Guadeloupe .net
Alizés Guadeloupe
One consequence of the trade winds in Guadeloupe is the distribution of rainfall. The trade winds travel long distances over the ocean, during which they pick up moisture; when they reach the coast, these water-laden winds release their excess in intense rain. The phenomenon is well known in tropical zones and is called pot noir.
This is particularly the case on certain peaks, notably the Soufrière in Guadeloupe but also Mount Pelée in Martinique. As a result, rainfall amounts in the eastern regions and especially on the eastern coasts of the islands are much higher than inland or on the west coast. The climate of the Antilles and of Guadeloupe is therefore explained in part by the movement of these winds.
Between December and May the Azores High moves south and the trade winds arrive directly from the northeast, carrying little moisture. Conversely, between June and November the high moves north while the trade winds arrive from the south directly over the island. Laden with moisture after traveling at length over the sea, they cause heavy showers.
In Guadeloupe it is the east coast that is swept by these trade winds, which nevertheless move at a relatively low speed. Indeed, these winds rarely exceed 30 kilometers per hour and blow at an average of 20 kilometers per hour. The west of the island is therefore relatively protected, notably by the relief, which captures most of the rain and partly blocks the cloud mass. This phenomenon ultimately allows such a small area to have fairly varied climates from one kilometer to the next. Guadeloupe has two seasons: the rainy season, when the trade winds sweep the island laden with water, and the dry season, when the winds are less loaded and blocked by the Azores High.
