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Weather & Climate in Balaclava, Jamaica
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Balaclava has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 72°F (22°C). Winters average 70°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 193 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 79.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 755 feet.
Temperature
70°F Jan (21°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 72.4°F |
| 34% above US avg | |
| January Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 193 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 755 ft (230 m) |
| Area | 454.6 sq mi (1,177.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 6/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 18.1723°N, 77.6438°W |
| Timezone | America/Jamaica |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
85 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.5.
| Jan 13, 1993 | 3 km N of Easington, Jamaica | M5.5 | 115 km | 16 km |
| Jun 13, 2005 | 8 km E of Ulster Spring, Jamaica | M5.2 | 27 km | 2 km |
| May 25, 1992 | 66 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.7 | 150 km | 33 km |
| Oct 9, 1996 | 90 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.7 | 142 km | 33 km |
| May 16, 2011 | 15 km SSW of Black River, Jamaica | M4.7 | 41 km | 28 km |
| Apr 15, 2023 | Saint Thomas, Jamaica | M4.6 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 1993 | 75 km SSW of Negril, Jamaica | M4.5 | 126 km | 26 km |
| Aug 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Stony Hill, Jamaica | M4.5 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Aug 10, 2002 | 9 km N of Trinity Ville, Jamaica | M4.5 | 119 km | 33 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 63 km SW of Negril, Jamaica | M4.4 | 118 km | 46 km |
| Jan 24, 2001 | 75 km NNE of Oracabessa, Jamaica | M4.4 | 145 km | 33 km |
| May 25, 1992 | 70 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.4 | 147 km | 33 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 27 km SSW of Bluefields, Jamaica | M4.4 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 9 km S of Buff Bay, Jamaica | M4.4 | 105 km | 10 km |
| May 6, 2011 | 7 km ENE of Mavis Bank, Jamaica | M4.2 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Dec 21, 2013 | 6 km W of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica | M4.1 | 58 km | 13 km |
| May 2, 2024 | 5 km ENE of Buff Bay, Jamaica | M4.1 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Aug 10, 2002 | 5 km WNW of Trinity Ville, Jamaica | M4.1 | 116 km | 15 km |
| Jun 14, 2020 | 8 km NNW of Buff Bay, Jamaica | M4.0 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Jun 18, 2024 | 2 km S of Maggotty, Jamaica | M4.0 | 14 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
19 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2025 | Melissa | Category 5 | 190 mph | 37 km |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 4 | 144 mph | 76 km |
| 2024 | Rafael | Category 1 | 81 mph | 216 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 1 | 75 mph | 288 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 3 | 115 mph | 113 km |
| 2010 | Tomas | Category 1 | 81 mph | 257 km |
| 2008 | Paloma | Category 4 | 144 mph | 256 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 1 | 86 mph | 178 km |
| 2007 | Dean | Category 4 | 150 mph | 77 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 5 | 161 mph | 198 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 138 mph | 137 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 5 | 167 mph | 84 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 99 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | 75 mph | 260 km |
| 2001 | Iris | Category 1 | 86 mph | 94 km |
| 1999 | Lenny | Category 1 | 86 mph | 262 km |
| 1998 | Mitch | Category 4 | 144 mph | 276 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 4 | 132 mph | 9 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 4 | 144 mph | 98 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1692 | PORT ROYAL | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.8 m | 3,000 | 108 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 70°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 72°F (22°C) | 6.1 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 10.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 8.6 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 7.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 9.5 in | |
| October | 74°F (23°C) | 12.4 in | Wettest |
| November | 73°F (23°C) | 5.9 in | |
| December | 71°F (22°C) | 3.8 in |
Balaclava has a seasonal temperature swing of 5°F / from 70°F in February to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 79.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (12.4") and February the driest (2.7").