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Weather & Climate in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Montego Bay has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (25°C). Winters average 75°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 199 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 75.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet.
Temperature
75°F Jan (24°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 77.7°F |
| 44% above US avg | |
| January Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 199 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Area | 22.8 sq mi (59.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,630/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 18.4712°N, 77.9188°W |
| Timezone | America/Jamaica |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
102 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.7.
| Jan 28, 2020 | 123 km NNW of Lucea, Jamaica | M7.7 | 137 km | 15 km |
| May 25, 1992 | 56 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M6.8 | 127 km | 23 km |
| Feb 4, 2007 | 108 km NNW of Lucea, Jamaica | M6.2 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Aug 26, 1990 | 58 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M5.5 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Sep 15, 2011 | 65 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M5.2 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Jun 13, 2005 | 8 km E of Ulster Spring, Jamaica | M5.2 | 53 km | 2 km |
| Jul 24, 2020 | 81 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M5.1 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 114 km NNW of Lucea, Jamaica | M4.9 | 128 km | 10 km |
| May 25, 1992 | 59 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.8 | 120 km | 33 km |
| May 25, 1992 | 66 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.7 | 115 km | 33 km |
| Oct 9, 1996 | 90 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.7 | 103 km | 33 km |
| Sep 19, 2004 | 64 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.7 | 125 km | 15 km |
| May 16, 2011 | 15 km SSW of Black River, Jamaica | M4.7 | 63 km | 28 km |
| Jan 3, 2004 | 64 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.6 | 123 km | 0 km |
| Aug 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Stony Hill, Jamaica | M4.5 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Nov 9, 2017 | 75 km SW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.5 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 1993 | 75 km SSW of Negril, Jamaica | M4.5 | 122 km | 26 km |
| Jul 2, 1996 | 60 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.4 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 27 km SSW of Bluefields, Jamaica | M4.4 | 64 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 1992 | 70 km SSW of Niquero, Cuba | M4.4 | 112 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 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 | 23 km |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 4 | 144 mph | 85 km |
| 2024 | Rafael | Category 1 | 81 mph | 177 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 1 | 86 mph | 288 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 3 | 115 mph | 151 km |
| 2010 | Tomas | Category 1 | 81 mph | 297 km |
| 2008 | Paloma | Category 4 | 144 mph | 213 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 4 | 132 mph | 293 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 1 | 86 mph | 140 km |
| 2007 | Dean | Category 4 | 150 mph | 109 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 5 | 161 mph | 214 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 150 mph | 135 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 5 | 167 mph | 100 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 92 mph | 111 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | 75 mph | 217 km |
| 2001 | Iris | Category 1 | 92 mph | 119 km |
| 1999 | Lenny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 284 km |
| 1998 | Mitch | Category 4 | 144 mph | 294 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 4 | 132 mph | 53 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 4 | 144 mph | 82 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis 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 | 149 km |
| 2020 | OFF SE COAST OF CUBA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 137 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 75°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 75°F (24°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 76°F (24°C) | 3.3 in | |
| April | 77°F (25°C) | 5.5 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 9.8 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 7.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 in | |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 8.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 80°F (26°C) | 9.1 in | |
| October | 79°F (26°C) | 10.3 in | Wettest |
| November | 78°F (25°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 in |
Montego Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 5°F / from 75°F in February to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 75.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (10.3") and February the driest (2.9").