Humidity

[Jenny C]

We're planning a trip to the Caribbean around October/November time and would like to try Tobago. We're not worried about rain, however my partner doesn't like high humidity. We were wondering if anyone tell us how humid it is and whether it's any worse than other Caribbean islands such as St Lucia. This is the only time of year we can go.

[Rachel Crew]

I think you will find the humidity is not any worse than other caribbean islands; thanks to the trade winds off the atlantic the humidity level is usually relatively low - around 80% or less in winter (a little higher in summer). It can rise on some occasions after heavy rain if the wind speed drops and the temperature rises, but even this tends to be a fairly temporary effect.

[David Watkins]

Jenny,Rachel is correct in that in the lowlands and around the coast it is quite comfortable,you must remember that the Island is mainly rainforest,so if you go inland into tthe forested area the humidity can get oppressive.
David.

[Mandy]

Going to Bacolet in end may beginning June what will the humidity be like? Went to hong kong and that was very high in the 90`s so will it be the same, so i`ll know what to expect.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Mandy

You'll be surprised to hear that the Caribbean seldom suffers the same humidity problems as the Far East.

[Paul Tallet]

The humidity levels are never constant.

Just once have I experienced intolerable levels of humidity and this was for a few days in February 2004, during the dry season, but there was alot of rain about, particularly during the nights.

Generally, humidity levels are linked with the amount of rainfall and therefore less humidity can be expected between December and July and higher humidity during the rest of the year (the wetter season) ... but the levels of humidity will vary on a day to day basis ... it depends on where the airflow is coming from ... the south is the most humid direction.

So June is likely to be one of the least humid months and October/November are likely to have the highest humidity ... but don't always count on it.

Tobago is always likely to be more humid than other Caribbean Islands ... this is because it is at a very low latitude (close to the equator); very close to the South American mainland and it has a proper Rainforest that generates localised precipitation ... it is as tropical as the Caribbean can get.

Having said all this, Jenny's partner should be able to get used to it ... the first few days are often the worst as we adapt ... it is no worse in Tobago than those oppressive English Summer afternoons that we always endure in total silence before the levy finally breaks.