Weather & Climate in Race Course, Jamaica
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Race Course has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winters average 76°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 43.0 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 79 feet.
Temperature
76°F Jan (25°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 79.0°F |
| 46% above US avg | |
| January Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Area | 562.7 sq mi (1,457.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 17.8360°N, 77.2855°W |
| Timezone | America/Jamaica |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
75 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 | 76 km | 16 km |
| Jun 13, 2005 | 8 km E of Ulster Spring, Jamaica | M5.2 | 56 km | 2 km |
| May 16, 2011 | 15 km SSW of Black River, Jamaica | M4.7 | 67 km | 28 km |
| Apr 15, 2023 | Saint Thomas, Jamaica | M4.6 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Aug 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Stony Hill, Jamaica | M4.5 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Aug 10, 2002 | 9 km N of Trinity Ville, Jamaica | M4.5 | 83 km | 33 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 27 km SSW of Bluefields, Jamaica | M4.4 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 63 km SW of Negril, Jamaica | M4.4 | 149 km | 46 km |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 9 km S of Buff Bay, Jamaica | M4.4 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2001 | 75 km NNE of Oracabessa, Jamaica | M4.4 | 148 km | 33 km |
| May 6, 2011 | 7 km ENE of Mavis Bank, Jamaica | M4.2 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Dec 21, 2013 | 6 km W of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica | M4.1 | 105 km | 13 km |
| May 2, 2024 | 5 km ENE of Buff Bay, Jamaica | M4.1 | 85 km | 10 km |
| Aug 10, 2002 | 5 km WNW of Trinity Ville, Jamaica | M4.1 | 78 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2024 | 2 km S of Maggotty, Jamaica | M4.0 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2020 | 8 km NNW of Buff Bay, Jamaica | M4.0 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Mar 3, 2018 | 5 km WSW of Hope Bay, Jamaica | M4.0 | 80 km | 14 km |
| Feb 10, 2013 | 3 km W of Darliston, Jamaica | M3.9 | 88 km | 7 km |
| Jul 14, 2008 | 2 km SE of Constant Spring, Jamaica | M3.9 | 58 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 1994 | 5 km SSW of Port Royal, Jamaica | M3.9 | 44 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 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 | 76 km |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 4 | 144 mph | 44 km |
| 2024 | Rafael | Category 1 | 81 mph | 267 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 3 | 115 mph | 64 km |
| 2010 | Tomas | Category 1 | 86 mph | 209 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 1 | 86 mph | 229 km |
| 2007 | Dean | Category 4 | 150 mph | 66 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 5 | 161 mph | 177 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 138 mph | 139 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 5 | 167 mph | 49 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 96 km |
| 2001 | Iris | Category 1 | 86 mph | 67 km |
| 1999 | Lenny | Category 1 | 86 mph | 246 km |
| 1998 | Mitch | Category 4 | 132 mph | 266 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 4 | 132 mph | 41 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 4 | 144 mph | 104 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.5 m (8 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1907 | JAMAICA | Earthquake | 2.5 m | 1,000 | 144 km |
| 1692 | PORT ROYAL | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.8 m | 3,000 | 62 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76°F (25°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 77°F (25°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 77°F (25°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 79°F (26°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 80°F (27°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.2 in | |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 81°F (27°C) | 6.0 in | |
| October | 80°F (27°C) | 8.1 in | Wettest |
| November | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 77°F (25°C) | 2.9 in |
Race Course has a seasonal temperature swing of 5°F / from 76°F in January to 81°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 43.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (8.1") and February the driest (1.3").