St Maarten SXM Weather

St Maarten SXM Weather

St. Maarten faces cloudy skies and scattered showers today.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) urges the community to stay prepared,

as November remains part of the hurricane season.

Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant as the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season nears its close.

Historically, November has seen significant hurricane activity.

Meteorologists report that in the past 25 years, 17 named storms, including six major hurricanes, formed during November.

Sint Maarten residents remember Hurricane Lenny in 1999, and other November hurricanes include

Michelle (2001), Paloma (2008), Otto (2016), Eta (2020), and Iota (2020).

So far, the 2024 season has produced 15 named storms, with 10 developing into hurricanes, four of which reached major hurricane strength.

The ODM calls on residents and businesses to monitor local weather updates from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) at www.meteosxm.com

or Facebook.com/sxmweather/.

ODM reminds the community to check their disaster supply kits, which should include at least seven days of food and water.

For those who have not yet prepared, the time to act is now—don’t wait until a storm is imminent.

The remaining storm names for the season are Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie, and William.

ODM advises everyone to learn about hurricane hazards and preparedness resources by visiting the Government website at www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane.

Here, residents can download the “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide” and the “Hurricane Tracking Chart”—resources valuable for long-time and new residents alike.

For official updates, tune in to SXMGOV 107.9FM for information before, during, and after a hurricane.

Additionally, follow the government’s Facebook page @SXMGOV for updates, including addresses by the Prime Minister and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) chair.

Stay prepared, remain vigilant, and remember that it only takes one hurricane to make a season impactful. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30.

Breezy conditions continue, with winds blowing northeast to east at 12-20 mph, occasionally gusting higher.

Temperatures reach around 84°F (29°C) during the day and drop to 77°F (25°C) at night. The humidity raises the heat index, making it feel closer to 88°F.

The sea state currently remains moderate to rough.

Waves reach 5 to 8 feet, which keeps a small craft advisory in effect.

Mariners and swimmers need to remain cautious.

A trough brings isolated thunderstorms and stronger winds, especially over flood-prone areas, so residents should stay alert for sudden heavy showers.

Looking into the weekend, the forecast continues with warm and humid conditions under mostly cloudy skies.

Light showers may persist through Saturday, with temperatures hovering in the low 80s°F.

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean

Meteorological Department of St Maarten: A tropical disturbance located in the Caribbean.

Sea has a low to medium (0-40%) chance of formation over the next 2 to 7 days,

as the system moves generally north to northeastward towards the Greater & Lesser Antilles.

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The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor this system and update the public accordingly.

https://www.sxmnews.ai

St Maarten SXM Weather

St Maarten SXM Weather

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean


History of Hurricanes Impacting Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin


  1. Introduction

Sint Maarten and Saint Martin, located in the northeast Caribbean, have faced several devastating hurricanes due to their location in the Atlantic hurricane belt.

Hurricanes frequently impact the islands, leaving trails of destruction and shaping their economy, infrastructure, and society.

This article examines the history of major hurricanes that have directly affected the island,

highlighting each storm’s impact on the Dutch and French sides St Maarten SXM Weather.


  1. Geographic and Meteorological Context
Flood Prone Areas Dutch St Maarten

The geographical location of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin puts them directly in the path of Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.

The surrounding warm waters and favorable atmospheric conditions make the region highly susceptible to severe storms, especially between June and November.


  1. Historical Hurricanes (Pre-20th Century)

Hurricanes have impacted the island since records began, although detailed accounts are sparse.

Oral histories and early colonial reports mention significant storms in the 18th and 19th centuries,

which occasionally wiped out crops, decimated coastal structures, and disrupted the local population’s livelihood.

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean


  1. Early 20th Century Hurricanes (1900–1950)

Although documentation from this period is limited, some hurricanes were recorded to have struck the island.

One notable storm in 1928 severely damaged buildings and vegetation across both the French and Dutch sides, as recorded in historical archives.

These early hurricanes showcased the vulnerability of island infrastructure,

prompting communities to adapt more resilient construction methods.


  1. Significant Hurricanes of the 1950s–1980s

Hurricane Donna (1960): Hurricane Donna, a Category 4 storm, made its way across the Caribbean, affecting Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.

With winds reaching 150 mph, Donna caused widespread devastation, flooding low-lying areas, and flattening wooden structures.

Many residents were displaced, and the storm’s aftermath highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness.

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean

Hurricane Luis (1989): Hurricane Luis was one of the most powerful storms to hit the island in decades.

Striking as a Category 4 hurricane, Luis caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and natural landscapes.

The storm’s heavy rains and high winds also led to severe beach erosion and destruction of local coral reefs, impacting tourism and fishing industries.


  1. Catastrophic Hurricanes in the 1990s

Hurricane Marilyn (1995): Just weeks after Luis, Hurricane Marilyn brought additional destruction to the already battered island.

Marilyn, though less powerful, compounded the damage from Luis, with severe flooding and further structural damage.

Recovery efforts were challenged by the back-to-back hurricanes, forcing the government and international aid agencies to step in.


  1. 21st Century Hurricanes: Rapid Intensification and Destruction

Hurricane Lenny (1999): Unusually, Lenny approached the island from the west, making it a unique threat.

Lenny caused severe flooding, particularly affecting French Saint Martin.

Roads were washed out, homes flooded, and many agricultural lands were ruined, creating economic hardship for the residents.

Hurricane Omar (2008): Omar, although not a direct hit, brought strong winds and storm surges that impacted both sides of the island.

The storm damaged the coastal infrastructure, including marinas and ports, disrupting the tourism industry temporarily.

Saint Martin’s famed beaches suffered significant erosion, sparking discussions about long-term environmental resilience.


  1. Recent Destructive Hurricanes

Hurricane Irma (2017):

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, was one of the most catastrophic hurricanes to strike Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.

With sustained winds reaching 185 mph, Irma devastated the island, leaving nearly all buildings damaged or destroyed.

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean

Dutch and French authorities declared the island a disaster zone.

The storm claimed lives, displaced thousands, and took months of concerted international aid to begin recovery.

Irma highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure, leading to substantial rebuilding efforts with a focus on resilience.

Hurricane Maria (2017): Shortly after Irma, Hurricane Maria skirted the island, exacerbating the damage.

Although it did not hit directly, the rain and winds further destabilized structures and delayed recovery efforts.

Many families and businesses were left vulnerable due to the back-to-back storms,

and the impact on mental health and community resilience became a focal point for recovery initiatives.


Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean
  1. Long-Term Impact on Society and Infrastructure

The cumulative effect of these hurricanes has shaped the island’s infrastructure, prompting stricter building codes and resilience-focused policies.


Hurricanes in Sint Maarten

However, Governments on both sides have invested in more durable construction methods, improved drainage systems, and early warning mechanisms.


  1. Environmental and Economic Consequences

Hurricanes have severely impacted the natural environment, including beaches, coral reefs, and wildlife habitats, which are crucial to the island’s tourism industry.

Each storm brings challenges in restoring these ecosystems.

Economically, the storms have affected tourism revenue, fishing, and other primary industries, leading to fluctuations in the islands’ economies and employment rates.


  1. Modern Mitigation and Preparedness Efforts

In recent years, both Dutch and French governments have improved hurricane preparedness.

Disaster preparedness drills, public awareness campaigns, and investments in emergency infrastructure have become priorities.

However, partnerships with regional and international agencies help provide resources, training, and technology for timely storm responses.



Hurricanes in Sint Maarten

  1. Conclusion

The history of hurricanes on Sint Maarten and Saint Martin underscores the importance of preparation, resilience, and adaptation.

With climate change increasing the intensity of storms, the island continues to adapt, focusing on sustainable development and robust disaster response systems.

Hurricanes have left indelible marks on the island, but they have also inspired stronger communities and better preparedness for future storms. St Maarten SXM Weather



Hurricanes occur frequently in Sint Maarten. On average, they happen about 6 times a year.

However, hurricanes often do not make landfall in Sint Maarten, but turn northward beforehand.

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean

The remnants then cause gusts of wind and rain on land.


The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November


Hurricanes occur frequently in Sint Maarten. On average, they happen about 6 times a year.

However, hurricanes often do not make landfall in Sint Maarten, but turn northward beforehand.

The remnants then cause gusts of wind and rain on land.

The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November


Hurricanes in Sint Maarten
Hurricanes occur frequently in Sint Maarten. On average, they happen about 6 times a year.

However, hurricanes often do not make landfall in Sint Maarten, but turn northward beforehand.

The remnants then cause gusts of wind and rain on land.


The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late Novemb

The most severe hurricane to make landfall in Sint Maarten in the past 12 months was »Ernesto«.

It reached a wind speed of up to 102 km/h on August 13, 2024 at 8:00 pm local time near Cul de Sac and was 65 kilometers in diameter at the time.

According to the internationally accepted Saffir-Simpson classification, this corresponded to a tropical storm hurricane.

On the open sea, speeds of up to 120 km/h were measured (category 1).

Hurricane St Maarten Sint Maarten Saint Martin SXM St Martin Caribbean

In conclusion