Are you snowed-in?

It is the middle of February, and snow is falling on the Northeastern United States.  Schools are closed, buses and trains are at a stand-still and people are skiing down 5th Avenue.  The contingency plan at the hospital where I worked advised: "plan to stay for double shifts".  

Where would I'd rather be?

Puerto Rico, for sure.  Here is the temperature there right now. 

Here are three key points about the weather in Puerto Rico that will help you plan your next vacation.

• Rain?  What rain?:  When you look up the 10 day weather forecast for Puerto Rico, the websites will give you the rain forecast for the whole island.  I can tell you that it rains somewhere on the island every day.  Remember, we have a tropical rain forest (El Yunque) and a central mountain range that gets some rain almost every day.  This explains the lush, green landscapes, the many rivers and the fertile soil.  
  

      For a more accurate estimate of the weather that you can expect when you travel to Puerto Rico, search for the town where you will be staying.  Even if the forecast calls for rain, don't be discouraged.  Clouds come and go as they are brought in by the tropical breezes.  Oftentimes, a sudden rainfall will be quickly followed by bright sunshine - and a rainbow.

• Too hot, too hot to handle?: Again, this depends on where you are on the island.   The climate of the island is tropical and warm all year round.  The average temperatures go from highs in the 80's degrees F (27 degrees C) to 70's (21oC) in the cooler months (December to April).  The hotter months are July and August, but even then it is quite pleasant.  It is amazing to think that there is only about a 6 degree (3.3 C) temperature change between winter and summer, so basically your wardrobe does not change much more than to maybe add a light sweater.
  

Also, remember that Puerto Rico is a small island, is is 100 miles (160 km) east to west by  35 miles (56 km) north to south.  Pretty much anywhere you go there is an ocean breeze that makes the heat less intense.  In the central mountains, it is much cooler.  It has been known to sleet there! 
So no, I don't think it will be too hot for you. 

• What if there is a hurricane?:  The official hurricane season is June through November, although that seems like almost half the year, fear not!  This "season" only indicates the months of the year when tropical storms can happen .  It does not mean that they happen every year or that this is the rainy season. 
  

Historically, Puerto Rico has only had major storms years apart, much less often than Florida, for example.  The last major hurricane was in 1998, Hurricane George and Hurricane Hugo in 1989.  The one before had been in 1932.  Most storms, when they happen, have happened in the month of September.  We are have been truly blessed! 

If there were a storm during your stay, you would be alerted by all media.  Infrastructure in Puerto Rico is very advanced, with most homes and buildings made of concrete that can withstand strong winds.  Just check any weather advisories and follow all instructions from officials.  If you rented one of our apartments during your stay, we will ensure that you are in a safe place.

So, think about the weather where you are now.  Then think about the weather in Puerto Rico.  Where would you rather be? :)