months

Month: July–August
Low Celsius: 23
High Celsius: 32
Low Fahrenheit: 73
High Fahrenheit: 90

Coolest Months

Month: January–February
Low Celsius: 20
High Celsius: 29
Low Fahrenheit: 68
High Fahrenheit: 84

Best Months Overall

January–April (warm, dry, sunny, peak season); November–early December (shoulder season, pleasant weather, fewer crowds than peak)

Worst Months Overall

September–October (heaviest rainfall, highest hurricane risk, high humidity, least appealing weather for most visitors)

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this climate & weather research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Montego Bay

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Climate & Weather in Montego Bay