The climate of Gracias
Tropical wet and dry conditions, or the savanna climate, characterize
Gracias,
Honduras's weather, according to the Köppen climate classification. This is illustrated by the high temperatures and large amount of rainfall throughout the year.
Heat typically fluctuates around a high of 24°C (75.2°F) to a peak of 30°C (86°F), while lows range from 14°C (57.2°F) to 18°C (64.4°F). There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Gracias, with recorded precipitation ranging from 20mm (0.79") to 334mm (13.15") monthly. The months from
May to
September register the highest volumes, while the dry period occurs from
December through
March.
Pattern changes surrounding daylight and sunshine hours are also noticeable. Maximum daylight hours peak at 13 hours during
June, decreasing gradually to 11.3 hours by December. On the other hand, sunshine hours oscillate between 5 and 8 hours, with more sunny hours during the first half of the year and less in the latter.
The best time to visit Gracias
The optimal period for visiting
Gracias occurs from
November to
March. During those months, the city experiences the least rainfall, varying from 20mm (0.79") in March to 68mm (2.68") in November. Additionally, lower UV indices at this time mean less extreme sun exposure, with the index progressing from 9 in
December to 10 in November, down from the peak of 12 seen through the middle of the year.
Also worth mentioning is the relatively lower heat during these months, with high temperatures ranging from 24°C (75.2°F) in December to 27°C (80.6°F) in March.
The worst time to visit Gracias
June through
September is generally deemed challenging for tourists due its heavy rainfall, amounting from 246mm (9.69") to 334mm (13.15") with 22 to 23 days of rain every month. The temperature during this period peaks at 30°C (86°F) in
April but remains high around 29°C (84.2°F) in
May and 27°C (80.6°F) from June to September. High UV index levels of 12 can also prove to be intense for some visitors during this period.
Spring weather in Gracias
The spring in
Gracias, from
March through
May, holds variable conditions. Rainfall increases from a low 20mm (0.79") in March to an astounding 157mm (6.18") in May. Meanwhile, temperatures are consistently high with peaks of 28°C (82.4°F) and 30°C (86°F) in March and
April, respectively, and dropping slightly to 29°C (84.2°F) in May.
Summer weather in Gracias
Substantial rainfall marks the summer months in
Gracias, peaking at their highest in this season. Precipitation volumes range from 246mm (9.69") in
August to 334mm (13.15") in
September. The high temperatures remain fairly constant at 27°C (80.6°F), with daylight hours at their longest, holding at 13 hours in
June and steadily reducing to 12.2 hours by September.
Autumn weather in Gracias
Gracias's autumn, from
September through
November, displays a decrease in rainfall, going from 334mm (13.15") in September to 68mm (2.68") in November. With the reduction in rain, daytime sunshine increases slightly to 6 hours. The high temperatures remain relatively stable between 25°C (77°F) and 27°C (80.6°F) in autumn, with the UV index retreating from 12 in September to 10 in November.
Winter weather in Gracias
The winter period from
December to
February in
Gracias is the driest phase of the year. Rainfall drops significantly to 45mm (1.77") in December to 22mm (0.87") in February. While the average high temperature settling between 26°C (78.8°F) and 24°C (75.2°F). Sunshine hours are slightly reduced to 5 hours in
January and February, following the trend of scaled-back daylight hours, from 11.5 in
November to 11.3 in December. The UV index level also drops to a comparatively lower range, from 9 in December to 12 in February.
Weather in January
The start of the year in
Gracias,
Honduras features reasonably mild temperatures and a moderate amount of rainfall. Notably, the lowest temperatures recorded throughout the year are in
January, ranging from 14°C (57.2°F) to 24°C (75.2°F).
Weather in January »Weather in February
February witnesses a shift from the relatively cooler conditions of
January to a slightly warmer environment. Increased sunshine hours characterise this weather change, with the UV index reaching a peak of 12. Despite the rise in temperature, rainfall is quite reduced, marking February as one of the driest months of the year.
Weather in February » Weather in March
As
March sets in,
Gracias experiences a steady climb in temperatures, a characteristic that hints at the onset of summer. Displaying one of the least amounts of rainfall days, with a total of 5 days, March records fewer showers compared to previous months.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Gracias,
Honduras denotes the beginning of the rainy season as precipitation levels rise significantly to 43mm (1.69"). A slight increase in temperatures also accompanies this weather change, marking peak daytime temperatures.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May brings about heavier rainfall, with precipitation levels skyrocketing to a notable 157mm (6.18"). The high rainfall marks the full onset of the rainy season, resulting in increased cloud cover. Subsequently, sunshine hours see a slight reduction even though daylight hours reach their longest duration.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June witnesses a rise in rainfall to its highest level of the year, reaching 300mm (11.81"). With nearly double the amount of rainfall days compared to
May, June could accurately be dubbed the rainiest month in
Gracias. The heavy downpours result in a cloudy sky, limiting sunlight and the overall UV index.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is slightly less wet than
June, with rainfall decreasing to 262mm (10.31") but maintaining the high number of days with substantial showers. The daily dose of showers play into maintaining a constant temperature range, keeping the days and nights reasonably warm.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August continues the trend of high rainfall with a slight decrease from the
July figure to 246mm (9.69"). Even with the frequent showers, temperatures remain stable, maintaining the warmth carried over from the past months. Intense cloud cover deprives the city of its fair share of sunshine hours, pushing the city into longer periods of duskiness.
Weather in August » Weather in September
In
September, the highest precipitation levels of the year are recorded, culminating at 334mm (13.15"). This heavy rainfall, coupled with a high frequency of rainy days, results in a cloudy atmosphere for most of the month. On the flip side, daylight hours decrease and reach an all-year low.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October brings with it a reduction in rainfall to 184mm (7.24") and a corresponding decrease in the number of rainy days. Still, the weather remains predominantly cloudy, limiting sunshine hours. The temperature range remains stable, with no significant rise or drop.
Weather in October » Weather in November
Similar to the months preceding it,
November's weather in
Gracias endures lower rainfall levels. The significant reduction in the shower frequency to 68mm (2.68") marks the tail end of the rainy season. Cloud cover gives way to longer sunshine durations, drawing out a gradual return to classic summer weather.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December weather bears witness to the lowest rainfall of the year, dropping significantly to 45mm (1.77"). This drop characterises the transition from a predominantly wet
November to a relatively dry December. The reduction in cloud cover signals more sunshine hours and stable temperatures.
Weather in December »