Montego Bay weather by month

When to go to Montego Bay

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. May is the wettest month (215 mm, about 24 rainy days) and February the driest (42 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 29.6°C and coolest in February at 26.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Sangster International Airport (MBJ, 4 km from Montego Bay) takes roughly 10 h 12 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Jamaica.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Montego Bay between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.4°C on 25 May 2020; the coldest fell to 17.8°C on 7 March 2018. In July one day in ten tops 32.3°C and about 96% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 21.2°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was May 2007 with 387 mm, against a May average of 215 mm.

December to March: the easiest weather for outdoor plans

This is the strongest stretch if you want warm days without the highest temperatures or most frequent rain. December offers daytime averages of 28°C and a little more overnight warmth than January, while January and February have the joint-lowest number of rain days. February edges ahead for sunshine, averaging 8 hours rather than January's 7 hours. March keeps that sunshine but nudges daytime warmth up to 29°C, with a slight increase in rain days. Pack light clothing and something for showers rather than expecting completely dry weather. These months suit travellers who want plenty of time outside but would rather avoid the hotter summer nights.

April to July: more heat, with a wetter outlook

April is a useful compromise: daytime temperatures reach 30°C and sunshine holds at 8 hours, although rain becomes more frequent. May is the turning point for wetter conditions, with 24 rain days and less sunshine, so leave outdoor plans flexible. June brings hotter days and warmer nights, but its 5 hours of sunshine make it a weaker choice if sunshine is your priority. July improves slightly on that, though it is the hottest month and nights average 26°C. Across this period, favour breathable clothing, shade around midday and accommodation where you can sleep comfortably in the heat. The warmer sea is a plus, but it does not remove the weather trade-off.

August to November: warm water, frequent rain, then improvement

August stays hot at 31°C by day, with warm nights and frequent rain. September has the most rain days, at 26, alongside just 4 hours of sunshine, making it a poor fit for a holiday built around reliable outdoor time. October is slightly cooler but remains similarly short on sunshine and prone to rainy days. The appeal during this stretch is warm water: September's sea average reaches 30°C, though showers can complicate time outside. November marks a clearer improvement, with fewer rain days, more sunshine and daytime temperatures easing to 29°C. It suits travellers happy to accept some rain in return for less intense heat than in late summer.