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Why is the Caribbean so windy?

Due to the rotation of the earth and the Coriolis Effect, the whole area is blessed with an Easterly trade wind, so called because it used to bring the trade ships from Europe.



The Caribbean's windiness is primarily a result of its geographical location within the belt of the Easterly Trade Winds, also known as the "Alize" winds. These winds are created by the rotation of the Earth and the movement of warm air from the equator toward the poles (the Coriolis Effect). Because the Caribbean Sea is a vast, open body of water between 10°N and 20°N of the equator, there is very little landmass to break the steady flow of air coming across the Atlantic. These trade winds are strongest during the "dry season" (December to May), often referred to as the "Christmas Winds," which provide a refreshing breeze that keeps the tropical heat manageable. Furthermore, the region is a high-pressure zone adjacent to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which creates a constant "pressure gradient" that pulls air toward the islands. While these winds are a boon for sailors and windsurfers, they also fuel the development of tropical waves and hurricanes during the wet season. Each island's topography also plays a role; mountainous islands like Dominica can experience "venturi effects" where wind is funneled through valleys, increasing its speed significantly compared to flatter islands like Anguilla.

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For less wind and more stable conditions, visit the Caribbean during the driest months, February through the end of May. During these months, you can expect low winds, clear skies, and very few rain showers.

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Wind moves from areas of high pressure to low. So you will have stronger downward winds wherever there are large concentrations of islands. (note, even though 'heat rises', air temperature does cool with altitude.

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The north east trade wind makes for an ever windy north east coast. On the more popular south west coast the cooling influence of the wind is less.

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Fastest Recorded Wind Speed: Barrow Island, Australia During 1996's Tropical Cyclone Olivia, 253 mph winds were clocked by an unmanned weather station on this portion of Western Australia's northwest coast.

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Karpathos: The Windy Island.

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On the basis of crime rates, some of the least safe Caribbean Islands to visit include Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago. As we noted though, most crime in the Caribbean is an internal problem and is linked to inner-city areas well away from tourist resorts.

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Top 4 safest Caribbean islands to visit in 2023
  • St. Barts. Saint-Barthélemy, or St. ...
  • Anguilla. The U.S. Department of State named Anguilla one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. ...
  • The Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands implement some of the strictest gun laws of any Caribbean territory or nation. ...
  • Martinique.


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What month should you avoid in the Caribbean? Due to the risk of hurricanes, September and October are the months when it is wise to avoid the Caribbean.

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When is hurricane season in the Caribbean? According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 through November 30 and normally peaks in August and September.

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The answer obviously depends on the size of a boat and the size of the waves, but in general, wind speeds over 20–33 knots (around 28–54 km/h) are considered too windy for boating. At this speed, almost all sizes of boats are greatly affected and smaller ones may even be in danger of capsizing.

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Perhaps the hardest place to visit on Earth, North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, an indigenous people with no contact with the outside world. The Sentinelese are violently hostile to visitors and may attack with spears, bows, and arrows.

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Most visits are trouble-free, but there have been incidents of violent crime including armed robbery, sexual assaults and gang-related shootings. There has been an increase in gang-related murders involving guns. Some incidents have taken place in populated and public areas. Remain vigilant.

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It most certainly is! The only problem with planning a trip to Barbados is working around your budget. The island consistently ranks as one of the most expensive places in the Caribbean, stacked with luxury hotels that charge upwards of $1000 a night.

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