Weather in Carolina, Puerto Rico
Flowers spill across the islands. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Light Drizzle97%88°77°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle67%88°76°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle67%89°75°
- WednesdayMay 20Heavy Drizzle76%82°74°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Drizzle58%88°75°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle64%88°74°
- SaturdayMay 23Light Drizzle85%87°76°
- PM 2.5
- 8.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 16.1 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 45.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:12 AM
- Moonset
- —
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Flowers spill across the islands
Carolina at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 15°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: December 7 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| April | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | — | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Carolina's warmest month is August (~85°F mean) and its coldest is January (~69°F). Rainfall peaks in September (8.2 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 69° | 2.1″ | 7 |
| February | 71° | 2.0″ | 7 |
| March | 73° | 2.2″ | 7 |
| April | 77° | 3.3″ | 11 |
| May | 80° | 4.8″ | 16 |
| June | 83° | 7.9″ | 25 |
| July | 84° | 5.8″ | 19 |
| August | 85° | 6.9″ | 23 |
| September | 83° | 8.2″ | 25 |
| October | 81° | 7.9″ | 25 |
| November | 76° | 3.3″ | 11 |
| December | 72° | 2.5″ | 8 |
Regional context
Carolina falls within a broader climate region where nearby cities share comparable temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: San Juan, PR, Aguadilla, PR, Bayamón, PR, Arecibo, PR, Ponce, PR.
Naturalist notes
By late May, flame trees (Delonix regia) send out their first scarlet blooms across the coastal lowlands, a reliable signal that the wet season is about to intensify.
Gray kingbirds return to open perches along roadsides and power lines in April and May, their sharp calls marking the onset of the summer breeding period.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Carolina?
- Carolina's last spring frost typically falls around mid-February, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Carolina?
- September is the wettest month with about 8.2 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 57 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Carolina?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 85°F.
- What is the coldest month in Carolina?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 69°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Carolina?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-February); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Carolina get?
- Carolina averages about 184 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Carolina?
- Carolina's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Carolina, Puerto Rico occupies a varied climate zone. January temperatures hold near 69°F, while July averages 84°F — a 15°F seasonal swing.
Over the course of a year, Carolina picks up about 57 inches of precipitation spread across roughly 184 rainy days.
Latitude (18.4°N), nearby water bodies, and elevation set the yearly rhythm. Together they shape what grows, when frost is possible, and the day-to-day feel of the weather.