Читать книгу VI Settler's Handbook - Mr. Cheyenne Harty - Страница 7

The Virgin Islands proximity to the equator means that year-round, the length of the days are fairly consistent and the weather tropical. Residents lament the “cold” temperatures in January and February when the thermometer can dip to below 70 degrees F in the evening or early morning hours. That’s long-sleeved shirt or sweater weather for those who are acclimatized. In the winter mid-day temperatures range from the high 70s to the mid-80s. In the summer, it’s hot with a mid day range in the mid-80s to mid-90s. The record low is 57 and the record high 99. The year round 80 percent humidity is mitigated by the near-constant tradewinds. The annual average rainfall is about 43 inches. While statistics show September-October and May-June as the rainiest months, downpours can occur any time. One year may be extremely wet and the next very dry. The western ends of the islands get the most rain. One obvious indication is the scrub and cactus on the eastern end of St. Croix and the so-called rain forest near Frederiksted in the west. In 1994, only 26 inches of rain fell, 17 inches less than average and again in 2015 only 18 inches fell by September. The droughts caused hardships for all the islands’ residents who depend on rainfall to meet their agricultural, personal and household needs. A day-long downpour, however, can fill the water-saving cisterns. One or two day’s worth of such rain can turn the brown hillsides to an emerald green. Hurricane season lasts from June l till November 30. Of the island weather it is often said, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it will change!