Pleasant Weather

As indicated in previous posts, humidity levels in the Caribbean were giving us some asthma trouble during the rainy season and we felt it was time to go to a new location that was more dry to help with health issues. Bronchial issues that lead to lung infections and perhaps pleurisy (again) are not fun.

So we thought it might be interesting to compare some weather indicators that might help us make decisions on where it would be better for us to live year round. Many expats choose to be snowbirds and only visit warm locations when it is cold in the great white north. However, it is important for our purposes to experience year-round conditions as we are seeking a more permanent life in the tropics. We did some research on our "fun in the sun" locations and found there was a big difference in measurable humidity comfort levels. Adding more rain to the heat seemed to make it worse...

Here is what we found in graph format. Several graphs are included in this post (source is weatherspark.com - please visit the site for more details) to compare temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Mazatlan is just south of the Tropic of Cancer. Because we lived in Puerto Vallarta we have included charts for that location as well. Grenada and Barbados are almost identical so we have only mentioned Grenada here.

Temperature:

Grenada - There is no big variation in temperature throughout the year with the average high at about 30°C. and the average low of about 25°C. regardless of season.

Mazatlan - The hot season lasts for 4.6 months, from June 7 to October 28, with an average daily high temperature above 31°C. The hottest day of the year is July 26, with an average high of 32°C and low of 25°C. The cool season lasts for 3.5 months, from December 12 to March 28, with an average daily high temperature below 27°C. The coldest day of the year is January 23, with an average low of 13°C and high of 26°C.

Puerto Vallarta - The hot season lasts for 4.5 months, from June 9 to October 26, with an average daily high temperature above 31°C. The hottest day of the year is August 2, with an average high of 32°C and low of 25°C. The cool season lasts for 3.8 months, from December 12 to April 4, with an average daily high temperature below 28°C. The coldest day of the year is January 23, with an average low of 16°C and high of 27°C.

***...Not really a massive difference in temperature between all three sunny locations - basically nice and warm all year long with no chance of ice or snow - but Mazatlan and PV do have a small temperature drop during winter months.

Humidity:

“Humidity” is the invisible amount of water vapour in the air. Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air will begin condensing to form dew on the grass, or mist and fog in the air. Lower dew points feel drier, and higher dew points feel more humid. We also found out that humidity comfort levels are based on the dew point, as it determines whether perspiration will evaporate from the skin, thereby cooling the body. If your perspiration will not evaporate then it will run down your back into your butt crack. The dew point tends to change more slowly, so while the temperature may drop at night, a muggy day is typically followed by a muggy night.

There is evidence to suggest that hot / humid air can irritate the airway and lead to the type of inflammation that triggers asthma symptoms. Researchers found that people with asthma experienced airway restriction when breathing very hot air for an extended period of time while people without asthma did not. This indicates that heat itself may be a cause of airway inflammation and asthma. Warm, moist air also creates an ideal environment for dust mites to grow and multiply. Mold also tends to proliferate and spread during the summer for the same reason. It's even worse if you are allergic to these irritants as they can aggravate your asthma symptoms and trigger an attack. Living in 50 to 60 humidity levels would be considered about right - not too dry and not too humid.

These charts show the perceived humidity levels that a person would feel, as measured by the percentage of time in which the humidity comfort level is dry air (blue), comfortable (green), slightly humid (cream), muggy (light peach colour), oppressive (bright pink), or miserable (red).

Grenada - In Grenada, the humidity comfort level does not vary significantly over the course of the year. It is almost always considered either "oppressive" or "miserable" and remaining somewhat a constant 100% humidity throughout the year. No wonder we could sit quietly in the shade and still feel sweat running down our bodies... even with a beer in hand...

Mazatlan - Mazatlán experiences some seasonal variation in perceived humidity levels and are much lower than what we experienced in Grenada. The muggy period of the year in Mazatlan lasts for 6.7 months, from May 6 to November 27, during which time the comfort level is muggy, oppressive, or miserable, with miserable about 28% of the time. About 1/4 of a given year.

Puerto Vallarta - Puerto Vallarta experiences some seasonal variation in the perceived humidity and the oppressive or miserable time frame is longer in Puerto Vallarta than that in Mazatlan. The muggy period of the year lasts for 8.3 months, from April 9 to December 19, during which time the comfort level is muggy, oppressive, or miserable, with miserable about 51% of the time. About 1/2 of a given year.

Rainfall:

To show variation within the months and not just the monthly totals, the graphs show the rainfall accumulated over a sliding 31-day period centered around each day of the year - hence the graduated shaded blue rather than a hard line.

Grenada - The rainy period of the year lasts for 10 months, from March 29 to February 2, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 13 millimeters. The most rain falls during the 31 days centered around November 10, with an average total accumulation of 122 millimeters - with rainfall and moist air almost daily. The rain-less or dry period of the year lasts for 1.8 months, from February 2 to March 29. The least rain falls around March 5, with an average total accumulation of 7 millimeters.

Mazatlan - Mazatlán experiences extreme seasonal variation in monthly rainfall. The general rainy period of the year lasts for 8.4 months, from May 31 to February 11, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 13 millimeters. The most rain falls during the 31 days centered around September 1, with an average total accumulation of 181 millimeters. The rain-less or dry period of the year lasts for 3.6 months, from February 11 to May 31. The least rain falls around April 5, with an average total accumulation of 2 millimeter.

Puerto Vallarta - Puerto Vallarta also experiences extreme seasonal variation in monthly rainfall. Heavy rain lasts longer in Puerto Vallarta than in Mazatlan. The general rainy period of the year lasts for 9.0 months, from May 18 to February 20, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 13 millimeters. The most rain falls during the 31 days centered around September 1, with an average total accumulation of 264 millimeters - much more than Mazatlan. The rain-less or dry period of the year lasts for 3.0 months, from February 20 to May 18. The least rain falls around April 16, with an average total accumulation of 1 millimeter.

Conclusion - based on our weather research, it appears our recent decision to relocate to Mazatlan was a good one, as we are hoping it will have a positive impact on our asthma related health issues. Now we need to confirm those findings by living here for a year.... OK...twist our arms...