Weather Overview for the Maldives
Located just to the southwest of Sri Lanka and India, the Maldives is an island nation that forms one of the most iconic locations in the Indian Ocean.
When Are The Wet and Dry Seasons In The Maldives?
An extremely popular holiday destination, the Maldives is a tropical and perennially hot resort. Its climate displays very little change despite the fact that there are two distinct and well defined seasons.
As the northeast monsoon presides over a wet season that lasts from May to October, it provides a noticeable contrast of the period between November and April, when the sun shines for hours each day and the dry season draws holidaymakers from across the globe.
Just as the average temperature in the Maldives tends not to fluctuate during the calendar year, the weather and climate remains stable across the entire region.
While there is a little more rainfall in the south during the wet season, the temperature often peaks at an average of 30ºC, with cooler periods registering an average of 25ºC throughout the year.
Climate Change Effects On The Maldives
Despite this stability of temperature, however, climate change is providing a threat to the Maldives as a holiday destination and the island nation remains at a significant risk of flooding in the event of increased carbon emissions and global warming.
The Dry Season In The Maldives
The dry season sees a huge influx of visitors, as people travel from across the world to sample the Maldives unique and exotic climate.
The dry season begins at the end of November, which culminates in the northeast monsoon and brings a spell of dry weather and sunshine until the beginning of the following April.
There are an estimated eight hours of sunshine every day during the dry season, during which the water temperature remains high at 25ºC.
Rain is minimal in the dry season and the seas are calmer and more accessible to divers and swimmers.
Temperatures usually register at approximately 29ºC during this season, although the humidity levels are much more comfortable
The Wet Season In The Maldives
Although the temperatures often soar to over 30ºC and humidity rises accordingly, the traditional summer and autumn months also see a great deal of rain and strong winds.
Despite this, there remains a significant number of travellers who choose to visit the Maldives during this period, because of the less expensive flights and accommodation outside of the peak holiday season.
Lasting from the middle of April until the end of October, the wet season rarely experiences temperatures of less than 27ºC, while the peak usually tips the 33ºC.
The average amount of rainfall that tumbles in an average year is 2,540 mm in the north of the island, and slightly higher at 3,810 mm in the south.
Most of the rain falls during June and August, where visitors are also most likely to experience storms and high winds.
The south of the Maldives receives most of the rain because of the southwestern direction of the monsoon winds.
Unusual Weather in the Maldives
The Maldives is the flattest country on Earth and is one of the most endangered nations in terms of flooding from climate change.
Sea levels in the region have risen by more than 20cm in the last century, and further increases could well threaten the shores of the Maldives and its tropical landscape.
Its natural ground level is just a little under 2.4 meters, and sitting just 1.5 meters above sea level. It is becoming increasingly precarious in the face of global warming and its own volatile climate during the wet season.
With this in mind, the islands are undergoing something of a transition as it looks to improve its carbon footprint and preserve its existence.
This issue aside, the Maldives remains an extremely popular holiday destination, which boasts stunning natural beauty and a pleasant and consistent climate.
When Is the Best Time To Visit The Maldives?
Those who enjoy the islands renowned scuba diving should visit during the dry season. And travellers with little to spend may wish to save their money by booking an out of season excursion. Either way, tourists can bank on wonderfully warm weather and a more reliable climate than many neighboring resorts.