Climate Geography of the Maldives

one of many uninhabited islands of maldives.

the temperature of maldives ranges between 24 , 33 °c (75.2 , 91.4 °f) throughout year. although humidity relatively high, constant sea breezes keep air moving. 2 seasons dominate maldives weather: dry season associated winter northeast monsoon , rainy season brought summer southwest monsoon. annual rainfall averages 2,540 millimeters (100 in) in north , 3,810 millimeters (150 in) in south.

the weather in maldives affected large landmass of south asia north. presence of landmass causes differential heating of land , water. scientists cite other factors in formation of monsoons, including barrier of himalayas on northern fringe of south asia , sun s northward tilt, shifts jet stream north. these factors set off rush of moisture-rich air indian ocean on south asia, resulting in southwest monsoon. hot air rises on south asia during april , may creates low-pressure areas cooler, moisture-bearing winds indian ocean flow. in maldives, wet southwest monsoon lasts end of april end of october , brings worst weather strong winds , storms. in may 1991 violent monsoon winds created tidal waves damaged thousands of houses , piers, flooded arable land seawater, , uprooted thousands of fruit trees. damage caused estimated @ us$30 million.

the shift moist southwest monsoon dry northeast monsoon on south asia occurs during october , november. during period, northeast winds contribute formation of northeast monsoon, reaches maldives in beginning of december , lasts until end of march. however, weather patterns of maldives not conform monsoon patterns of south asia. rain showers on whole country have been known persist 1 week during midst of dry season.