St. Thomas Cruising Conditions
General Conditions
During the winter months (November to January) the wind is from the northeast at 15-20 knots. The Christmas winds can produce 25-30 knots for several days at a time. In February, the winds move to the east and by June it changes to the southeast at 10-15 knots. In September and October, the trade winds are at their weakest and the weather can be less settled. By November the high pressure system around Bermuda starts to stabilize and 15-20 knot breezes become the norm. Immediate weather conditions can be found at http://www.weather.com.
Local Seas
Local seas are "relaxed" seas and generally in the 3-4 foot range.
Historical Weather (Averages by month):
Month | F Max | F Min | C Max | C Min | Ave Precip (in) | Ave Precip (mm) | Ave Water Temp (F) | Ave Water Temp C | Ave Wind Speed |
January | 83 | 75 | 28 | 24 | 3 | 76 | 77 | 25 | NE 15-25 kts |
February | 83 | 75 | 28 | 24 | 2 | 50 | 77 | 25 | E 15-25 kts |
March | 83 | 75 | 28 | 24 | 2 | 50 | 78 | 26 | E 15-25 kts |
April | 84 | 77 | 29 | 25 | 3 | 76 | 80 | 27 | E 15-25 kts |
May | 86 | 78 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 101 | 82 | 28 | SE 15-20 kts |
June | 88 | 80 | 31 | 27 | 3 | 76 | 83 | 28 | SE 15-20 kts |
July | 88 | 80 | 31 | 27 | 3 | 76 | 84 | 29 | SE 15-20 kts |
August | 88 | 80 | 31 | 27 | 5 | 127 | 85 | 29 | SE 15-20 kts |
September | 88 | 80 | 31 | 27 | 5 | 127 | 84 | 29 | SE 5-15 kts |
October | 87 | 80 | 31 | 27 | 4 | 101 | 83 | 28 | SE 5-15 kts |
November | 85 | 78 | 29 | 26 | 5 | 127 | 82 | 28 | NE 5-20 kts |
December | 83 | 76 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 101 | 80 | 27 | NE 15-25 kts |
Weather Forecasts
Charterers can obtain the weather situation at any time by listening to the maritime weather forecasts. Weather updates are given hourly during severe weather.
- ZBVI 780 kHz AM 8:00am daily and up-date every hour on the ½ hour
- V.H.F. WX 03 (not available in all areas)
- WVWI 1000 Khz AM 7:55 am daily
- FM99 99.5 Mhz AM 7:55 am daily
- WOSO 1030 Khz AM every hour daily
- Weather Fax call 284-496-6900
Tides
In St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands the tide range is very small.