Climate;

The climate of Puerto Rico falls into the tropical climatic zone. Temperatures are moderate year round, averaging near 80 °F (27 °C) in lower elevations and 70 °F (21 °C) in the mountains. Easterly trade winds pass across the island year round. Puerto Rico has a rainy season which stretches from April into November.The mountains of the Cordillera Central are the main cause of the variations in the temperature and rainfall that occur over very short distances. Temperatures range from 70 °F (21 °C) to 90 °F (32 °C) in the lower elevations, while higher elevations in the central part of the island experience temperatures between 60 °F (16 °C) and 80 °F (27 °C) year round. Between winter and summer, there is only a temperature swing of around 6 °F (4 °C). This is mainly due to the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic ocean, which significantly modify cooler air moving in from the north and northwest. Persistent 19-knot (35 km/h) trade winds move from east to west across the island year round.In puerto rico there are many tropical cyclones, which pass by every 5 years. Puerto Rico experiences the Atlantic hurricane season, similar to the remainder of the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic oceans. On average, a quarter of its annual rainfall is contributed from tropical cyclones, which is more prevalent during periods of La Niña than El Niño. A cyclone of tropical storm strength passes near Puerto Rico, on average, every 5 years. A hurricane passes in the vicinity of the island, on average, every 11 years. Only one category 5 hurricane has struck the island since 1851, the Lake Okeechobee Hurricane of September 1928.