Weather in Philipsburg

Planning your trip or simply a full day in Philipsburg? Here you will find the most up-to-date weather information: current conditions, detailed forecasts, and visual charts to ensure nothing dampens your plans!

Philipsburg, located in Sint Maarten, is characterised by a tropical climate, ensuring pleasant warm weather throughout the year. Average annual temperatures here are very stable, fluctuating mainly between 24°C and 28°C. This creates ideal conditions for a holiday, regardless of which month you choose for your trip.

Instead of clearly defined seasons, in Philipsburg, one can observe periods with varying amounts of rainfall. The first half of the year, roughly from January to June, is generally drier, with minimal rainfall (about 1 mm per month) and fewer rainy days, especially in March and April. Starting from July, the amount of precipitation and rainy days gradually increases, reaching a peak in September (7 mm of rainfall and 22 rainy days) and October. Nevertheless, even during these months, rains are often short-lived, quickly giving way to the sun.

Philipsburg experiences an exceptionally stable and warm temperature regime throughout the year, making it attractive to visit in any season. Average monthly temperatures here practically never drop below 24°C and rarely rise above 28°C. The annual range of average temperatures is very narrow, fluctuating from approximately 24.8°C in February to 27.5°C in September, indicating the mild tropical climate of Sint Maarten.

The hottest months in Philipsburg are August and September. During this period, the average air temperature holds at 27.4°C - 27.5°C, with maximum daytime values reaching 28.1°C - 28.3°C. The weather in these months feels consistently hot. The so-called "winter" months, especially February (average temperature 24.8°C), January (25.1°C), and March (24.9°C), bring the "coolest" weather of the year, although it remains very warm and comfortable, with minimum night-time temperatures around 24.2°C - 24.5°C and daytime highs around 25.5°C - 25.8°C. A characteristic feature of Philipsburg's climate is the very small difference between day and night temperatures, which usually amounts to just 1-1.5°C. This ensures a pleasant air temperature around the clock, making your holiday comfortable at any time of day.

In Philipsburg, there is a fairly clear division of the year into drier and wetter periods, although the absolute amount of precipitation in millimetres remains comparatively low year-round. The first half of the year, from January to June, is characterised by minimal precipitation – just 1 mm per month. However, despite this, the number of days with precipitation (wet days) during this period can be significant, especially in January (17 days). This suggests that the rains at this time are likely very light and short-lived.

The driest months, in terms of rain frequency, are March (9 rainy days) and April (10 rainy days), while rainfall remains at the level of 1 mm. This indicates that the probability of encountering rain is lowest in these months. Snow is completely uncharacteristic for Philipsburg, given its tropical location and high temperatures; all precipitation falls as rain.

Starting from July, the amount of precipitation and rainy days gradually increases, forming a wetter season that reaches its peak in September. In this month, an average of 7 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days reaches 22. October and November also remain quite wet, with 4 mm and 3 mm of precipitation and 19 rainy days respectively. By December, the amount of precipitation decreases slightly (2 mm), but the number of rainy days remains relatively high (17 days). Even in the "wettest" months, rains in Philipsburg often take the form of tropical downpours, which can be intense but brief, quickly replaced by sunny weather.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Philipsburg, plan for year-round tropical heat. The basis of your wardrobe should be light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics: T-shirts, shorts, skirts, sundresses, and, of course, several swimsuits. Given the consistently high air temperature, which rarely drops below 24-25°C, you are unlikely to need warm clothes. However, do not forget about reliable sun protection: sunscreen with high SPF, quality sunglasses, and headwear (a hat or cap) are mandatory attributes of your holiday in Sint Maarten.

Although the weather in Philipsburg is generally very pleasant, it is worth considering some nuances related to precipitation. Despite the total amount of rainfall in millimetres being small, especially in the first half of the year, the number of days with possible rain can be significant. This means that brief, light showers are quite probable. Therefore, a compact folding umbrella or a light raincoat will not take up much space in your luggage but may prove very useful, especially if your trip falls during the period from July to October, when the probability of precipitation is slightly higher. For comfortable walks around the city and exploring the island, choose comfortable shoes – sandals, espadrilles, or light breathable trainers.

The principle of layering clothing for Philipsburg is relevant in its lighter version. A light long-sleeved shirt or a thin cardigan will come in handy not only for protection from the sun but also for evening walks along the coast, where a refreshing breeze may blow, or for visiting air-conditioned places. Also, do not forget insect repellent, especially for the evening or if you plan trips into nature. And, of course, a reusable water bottle will help maintain water balance in the hot climate.