Aruba Hurricane Season: What Travelers Need to Know

According to the Atlantic hurricane database,  registering hurricane activity and tropical storms in the Atlantic basin, including the ABC-islands, Aruba has not been directly hit by a hurricane since its inception in 1851. That said, Aruba does have a hurricane season and the weather in Aruba can be affected by tropical storms or hurricanes passing through the region. In this blog you will find answers to the most asked questions regarding hurricane season in Aruba:

-   when is hurricane season in Aruba

-   did Aruba ever have a hurricane

-   changes in weather during hurricane season in Aruba

-   Aruba’s location outside the hurricane belt (and what that means exactly)

When is hurricane season in Aruba?

Aruba hurricane season dates run from June 1st to November 30th. While being called hurricane season, Aruba does not get directly hit by hurricanes. So, what does hurricane season in Aruba entail exactly, you may wonder. During the hurricane season between June and November Aruba’s weather can be impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms passing in the Caribbean region.

When it is hurricane season in Aruba the following weather changes can occur:

-   increased rain fall

-   gusty winds

-   total lack of wind

-   elevated perceived temperature (due to a lack of wind)

While these changes in weather can occur, it is not a given that Aruba is affected during hurricane season by passing tropical storms or hurricanes in the region. It all depends on the course of the hurricane, the force of the hurricane or tropical storm and the level of activity of the hurricane season in any given year.

Did Aruba ever have a hurricane?

If you are planning for your upcoming Caribbean vacation you might worry and wonder ‘did Aruba ever have a hurricane’? Aruba is very fortunate and has not been directly hit by a hurricane in recent history. Hurricane Hazel (1954) and Hurricane Ivan (2004) are considered some of the most impactful hurricanes whose tail affected Aruba. Hurricane Ivan passed north of the island, causing high waves, some inland flooding and significant changes to Aruba’s coastline. Hurricane Felix (2007) was the first tropical cyclone in more than a hundred years in which its center came closest to the island (80 km). This hurricane caused rough seas, and strong winds yet did not hit Aruba with devastating weather. So the answer is: no, Aruba did not have a hurricane in recent history; our island has only been hit by the tail or side-effects of hurricanes passing through the Caribbean. 

Aruba’s location outside the hurricane belt

The reason the island has not been hit directly by a hurricane is Aruba’s location outside the hurricane belt. What does that mean exactly? In short, it means that Aruba rarely, if ever, gets hit by a hurricane. Aruba is geologically located in South America, lying on the South American continental shelf. The Caribbean hurricane belt is part of the wider Atlantic hurricane system that stretches across the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. East Coast. Most tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic head further north. Aruba is outside the Caribbean hurricane belt, located much farther south. This way tropical storms and hurricanes bypass Aruba.

Planning Your Trip During the Aruba Hurricane Season

If you’ve read this far into this blog you know by know that you don’t have to worry about being hit by a hurricane while on vacation in Aruba. But you also learned that hurricane season in Aruba is a reality. When planning your trip during the Aruba hurricane season just consider the possibility of weather changes and side-effects. Gusty winds, occasional heavy rain showers and rough ocean conditions might occur yet are never a given.

If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Aruba, please keep in mind that Aruba hurricane season runs from June to November. In general, the weather conditions in Aruba remain the same, despite hurricanes or tropical storms passing in the Caribbean region. The best advice is to enjoy your vacation and Aruba weather of typically sunny days and breezy trade winds. Should disturbances in climate and weather occur, make sure to follow tropical storm warnings and messaging on your cell phone and official weather platforms.