The climate is tropical and humid, and Jamaica lies in the hurricane zone. The hurricane season lasts from June to November.
The winds of Jamaica normally blow from the East and are called the Trade Winds. However, there are many variations. Early in the trade wind season, from December through April, Jamaica gets wind from “Northers” that come down from Canada and the United States. These northerlies usually blow for 1 to 3 days and can vary in intensity from mild to quite strong. When a northerly is blowing, the north coast of Jamaica becomes restless and one must work to find a secure anchorage. Aside from Port Antonio in the SE corner and Montego Bay towards the SW corner of the island, there are very few harbors in between that are suitable for a hard northerly blow on the north coast, with the exception of Bogue Lagoon which is a true hurricane hole.
The Trade Winds blow mostly from due east, but on the north coast veer to the north and the winds tend NE on that side. On the south side, the winds veer to the south and the wind is generally south of east on that side. Late in the trade wind season, as you approach summer, the trade winds become SE, and the north shore becomes more protected as it is more in the lee at that time of the year.
The south coast is more secure than the north coast when northerlies blow; but less secure when the rare, but possible, westerly blows through.
Below is a list of harbours on the north coast that can provide refuge when the weather is not good.
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