WEATHER IN MAURITIUS Introduction to the local weather from the Meteorological Office Mauritius lies within the south tropical belt and enjoys a maritime type of climate characterised by inild temperatures with relatively small seasonal and diurnal variations. Because of the topography of the island there are significant regional variations so that it is possible, by going from the North to the South of the island, to enjoy a variety of climates. Mauritius is an all-year-round holiday resort saved from extreme temperatures. In the summer months, from November to April, the temperature varies from 20° C to 28° C on the Central Plateau and from 25° C to 33° C on the coast. From May to October, the average temperature is 19° C in the centre of the island, rarely falling under 13° C at night. On the coast, all temperatures are about 5° C higher. The sea temperature approaches 27° C in summertime and is down to 22° C in winter. The hours of daylight are approximately from 05:00 to 19:00 in summer and 06:00 to 17:30 in June, July and August - the winter months. The rainy season occurs from January to March - especially on the Central Plateau. To avoid severe sunburn, adequate sun care products with UVA-filter agents should be used. It is advisable to wear a hat and sunglasses when in the sun during the entire day, especially in the summer months when the sun's rays are scorching hot. Temperature and Humidity In the summer months the average temperature in the North varies between 31° C during the day and 22° C at night. The figures for the winter months are 25/26° C during the day and 16° Cat night. For the Central Plateau the respective figures are 27° C and 21° C for the summer months and 21° Cand 14° Cfor the winter months. However, departures of the order of 3-4 ° C from the average values are quite common. Temperatures for the other regions of the island are in between those for the North and the Central Plateau except for the Port Lonis area where temperatures are generally about 2° C higher than in the North. Humidity Relative Humidity is generally high throughout the year being highest on the Central Plateau (daily average humidity of over 90% all the year round). The least humid region is the West Coast which records average daily values of 75 to 80% throughout the year. In the North average humidity ranges from 70 to 80%. Sunshine The average number of hours of bright sunshine per day is generally around 7 for the island as a whole. The North enjoys one hour more during most of the year. The Central Plateau and the East get around one hour less during winter and the wet summer months. Rainfall Rainfall varies considerably from region to region and throughout the year. The aunual rainfall which is about 1200 millimetres on the North coast increases to around 3,600 mms in wettest part of the Central Plateau. The distribution during the year is qnite uneven with a marked wet period during the summer months and relatively dry period from June to November. This is also reflected in the number of days of rainfall which for the North varies from 7 for the wettest month to 1 in October and November. These are of course average figures. It may happen that, during periods of bad weather, cloudy and rainy conditions may last for three to four consecutive days. Sea Temperature Sea temperatures are generally pleasant throughout the year ranging from 28 ° C in summer to 23/24 ° Cin winter. Strong anticyclones in winter may occasionally cause the sea temperature to fall by 2 or 3 ° C. Cyclones During southern hemisphere summer months i.e from October to April, tropical cyclones originate in the lower latitudes of the south-west Indian Ocean. The average frequency for the region is around 10 per season. Statistically, cyclones are more frequent in January and February. Very few occur at the beginning and end of the season. These storms sometimes affect the Mauritius area with cyclonic winds and abundant rain. Click "Back" on your browser to return to previous page Speak to someone who's been there............0870 42 11 062