Tropical Marine Climates

Several islands and coastal areas located close to the equator experience a a tropical marine climate. These areas such as most of the Caribbean islands and Guyana are located within 10 to 20 degrees north or south of the equator.

Location

Tropical marine climates can be found within the tropics. Specifically 231/2⁰ N and 231/2⁰ S of the Equator. Places located in this region include the West Indies, Central America, the Caribbean coast of South America, the East coast of Brazil, the Philippines.

Climate & Temperature

The prevailing temperature throughout the year is high and uniform but varies slightly as the distance from the equator increases and the position of the overhead sun.

The average temperature during the year is 28 degrees Celsius with an annual range of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.

In some instances the temperature may be modified by the Trade Winds and land and se breeze in countries such as Barbados. The northeast Trade Winds blows across the Atlantic to the islands bringing moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and influencing the temperature.  

These regions are often affected by tropical waves (regions of low pressure) that are associated with heavier rainfall. These tropical waves sometimes develop into a tropical depression or a hurricane. 

Precipitation

This climatic region is marked by seasonal rainfall. There is a dry season and wet season, however, there is rainfall throughout the year with the wettest period being from late summer to early autumn.  Annually, the total rainfall ranges approximately from 1200mm to 2000mm. 

Much of the rainfall is attributed to the trade winds that blow onshore forming relief or orographic type rainfall. However, a considerable amount of convectional type rainfall also results from the moist tropical air masses of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which moves with the seasons.

Natural Vegetation

A number of vegetation types can be identified in the tropical marine climate (See table below). In the Caribbean region, the vegetation varies and zoned with increasing altitude. The dominant type will depend on various factors.

                                                     Table: Types of vegetation found in Tropical Marine Climates