Weather of the Bahamas

The weather in the Bahamas is a treat for travelers. Although the chain is made up of over 700 low-lying islands stretching from just east of Florida down into the Caribbean, most of the islands have very similar climates.

The Bahamas temperatures are moderated by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Additionally, because the Bahamas are closer to continental North America - and thus more easily effected by North American cold air systems - they are slightly cooler than other Caribbean islands.

Average temperatures in the Bahamas range from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 32 degrees Celsius) in the summer to 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius) in the winter. The northern Bahamian islands can be even a little cooler. Winds across the Bahamas keep vacations cool in the daytime and help lower the temperatures at night.  Relative humidity is about 65% throughout the year, making temperatures feel a little warmer than they read at times.

The islands rainy season lasts from May to October, dropping an average of 4.3 inches of rain each month.  October sees the heaviest amount, with approximately 8.10 inches, and June comes in at a close second with an average of 8.9 inches of rain.  Still the Bahamas experiences about 310 days of sunshine each year, and averages 8 hours per day.

Although the Bahamas is located in the hurricane belt that lies across most of the Caribbean, many storms bypass the island chain and instead circle below it before heading north toward the United States. Of course, the islands are equipped to respond to a storm if one does hit.

Modern technology offers some reassurance to travelers who want to visit the Caribbean during the hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. Because hurricanes can be tracked from the time they form, travelers should have no problem preparing and canceling travel plans if necessary.

The table below contains selected climatological data for the Bahamas as reported at Nassau International Airport. While some islands are dryer than others, the climate throughout the Bahamas is fairly uniform; this table should give you a good idea of what the weather will be like in a given month, and what trends to expect during your vacation.

All in all, the weather in the Bahamas offers travelers cooling winds and warm temperatures to enjoy nearly every day of their journey.