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Weather & Climate in Black River, Jamaica

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Black River has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (26°C). Winters average 76°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 192 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 79.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet.

Temperature

76°F Jan (24°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average78.2°F
45% above US avg
January Average76°F (24°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days192 days/yr

Geography

Elevation16 ft (5 m)
Area454.6 sq mi (1,177.3 km²)
Population Density9/sq mi
Coordinates18.0264°N, 77.8487°W
TimezoneAmerica/Jamaica

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 79.1"
108% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 11.46"
Driest Month (Jan) 2.20"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

72 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.5.

Jan 13, 1993 3 km N of Easington, Jamaica M5.5 134 km 16 km
Jun 13, 2005 8 km E of Ulster Spring, Jamaica M5.2 54 km 2 km
May 16, 2011 15 km SSW of Black River, Jamaica M4.7 15 km 28 km
Apr 15, 2023 Saint Thomas, Jamaica M4.6 144 km 10 km
Apr 14, 1993 75 km SSW of Negril, Jamaica M4.5 100 km 26 km
Aug 10, 2002 9 km N of Trinity Ville, Jamaica M4.5 140 km 33 km
Aug 16, 2024 7 km NNE of Stony Hill, Jamaica M4.5 116 km 10 km
Aug 31, 2011 63 km SW of Negril, Jamaica M4.4 93 km 46 km
Feb 7, 2000 27 km SSW of Bluefields, Jamaica M4.4 28 km 5 km
Sep 22, 2023 9 km S of Buff Bay, Jamaica M4.4 127 km 10 km
May 6, 2011 7 km ENE of Mavis Bank, Jamaica M4.2 132 km 5 km
Dec 21, 2013 6 km W of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica M4.1 42 km 13 km
May 2, 2024 5 km ENE of Buff Bay, Jamaica M4.1 133 km 10 km
Aug 10, 2002 5 km WNW of Trinity Ville, Jamaica M4.1 136 km 15 km
Mar 3, 2018 5 km WSW of Hope Bay, Jamaica M4.0 131 km 14 km
Jun 18, 2024 2 km S of Maggotty, Jamaica M4.0 15 km 10 km
Jun 14, 2020 8 km NNW of Buff Bay, Jamaica M4.0 127 km 10 km
Feb 10, 2013 3 km W of Darliston, Jamaica M3.9 28 km 7 km
Jul 14, 2008 2 km SE of Constant Spring, Jamaica M3.9 114 km 16 km
Feb 15, 1994 5 km SSW of Port Royal, Jamaica M3.9 105 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 18 km
2024 Beryl Category 4 144 mph 54 km
2024 Rafael Category 1 81 mph 205 km
2020 Delta Category 1 75 mph 261 km
2012 Sandy Category 3 115 mph 127 km
2010 Tomas Category 1 81 mph 272 km
2008 Paloma Category 4 144 mph 261 km
2008 Gustav Category 1 86 mph 167 km
2007 Dean Category 4 150 mph 59 km
2005 Emily Category 5 161 mph 173 km
2005 Dennis Category 4 138 mph 164 km
2004 Ivan Category 5 167 mph 61 km
2004 Charley Category 1 86 mph 75 km
2002 Lili Category 1 75 mph 254 km
2001 Iris Category 1 92 mph 72 km
1999 Lenny Category 1 86 mph 239 km
1998 Mitch Category 4 144 mph 252 km
1988 Gilbert Category 4 132 mph 28 km
1980 Allen Category 4 144 mph 125 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 3,000 124 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 76°F (24°C) 2.2 in Driest
February 76°F (24°C) 2.5 in Coldest
March 77°F (25°C) 3.4 in
April 78°F (25°C) 6.8 in
May 79°F (26°C) 11.1 in
June 80°F (26°C) 7.8 in
July 80°F (27°C) 7.6 in
August 80°F (27°C) 9.5 in Warmest
September 80°F (27°C) 9.5 in
October 79°F (26°C) 11.5 in Wettest
November 78°F (26°C) 4.8 in
December 77°F (25°C) 2.4 in

Black River has a seasonal temperature swing of 5°F / from 76°F in February to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 79.1 inches, with October being the wettest month (11.5") and January the driest (2.2").

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