Climate & Weather Guide in Saint Helena

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

Saint Helena is a small, remote South Atlantic island with a maritime tropical climate moderated by the trade winds and strong elevation contrasts. Coastal areas are warm and relatively dry, while the interior highlands are cooler, cloudier, and wetter, creating a noticeable local climate gradient on an island only about 16 km across. The north around Jamestown is the driest and warmest zone, while the south and central uplands receive substantially more rainfall. For residents and expats, the climate is generally mild year-round, with little seasonal temperature swing, but humidity, wind exposure, and microclimates vary sharply by altitude and location.

Summer Average

17-28°C

Winter Average

17-25°C

Climate Types

Tropical and Subtropical maritime and Oceanic highland

Annual Rainfall

100-1000 mm

Sunshine Hours

2,500-3,000 hrs/yr

Average Humidity

60-80%

Regional Climate Variations

North Coast and Jamestown

The north coast, including Jamestown, is the island’s warmest and driest inhabited area. Coastal temperatures are mild throughout the year, with the sea and persistent trade winds preventing extreme heat. Rainfall is limited compared with the rest of the island, so conditions feel relatively bright and arid for a tropical island. This is the most attractive zone for expats who prefer more sunshine, lower humidity, and easier access to the main town and services. Wind exposure can still be noticeable, especially on open slopes and around the harbor.

Summer:24-28°C

Winter:17-22°C

Low rainfall

Warm, breezy, and relatively dry, with the most settled coastal weather on the island.

Central Highlands

The central uplands are cooler and more cloud-prone than the coast because of elevation. Temperatures drop noticeably as you move inland, and mist or low cloud can occur more often, especially on exposed hillsides. Rainfall is higher here than in the north, supporting greener landscapes and more varied vegetation. For residents, this zone offers a more temperate feel and less heat stress, but it can also feel damp and changeable, with weather shifting quickly over short distances. It is best suited to people who prefer cooler conditions and do not mind frequent cloud cover.

Summer:20-25°C

Winter:15-20°C

Moderate rainfall

Cooler, greener, and cloudier, with a more temperate feel than the coast.

Southern Slopes and Windward Hills

The southern and windward parts of Saint Helena are the wettest areas, receiving much more rainfall than the north. These slopes are more exposed to moisture-bearing trade winds, which helps create greener terrain and a cooler, more humid climate. Conditions can feel damp and breezy rather than hot, and cloud cover is often more persistent. For expats, this zone offers lush scenery and lower temperatures, but it is less suitable for those seeking dry, sunny weather. The climate here is the closest the island gets to a wet highland environment.

Summer:18-24°C

Winter:14-19°C

High rainfall

Cooler, wetter, and greener, with frequent cloud and the highest moisture levels on the island.

Saint Helena has a very small-area climate system, so one island creates several distinct residential microclimates rather than separate broad climate belts. It is appealing for expats who want mild temperatures year-round, but the trade-off is strong variation in sunshine, wind, and rainfall depending on whether you live on the dry north coast or the cooler, wetter uplands.

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