If you’re concerned about touring during the hurricane season in Puerto Rico, you’re not alone. Every year tourism drops from late July to November because visitors are afraid of traveling. But no need to worry!
I’m a Puerto Rico local who has lived through many storms and hurricanes, and I’m here to provide details about the hurricane season in Puerto Rico. I’ll also delve into why you should consider this information when picking when to visit Puerto Rico, and helpful tips for making the most of your trip.
🌀 Are You Willing to Help? Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 18, 2022. The floods left hundreds homeless, without power or safe water. If you want to help, check out this list of non-governmental groups aiding those affected. Feel comfortable reaching out with any inquiries.
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Table of Contents
When is Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico?
The formal hurricane period in Puerto Rico transpires from June 1st to November 30 every year, with September as the peak of the season and the month with the most cyclone activity. Even though the season arises each year, not every year suffers the direct impact of a cyclone.
Puerto Rico Weather vs Hurricane Season
Puerto Rico’s Weather Quick Facts
⛱️ Puerto Rico’s Climate: Warm, tropical humid conditions, with variations across the island.
🌡️ Average Temperatures – Pleasant climate year-round, with a normal temperature of 80°F, cooler in winter and warmer in summer.
🌧️ Rainy Season – April to November
☀️ Dry Season – December to March
🌩️ Hurricane Season – June to November
The Rainy Season
Puerto Rico`s rainy season spans April through November, with April, August and November normally seeing the most rain. June and July experience less rainfall and increased heat.
Many visitors associate Puerto Rico`s rainy season with hurricanes, but other weather phenomena can result in heavy downpours year-round:
🌤️ Local Effects – The mix of humid days and warm temps spawns light rain showers in the afternoon.
🗺️ Place – Because of Puerto Rico’s topography, it rains more in certain regions like El Yunque.
🌧️ Trough – Inverted low-pressure region that causes rains and showers.
🌧️ Fronts – Changes between air masses that can cause rain, thunderstorms, and winds.
🌧️ Tropical Wave – Also called an easterly wave, an unorganized cluster of clouds that forms due to low pressure.
📚 Bookmark for Later: My guide to What to do in Puerto Rico.
What’s a Hurricane?
Annually, low-pressure weather patterns form over East Africa and transition through tropical regions until reaching the Atlantic Ocean, where optimal atmospheric conditions allow them to intensify into more powerful storms with strong winds.
When winds become organized and start rotating over 74 mph, that storm is officially termed a hurricane. Puerto Rico just happens to be in a position vulnerable to them.
🌩️ Most Recent Puerto Rico Hurricane – Hurricane Fiona, 2022
🌩️ Most Powerful Major Hurricane to Impact Puerto Rico – Hurricane San Felipe II, 1928
🌩️ Costliest Storm Damage – Hurricane George, 1998
Puerto Rico Hurricanes – Month by Month
On the off chance that you’re pondering how hurricane season is during a specific month, it’s useful to take a gander at verifiable information about which tropical storms have hit Puerto Rico in which months:
June
The hurricane season in the Atlantic usually begins in June, with the first tropical storm commonly forming between mid and late June in the Gulf of Mexico. The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season saw an unusually early start in May, and June resulted in 3 tropical storms being named.
July
By July, cyclonic storms continue arising both in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
🌩️ Tropical Storm San Cirilo, 1901 – this was the initial storm to hit Puerto Rico in the 20th century.
🌩️ Tropical Storm San Liborio, 1926 – caused heavy flooding resulting in 25 deaths.
August
The number of active systems grows significantly in the Atlantic Ocean, especially during the second half of the month. During August, Puerto Rico experienced both tropical storms and hurricanes.
🌩️ Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irene, 2011 – started as a tropical storm, Irene intensified to category 1 while crossing Puerto Rico.
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🌩️ Tropical Storm Debby, 2000 – classification 1, the indirect effects left heavy rainfall.
🌩️ Hurricane David, 1979 – category 4, didn’t make landfall but caused 7 deaths and $70 million in losses.
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Access cannot simply be gained to the Sagrada Familia. Tickets must be procured in advance online on the official Sagrada Familia website.
September
September is the peak month of danger from hurricanes forming in the Atlantic Ocean since atmospheric conditions are not disruptive enough to prevent systems from taking organizational shape. Historically speaking, this time of year has always been the most active for Puerto Rico facing hurricanes, with Hurricane Maria as the latest significant hurricane making landfall.
🌩️ A 2022 hurricane referenced as Fiona made landfall in Cabo Rojo as a category 1 storm, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in economic damages and leaving hundreds homeless due to floodwaters. Some areas received over 22 inches of rainfall in just a few hours. The entire island lost power.
🌩️ A catastrophic storm named Hurricane Maria in 2017 reached category 4 intensity and made landfall on Puerto Rico, resulting in $90 billion in damages and an estimated 2,975 direct and indirect human losses based on initial reports. However, a later analysis placed the death toll higher at 4, 645 lives lost to the storm`s impacts.
🌩️ Hurricane Irma, 2017 – category 5, this major hurricane impacted Vieques, Culebra, and the north of the main island through exterior rainbands.
🌩️ Hurricane George, 1998 – category 4, one of the most destructive in the island’s recorded history, with a loss of $3 billion.
🌩️ Hurricane Hortense, 1996 – the eye crossed the west coast in just 1 hour and 15 minutes, and although it was category 1, the rainfall caused floods and loss of $150 million.
🌩️ Hurricane Marilyn, 1995 – category 2, the eye passed close to the northeast coast of Puerto Rico causing extensive damage to Vieques and Culebra.
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🌩️ Tropical Storm Frederick, 1979 – made an indirect influence with $5 million in damages via floods.
⚡️ Storm San Ciprian, 1932 – class 3, left 272 deaths and $35 million in damage.
🌩️ Storm San Nicolás, 1931 – category 1, crossed the north coast, but the damage was mostly around the San Juan area.
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October
During the second half of October, the number of tropical storms and hurricanes starts to diminish. During this month, Puerto Rico received the impact of:
🌩️ Tropical Storm Jeanne, 2004- this October tropical storm reached wind speeds of 70 mph and caused severe flooding destroying homes and bridges.
🌩️ Hurricane San Calixto II, 1943 – category 2, traveled north from Caribbean Sea through Mona passage and impacted Puerto Rico indirectly with rainfall and powerful winds.
November
November marks the end of the season. Historically, not a single cyclone made landfall with a direct impact on the island. Hurricane Lenny came close and is also remembered for its unusual eastward movement.
🌩️ Hurricane Lenny, 1999 – category 4, affected Puerto Rico indirectly with rainfall that left $105 million in damages.
December & January
While the hurricane season concludes in November, December and January possess some risk of off-season storms and tropical cyclones developing during these months.
⛈️ An article from Wikipedia about a tropical storm from 2004 that resulted in moderate rain on the island.
🌩️ Tropical Storm Odette, 2003 – left moderate rain and floods.
🌩️ Hurricane Alice, 1954 – outer rainbands brought rainfall to Puerto Rico.
👉 Read Next: My complete guide to the optimal season to travel to Puerto Rico
Is it Safe to Go to Puerto Rico During Hurricane Season?
Visiting Puerto Rico during the hurricane season normally poses little risk as hurricanes do not impact the island in every year. While there is no guaranteed method to avoid hurricanes or anticipate them months in advance, travelers can become aware of a potential effect 5-6 days prior to the time, enough time to create any changes to their trip or take any safety measures.
If visiting Puerto Rico in hurricane season, consider whether travel insurance is worthwhile. It only takes a minute or two to review dozens of quotes from different providers through the VisitorsCoverage website.
📚 Associated Reading:Is it secure to travel to Puerto Rico presently?
Tips for Visiting During Hurricane Season
Monitor the Local Weather
There is no definite way to foresee hurricanes months ahead, but if your trip to Puerto Rico is within two weeks, monitoring the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service websites can provide information about any potential weather threats.
Look for Free-Cancellation Hotels
If you’re traveling during the hurricane season, opt for booking your accommodation at a hotel that offers free cancellation. This way, if plans need to change at the last minute, money won`t be lost or penalty fees paid. With Booking.com, the website`s filters can help locate great hotels with free cancellation in the best areas of Puerto Rico.
Travel During the Summer
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👉 Wanting additional information? Read more in my local guide about the ideal season to travel
Avoid September
September is the peak time of the Atlantic hurricane season. Traveling during this season provides opportunities to save money on hotels and tours, but it remains a period with elevated risk due to weather.
👉 Local Tip: Planning a trip during the summer months, late October or November allows travelers to benefit from discounted rates during the low season without as high a risk. Using Booking.com can help locate hotels offering free cancellations and affordable nightly costs.
Get Travel Insurance
Should you still want to schedule a journey to Puerto Rico amidst the peak of the hurricane season, be sure to acquire travel insurance that addresses you in case there is an unexpected modification of plans. World Nomads insurance covers pre-travel cancellations, additional lodging costs, and medical expenses in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane.
Have Extra Cash Money
During storms and hurricanes, it`s fairly typical for blackouts to take place in Puerto Rico, which also means the ATM system fails to work. If you`re on the island during a hurricane, withdraw cash from your card and keep it handy when needed.
Know the Local Emergency Numbers
If you’re staying on the island while there is an atmospheric event, make sure to know the local emergency numbers like 911 for emergencies, the local police, and the firefighters’ number.
Keep Away from Rivers and Beaches
When storms pass through Puerto Rico, make sure to avoid rivers and beaches due to risks of flooding, storm surges, and dangerous ocean currents. Most casualties during storms are because of floods.
👉 Read Next: My complete guide to the best season to travel to Puerto Rico.
FAQs About Hurricanes & Puerto Rico
How many times has Puerto Rico been hit by hurricanes?
Between the years of 1867 and 2022, Puerto Rico received the direct impact of 30 hurricanes, including 9 major hurricanes rated above category 3.
When was the last hurricane in Puerto Rico?
Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico most recently on September 18th, dumping up to 22 inches of rain across multiple cities and leading to a full power outageisland-wide.
What part of Puerto Rico is safest from hurricanes?
For the small geographic extent of Puerto Rico, hurricanes impact the entire island, irrespective of the hurricane category. If a hurricane passes far to the north or south, the outer rainbands might affect only one section of the island, and contingent on the route, the west coast may be the safest.
What is the rainiest month in Puerto Rico?
The wettest months in Puerto Rico include May, August, and November, but rainfall varies significantly between cities due to Puerto Rico`s terrain. Some central cities, as well as Rio Grande, receive more annual rainfall than other cities in Puerto Rico.
What was the worst hurricane in Puerto Rico?
If someone still wants to book a trip to Puerto Rico during the peak of the hurricane season, make sure to get travel coverage that accounts for any sudden changes of plans. World Nomads insurance covers pre-travel cancellations, additional lodging costs, and medical expenses in case of a tropical storm or hurricane.
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Regardless of when one decides to visit, Puerto Rico offers a great vacation even during the hurricane season! Prior to traveling, do not overlook my guide to the best attractions Puerto Rico – which includes certain truly enjoyable ones!
