Hurricane season occurs every year, but should this affect your travel plans? While weather patterns can be unpredictable, you should take extra precautions and consider the time of year you travel. Plus, always make sure you have appropriate travel insurance in place.
Normally, the hurricane season begins in June and lasts up until November every year. Not all areas are affected by such severe storms. The most common places affected are the southern states in the USA, most Caribbean islands, and the eastern regions of Mexico. This doesn’t mean you should avoid them completely but be aware of the risks when travelling at this time of year. Be sure to check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website for up-to-date travel advice.
Navigating Caribbean travel around hurricane season
Generally, the Western Caribbean islands are the first to be hit by hurricanes before they move on to the rest of the islands. Some of the safest islands to travel to are Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and Grenada. They are generally affected by heavy rain but not full-on hurricanes.
There are some benefits to travelling during the hurricane season. For example, travelling to these islands means you will likely pay less for accommodation and flights by avoiding peak season. Many people holiday at this time of year without any issues as these islands are outside of the primary hurricane belt.
Often the best time to travel to the Caribbean is during the shoulder season. This is between the off-peak hurricane season and the peak dry months. For example, travelling here in May means that schools are still in term time, but the weather will be dry and still very warm, typically about 27 degrees. You can visit the western Caribbean islands such as The Bahamas or Antigua and Barbuda. These have a higher risk of seeing a hurricane at other times of the year.
Travelling to the USA
Travelling to America at any time means a long flight and elevated holiday costs. What about during hurricane season? The USA is such a large area that the climate varies depending on the region. The state most affected by extreme storms is Florida. Ironically, Florida is also nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’ due to its long hours of sunshine and warm temperatures.
If you are planning to visit Florida, the best time of year to go is anywhere from December to January. This is the time of year when the sun is shining and these are the dryer months, so there is little risk of a hurricane! January in particular is when children are back in school, and prices tend to drop following the Christmas season. Plus, this is a great time to explore the Everglades National Park where you can spot gators and pythons in their natural habitats.
Avoiding typhoons in Japan
Extreme storm seasons also occur in the Pacific Ocean, affecting areas like Japan, China and the Philippines. These areas have slightly different storms with slightly different names – but are no less dangerous. A typhoon is another name for a tropical cyclone, but they are named depending on where in the world they occur. For example, the Atlantic has hurricanes whereas the Pacific has Typhoons, and the Indian Ocean has Cyclones.
This typhoon season in Japan is from May to October, with August to September being the peak. Here, typhoons are given numbers rather than names like in the USA. You can still travel to Japan during these times, but it is important to be aware of the risks. For example, if you travelled at the start of their hurricane season in May, whilst there is still a risk, the chances of being impacted by a typhoon is much lower than if you travelled towards the end of the season.
Consider travelling here in March when you are still in the off-season but the weather is mild and getting warmer. It is also when there is a decrease in tourists, so prices start to come down for travel and accommodation. Cherry blossom season happens towards the end of March through to May so this is when the prices will peak, and it will be very busy. However, if you go in mid-March, you may get a glimpse at some early blossoms.
Be cautious of cyclones
Cyclones occur when they form in the Indian Ocean and affect places like India, north-west Australia and some parts of Africa. In Australia, their hurricane season runs from November to April. Normally, about 11 cyclones occur yearly with only 4 making it to land in Australia. This does not seem like a lot but it’s still crucial to know what to do if one does form and when the best time to travel is. Plus, it is normally only northern parts of Australia that are affected by these events.
Being so vast, Australia has different weather conditions depending on where you are going. For example, if you are travelling to Sydney, travelling from July to December are the driest months. Meanwhile, if you visit southern Australia, the dry season is from November to March. Perth is the sunniest city with an average of 3,200 hours of sunshine annually. If you’re in Perth, be sure to catch the Whales migrating in September as they make their return with newborn calves.
What should I do if a hurricane impacts my holiday?
If you are affected by Hurricane season it is important to know what you are covered for. Hurricanes are often classed on insurance policies as natural disasters. With Free Spirit, these events are covered as standard if you have to cancel or cut your trip short. You would be covered for up to £6000 for cancellation and up to £10 million for medical expenses. (Super Duper cover level.) If you are injured while abroad, we have a 24-hour medical emergency line that will be there to guide you every step of the way.
It is important to remember that insurance is there to cover you when you cannot reclaim these costs elsewhere. Make sure your policy covers exactly what you need it to and make sure you are checking the FCDO advice before booking any trips. This is because you are only covered for any unforeseen circumstances.
Getting travel insurance to cover hurricane season
It is recommended however to take out travel insurance as soon as you book. This way, you can get cover for anything unforeseen that may occur. Whatever time of year you travel, give yourself peace of mind with a Free Spirit travel insurance policy.
