Climate of Mauritius

What is climate?

Climate refers to atmospheric conditions over a long period of time in a particular area. A
region’s weather patterns, usually tracked for at least 30 years, are considered its climate. It takes
into consideration the amount of rainfall, wind speed, hail, snow, temperature, humidity,
sunshine.

What determines the climate of Mauritius?

In fact, the island is located at latitude 20⁰ S and longitude 57⁰ E thus falling into the subtropical
climate with respect to the equator. This location favours a maritime and moderately humid
subtropical climate. Since the island is in the middle of the ocean, it is significantly affected by
prevailing oceanic conditions.

Mean temperatures vary from the mid-70s F (low to mid-20s C) at sea level to the upper 60s F
(upper 10s C) on the high plateau. Two seasons are recognized: summer and winter, each lasting
over a 6 months’ period. Summer lasts from October to April while winter last from May to
September. February is the hottest month with an average temperature of 27⁰C on the coasts and
22⁰C on the central plateau. The coolest month is July with an average temperature of 22⁰C on the
coasts and 16⁰C on the uplands. The movement of winds over the low altitude oceans generates
cyclones in summer and anticyclones in winter. Annual rainfall varies from around 35 inches (900
mm) on the west coast to 60 inches (1,525 mm) on the southeast coast and about 200 inches (5,080
mm) on the central plateau.

Relief
Ranges of mountains with peaks, isolated mountains, hills, river valleys, waterfalls, plateaus, and
plains form the relief of Mauritius. Mountains are remnants of a big volcano which erupted many
millions of years ago.

Volcanic Cone  Bassin Blanc is well known for

with Crater the scenic lake nested in a
volcanic cone.

 Trou aux Cerfs is one of the most

well-defined volcanic structures
of the island. It presents a
perfect circular depression
reaching a diameter of 350
metres at the surface and is
about 80 metres deep.
Cliff along the shore At Pointe aux Caves, the fossil cliff is
fronted by a debris of rounded boulders
of various sizes which cover the wave-cut
platform.

Mountain Range  Port Louis - Moka Range is the

& Central Plateau longest one. Others are the
Grand Port Range, Savanne
 Range and Black River Range.

 Inside the ring of mountain

ranges, there is the Central
Plateau which was formed by
lava flows from several small
volcanoes

Rivers and Most of the rivers (streams) of Mauritius

Waterfalls are small both in terms of their length
and amount of water that they carry.
 Grand River South East (G.R.S.E)
is the longest river with the
largest catchment area. It rises
on the slopes of Butte Chaumont
and is fed by tributaries that
gather water as they flow.
 Waterfall on River Tamarin,
known as “Sept Cascades”

Gorges Black River Gorges-Over millions of years,

water flowing down from Black River has
carved these beautiful gorges in that
mountainous region due to its steep
gradient towards the sea.
Plains The largest one is in the North
and is known as the Northern
Plains. These plains have been
formed by quick flowing lavas
from volcanoes such as Mont
Piton, Butte aux Papayes and
Forbach Hill.
Waterbodies Midlands Dam, constructed in 2003 in
the wetter central part of the island,
provides water for the northern districts
in response to the growing water
demands. The water storage capacity is
25.5 Mm3.Others include Mare aux
Vacoas, La Ferme,Mare Longue,La
Nicolière