Dominica is a small volcanic island state in the eastern Caribbean with a humid tropical maritime climate shaped by the northeast trade winds and rugged relief. Temperatures stay warm and fairly stable all year, but rainfall is highly variable across short distances: the west coast is comparatively drier, while the interior mountains and windward eastern slopes are extremely wet. The island is classified mainly as tropical rainforest and tropical monsoon climate, with a marked wet season from about June to November and a drier season from January to April. For residents and expats, the climate is lush and green but also humid, storm-prone, and vulnerable to hurricanes.