This documents contains information about the tropical climate of the island Mauritius located in the Indian Ocean. As an island situated south of the equator, Mauritius has a tropical marine climate which means that the ocean is the main factor influencing the climate. We have only two seasons: summer and winter. Summer lasts from November to April and winter from May to October but the winter is quite mild. The months of October and May are commonly known as the transition months.

1. Mauritius Climate
As an island situated south of the equator, Mauritius has a tropical marine climate which means that the
ocean is the main factor influencing the climate. We have only two seasons: summer and winter.
Summer lasts from November to April and winter from May to October but the winter is quite mild. The
months of October and May are commonly known as the transition months.
The island receives 6.5 to above 8 hours of bright sunshine daily. During summer that is, from November
to April, the weather is of course hot but also humid with daily average temperatures of about 20° C to
28° C. The warmest months are January and February with average day maximum temperature reaching
29.2 degrees Celsius. It also happens that during this season, the island faces heavy rainfall, particularly
from January to March. The water temperature during the summer months remains around a pleasant
27 degrees. The central plateau in the center of the island sees temperatures around 22° C that are
slightly cooler than on the coast.
Summer is also the period when cyclones can strike the land. Cyclones mainly hit the island on the
warmest days between December - February. Cyclones are known by different names in different
regions of the planet such as typhoons, tropical storms, tropical depression, hurricane, or a cyclonic
storm.
During winter that is, from June to September, the Mauritian weather is cool, windy, and relatively dry,
making it the best time for those who do not like the heat to explore the beauty of the island. Even
during the winter months, the water temperature sits at an enjoyable 22 °C and around 19° C on the
central plateau. The coolest months are July and August when average night minimum temperatures
drop down to 16.4 degrees Celsius.
Mauritius Weather Summary

2. Effects of climate change in Mauritius
In Mauritius, the impacts of climate change are already apparent through accelerating sea level rise,
decreasing trend in annual rainfall, an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, as
well as recurrent floods and droughts. The projected impacts are also gloomy in that decreasing trend in
annual rainfall, increased duration of dry spells and more frequent heat waves among others are
foreseen.
Some observed impacts of climate change in
Mauritius
Projected impacts of climate change in Mauritius
• Sea level has been rising by around 3.8
mm/year on average at Port Louis over
the last 5 years and between 1998 &
2007, local mean sea level rose by
2.1mm/year
• Average temperature has risen by 0.740C
when compared to the 1961- 1990 mean
• Decreasing trend in annual rainfall of
around 8% over Mauritius since the
1950s
• An increase in the annual number of hot
days and warm nights
• More frequent torrential rains resulting
in flash flood
• Increase in the frequency of extreme
weather events, heavy rains and storms
• Sea level is expected to rise by up to 0.6m
by 2100
• The average temperature is expected to
increase up to 2o C by 2061 -2070
compared to 1996 -2005.
• Utilizable water resources will decrease
by up to 13% by 2050.
• Projections and trend analysis confirm
that more frequent heat waves in
summer and milder winters
• Increase in heavy precipitation events
with increased risk of flash flood
• Increase in the number of intense
tropical cyclones and high energy waves
(tidal surge)