Climate & Weather Guide in Guadeloupe

Climate zones, seasonal temperatures, rainfall patterns, and best travel times

Guadeloupe has a warm tropical maritime climate shaped by steady trade winds, with hot, humid conditions year-round and a clear wet-dry seasonal pattern. Coastal areas are generally warm and breezy, while the mountainous interior of Basse-Terre is much wetter because moist air rises over the terrain. Recent climate sources describe annual rainfall near Pointe-à-Pitre at about 1,550 mm, with much higher totals in the interior and lower totals on some leeward islands. For residents and expats, the main appeal is the consistently warm temperature, but the trade-off is high humidity, seasonal heavy rain, and hurricane risk in the wet season.

Summer Average

29-31°C

Winter Average

24-29°C

Climate Types

Tropical maritime and Humid tropical and Tropical monsoon

Annual Rainfall

800-4000 mm

Sunshine Hours

2,400-2,900 hrs/yr

Average Humidity

70-85%

Regional Climate Variations

Leeward Coastal Plain

This includes the drier lowland areas around Grande-Terre and the leeward parts of the archipelago, where trade winds provide regular cooling and rainfall is lower than on the windward mountains. Climate data indicate coastal annual rainfall often around 1,000 to 1,500 mm, with a pronounced drier season from January to April and a wetter season from June to November. Temperatures stay hot but are moderated by sea breezes, making this the most comfortable area for residents who want warmth without the heaviest rainfall.

Summer:29-31°C

Winter:24-28°C

Moderate rainfall

Warm, breezy, and relatively livable, with frequent sunshine, coastal humidity, and less persistent rain than the mountainous west.

Windward Basse-Terre Slopes

The eastern and northeastern slopes of Basse-Terre are among the wettest parts of Guadeloupe because moist Atlantic air is forced upward by the mountains. Sources describe annual totals from roughly 2,500 mm to well above 4,000 mm in exposed upland zones, with dense cloud cover and frequent showers. Temperatures remain warm, but persistent moisture, steep terrain, and rapid weather changes define the climate. This region is ideal for people who prefer lush scenery and cooler-feeling air over dry, stable weather.

Summer:27-30°C

Winter:22-26°C

Very high rainfall

Lush, cloudier, and much wetter than the coasts, with frequent showers, intense greenery, and a more changeable mountain climate.

Southern Basse-Terre and Interior Highlands

The southern and central upland areas of Basse-Terre have a humid tropical climate with very strong rainfall contrasts over short distances. Higher elevations and exposed slopes receive heavy rain, while sheltered valleys can be less wet, but still much wetter than Grande-Terre. The climate feels cooler at altitude, especially in the evening and after rain, yet remains humid overall. For expats who value cooler air and forested landscapes, this is one of the most distinctive environments in the archipelago.

Summer:26-29°C

Winter:21-25°C

Very high rainfall

Hot but less oppressive at elevation, with frequent rain, cooler nights, and the island's most pronounced tropical mountain feel.

Guadeloupe is a warm tropical archipelago with strong microclimate contrasts: drier, breezier lowlands on the leeward side and much wetter mountain and windward zones on Basse-Terre. For residents, the climate is attractive if you want year-round warmth, but you should expect high humidity, a long wet season, and the possibility of hurricanes and heavy downpours.

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