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Wow, I can't believe I didn't look into this before we booked. Evidently, rainfall jumps from less than an inch in March, to a whopping 8 inches in April!! and 9 inches in May! I kind of assumed the hurricane season was the rainy season. It rains alot here in WV in April, and we still don't get 8 inches. So, can someone make me feel better about this?(I layed awake last night worrying that its gonna rain every day) Maybe it rains only at night or something?heehee. Please - someone tell me I didn't screw up too bad.
I've never gone to visit in April, but I can only imagine that if the rainfall was especially bad during hte day in April, they wouldn't have the biggest celebration week(s) of the year then - Carnival. They would move it to a dryer month since Carnival events are outdoors. I think this must be nightly rainfall, just like other times of the year. Go buy yourself more sunblock because I'm sure you'll need it!
Please don't obsess about this! Most days will be sunny. If it rains at all, it will be brief, hard rain and usually at night. It is very unlikely that there will be tropical storm activity during your stay. However, hurricane season is May through November.
I was on St. John last April for a week. It rained once at night, and that's it. Don't worry!!
The people of the Caribbean sum up hurricane season with the following saying:
June - Too Soon;
July - Stand By;
August - Look Out You Must;
September - Remember;
October - All Over.
No worries before August. enjoy!
Lora: If you are awake at night worrying about the weather 9 months in the future, well, I just don't know! 😉 We get the same amount of rain on average as Portland, Oregon- 48" per year, if my memory serves. They get it in slow dribbles over long, gray, rainy winters. We get it in brief tropical showers, frequently early in the morning (4-5 am) and somewhat more frequently, but still briefly, during the rainy season. But usually the brief showers clear up the skies and make for terrific days. We have a saying: No rain, no rainbow.
Have you heard the song: "Don't worry, be happy?" Buy or download it and play it like your mantra! 🙂
Yeah, I knew hurrcane season is like june-nov, and that's why I assumed they would be the wetter months. You know what they say about assuming! I just didn't dream that April would be so wet, even tho it is here. Well, I'm not going to worry too much, our plans are final. I just really freaked when I saw the rainfall chart. I pictured nothing but gray days, and no sunset to be seen from our deck.
Lora,
Having been to STT several times in the spring, I found your info about 8" and 9" inch rainfall averages in April and May hard to imagine. I have some good news for you. According to weather.com http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USVI0006?from=search the average rainfall in April is < 2.5". The 3 heaviest months are Sept - Nov, and they only average 5.5". The bottom line: typically you can expect to enjoy fabulous weather in April. You can also click on WEATHER under menu options at the top of the vinow website to see basically the same thing. You can now officially relax!
Lora,
What the source for your rain info.? WH is right. The sites that I've used for years that have climatology all agree with WH's numbers. April is an excellent time to go. But of course anytime is!
JW in WV
My source was Frommer's Virgin Islands. It is the 8th edition (2005) Page 33 there is a chart at the bottom that has precipitation in inches. You guys have made me feel much better. I'm not worrying, I'm happy!!
We've visited St. Croix for a month from early April to May for two years (2004,2006) and had wonderful weather. One day out of the whole time was very overcast and rainy and we used it to do laundry in the morning, then go browse the shops all afternoon. I ended up with a hook bracelet, so didn't mind the rain one bit! 🙂 I know you'll have a great trip.
Have you ever been to Jouver't when it started to rain? COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
We went in April, and it rained for about 15 minutes on our last day there. The rest of the time was bright and sunny. 🙂
well I've no doubt that we'll have great weather, I just don't know why "Frommer's" has the est. rainfall so high. Misprint?
Lora: Here is a great site for St Thomas weather history: http://www.wunderground.com/US/VI/Saint_Thomas.html When you look at rain averages, remember that this is a tropical climate. We need rain! It is what fills the cisterns and keeps the hills green. Believe me, the chances are it will be sunny and bright when you are here. 🙂
Don't stress! We usually go in April and we've had nothing but gorgeous weather!!!
