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Weather & Climate in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Puerto Plata has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 77°F (25°C). Winters average 73°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 222 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 62.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 112 feet.
Temperature
73°F Jan (23°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 76.7°F |
| 42% above US avg | |
| January Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 222 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 112 ft (34 m) |
| Area | 442.7 sq mi (1,146.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 330/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 19.7934°N, 70.6884°W |
| Timezone | America/Santo_Domingo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
267 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.4.
| Sep 22, 2003 | 2 km SE of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | M6.4 | 2 km | 10 km |
| Mar 26, 1991 | 10 km ESE of Cabarete, Dominican Republic | M5.8 | 40 km | 33 km |
| Jul 12, 1994 | 3 km N of Guananico, Dominican Republic | M5.6 | 25 km | 33 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | 17 km N of Sosúa, Dominican Republic | M5.6 | 23 km | 10 km |
| Aug 10, 1998 | 11 km NNW of San José de Ocoa, Dominican Republic | M5.2 | 128 km | 58 km |
| Apr 24, 1996 | 4 km N of Piedra Blanca, Dominican Republic | M5.1 | 108 km | 83 km |
| Jan 23, 2012 | 11 km S of Río San Juan, Dominican Republic | M5.1 | 70 km | 9 km |
| Jun 8, 2007 | 1 km S of Piedra Blanca, Dominican Republic | M5.0 | 114 km | 112 km |
| Jan 18, 1995 | 5 km NNW of Piedra Blanca, Dominican Republic | M5.0 | 107 km | 91 km |
| Oct 29, 2017 | 8 km SSE of San José de Ocoa, Dominican Republic | M4.9 | 149 km | 23 km |
| Oct 28, 2003 | 2 km SW of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | M4.9 | 3 km | 10 km |
| Jul 15, 2013 | 7 km E of San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic | M4.9 | 77 km | 38 km |
| Sep 4, 2009 | 14 km NNE of Villa Vásquez, Dominican Republic | M4.8 | 76 km | 35 km |
| Jun 27, 2002 | 14 km NNW of Villa Vásquez, Dominican Republic | M4.8 | 85 km | 33 km |
| Oct 31, 1995 | 17 km ENE of Cabrera, Dominican Republic | M4.8 | 99 km | 62 km |
| May 18, 2023 | Dominican Republic region | M4.8 | 13 km | 15 km |
| Oct 16, 2003 | 3 km S of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | M4.8 | 4 km | 10 km |
| Mar 26, 1991 | 10 km NNE of Cabarete, Dominican Republic | M4.8 | 35 km | 14 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | Dominican Republic region | M4.8 | 4 km | 10 km |
| Sep 22, 2003 | 5 km E of Guananico, Dominican Republic | M4.8 | 21 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
18 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Oscar | Category 1 | 86 mph | 179 km |
| 2022 | Fiona | Category 3 | 115 mph | 76 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 81 mph | 55 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 5 | 167 mph | 105 km |
| 2017 | Maria | Category 3 | 127 mph | 133 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 3 | 121 mph | 68 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 4 | 132 mph | 149 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 1 | 92 mph | 291 km |
| 2008 | Hanna | Category 1 | 86 mph | 275 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 4 | 138 mph | 221 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 1 | 81 mph | 209 km |
| 2000 | Debby | Category 1 | 75 mph | 273 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 3 | 121 mph | 111 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 285 km |
| 1996 | Hortense | Category 3 | 115 mph | 122 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 3 | 115 mph | 223 km |
| 1987 | Emily | Category 3 | 121 mph | 123 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 92 mph | 191 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.6 m (2 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1946 | NORTHEASTERN COAST | Earthquake | 0.6 m | 75 | 129 km |
| 1751 | AZUA DE COMPOSTELA | Earthquake | — | — | 144 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 73°F (23°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| March | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 76°F (24°C) | 6.0 in | |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 6.1 in | |
| June | 80°F (26°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 80°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 79°F (26°C) | 5.6 in | |
| November | 76°F (24°C) | 8.9 in | Wettest |
| December | 73°F (23°C) | 8.9 in |
Puerto Plata has a seasonal temperature swing of 7°F / from 73°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 62.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (8.9") and July the driest (2.7").