Seasonal· Guna Yala (comarca-wide)· Other Caribbean
Rainy-Season Lightning & Squalls
9° 34.2′ N · 78° 49.2′ W · approximate
From May the trades die away and the Caribbean coast of Panama turns to calms, heavy rain and some of the most intense lightning cruisers report anywhere, with short, violent squalls of 20–35 kn and sudden wind shifts.
Practical
Coordinate approximate (comarca-wide). Panama's rainy season runs roughly May to December; by August there are daily downpours and thunderstorms with lightning strikes and flash flooding (Noonsite). The Caribbean coast gets about twice the rain of the Pacific side. SY Balvenie (late April to June 2012): thunder and lightning lasting many hours, 'nothing compares with the lightning we have seen in this region'; get insurance cover for lightning strikes. Squalls up to about 35 kn with abrupt wind shifts; Sept–Nov is the calmest, most thundery period (SailScanner). At night the wind often turns and blows off the mainland, so allow swinging room away from coral (Noonsite 2016). Rain cuts reef visibility. Panama lies south of the hurricane belt, though the tail of tropical storms can reach the Caribbean coast.
Best for
Planning a hurricane-season stay in the San Blas
Season
May–Dec; worst lightning Aug–Nov
Nearby
- Christmas Winds (Reinforced Trades & Northers)Right here
- Guna Lobster, Crab & Shellfish ClosuresRight here
- Guna Yala Rules for Visiting BoatsRight here
- No Scuba Diving in Guna Yala (Snorkel & Freedive Only)Right here
- San Blas Cruisers VHF & SSB NetsRight here
- East Lemmon Cays Anchorage2 NM away
- Lemmon Cays Beach Bars (Guna-run)2 NM away
- Rays, Nurse Sharks & Turtles (Lemmon & Chichime Cays)2 NM away