MALDIVES
Climate and Weather
Climate and Weather
Climate and Weather
The two main seasons experienced in the Maldives are determined by trade winds. The dry season, which lasts from November/December to April, is determined by the northeast monsoon, the iruvai. Dry air is then brought in from the Indian subcontinent and it is generally very sunny.
After the iruvai comes the hulhangu, the southwest monsoon. This season lasts from April to November. The southwest winds bring moist air and strong winds and storms develop over the Maldives, especially in November. True cyclones do not occur. Rain falls in short, heavy showers, especially in July and August.
Due to its location around the equator, the Maldives has a warm and humid tropical climate. The average daytime temperature is around 29°C (maximum 30.5°C) and the average nighttime temperature is around 24°C. The sea water temperature is constantly between 27 and 29°C. In the driest and warmest months of March and April, daytime temperatures average 31.4°C. In the wettest, least warm months it is still around 29°C. The sun shines for about eight hours a day throughout the year.
Because of its location in the middle of the sea and because of the tropical heat, the average humidity is always high, in the dry season 74% and in the wet season 81%. Although the amount of precipitation can vary significantly, the average annual rainfall is just over 1900 mm. The wettest month is June with an average of 300 mm. In the dry months of January to April only ± 50 mm falls. In the southern atolls there is on average ± 25% more precipitation than in the middle and northern atolls.
Sources
Derksen, G. / Maldiven
Gottmer
Ellis, R. / Maldives
Bradt
Lyon, J. / Maldives
Lonely Planet
Vliet, E. van / Reishandboek Malediven
Elmar
Voigtmann, H. / Malediven
ECI
CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles
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