Climate

There are significant differences in the climate in Maldives of Northern Atolls and Southern Atolls. The South Atoll has more rainfall than North Atoll. The North experiences higher temperature and less showers than that of South Atoll. 

Maldives Climate is determined mainly by the monsoons. There are two monsoon seasons in Maldives. The northeast monsoon, called “iruvai”, brings very little shower and wind from November to April while the southwest monsoon called “halhangu”, brings heavy rain and gales from June to August.  
The shift from the moist southwest monsoon to the dry northeast monsoon over Maldives occurs during October and November. During this period, the northeast winds contribute to the formation of the northeast monsoon, which reaches Maldives in the beginning of November and lasts until the end of April.

Maldives is in the Equatorial belt, so severe tropical storms and cyclones are extremely rare events. But cyclones from the Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea, form dark clouds over Maldives and cause spells of rain and showers. The weather in the North may deteriorate considerably as a result, but there is little effect on the southern islands.

The wet season is from June to September when the Southwest monsoon is firmly set. There are frequent gales and the sea becomes quite rough during this season.

The hot season is in March and April. Frequent light North East winds and variable sea breezes are experienced at this time of the year.

The transitional period between monsoons begins in April and by the end of May the winds are predominantly W-SW. The transitions of seasons occur with light showers at daytime and cool temperature at night. Cyclones from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are usually felt during this transitional period.

The best time to visit Maldives is during the dry season that is from December to April when climate in Maldives generally remains warm with a pleasant sky and excess of sunshine.