So, how hot IS it?

You can find average weather statistic for any of the USVI's at www.weatherbase.com

For what it is worth, average high temperatures on the summer are in the mid-to-high 80's F. with occasional forays into the low 90's F. Humidity is high and the sun is very strong so it will "feel" hotter. Breezes are less in summer so that also adds to the feeling of "hot".

Its generally hottest during mid-August to mid-September when the tradewinds aren't blowing as strong as they usually are. Its rarely gets to be 100 here and my house does not have any air conditioning.

You won't find the humidity anywhere close to as oppressive as it is in VA. The one time I was there in the summertime I was drenched the duration of my short stay unless in A/C!!

Have to agree with OT. I visited South Carolina for a month in the summer years ago and thought I'd be escaping the summer heat here.
I was suprised at how much hotter and how much more humid it felt being outside compared to the islands. Was glad to get home and feel the tradewinds.

I'm arriving on STT the first weekend in May. I'm used to temps in the 90s with anywhere from 80 to 100% humidity, so I think the VI will be fine 🙂

And no extreme lows, either!

it gets hot in aug and sept. i never got rashes until i moved here. i am thinking it is because i do not have air where i live. hubby gets real bad rashes in those months. practically full body rashes and he does use corn starch every day. they hurt and are very prickly especially when he is in the sun.

I lived in hot Texas before moving to the VI and never got heat rashes either until moving to STX.

First summer I was fine. Second summer I had heat bumps all over my torso, itchy and quite painful. Nothing helped except cold showers and coconut oil. Third summer I had heat bumps all over my face, terrible, looked like pizza pie acne. I spent two months in front of the fan and used tea tree oil every day. If we had stayed another year we were going to install A/C in the master bedroom.

I think it is partially due to the fact that the sun is just so much more intense being closer to the equator. You really feel it during the hot months. But the warm, pleasant winters make it worth it. 😉

How nasty. Never had a heat rash in my life but thanks to all for sharing as it's made me most grateful for not being prone to them!

Thanks to all for the quick responses! I guess I'll just have to see what my personal tolerance is. Virginia - particularly the southern parts of the state - is oppressively hot and humid in July and August and no oceans to jump in! Houston, Texas in August was the worst I've ever experienced - walking outside felt like walking into a wall of wet. Even hard to breath.

From all the posts I read about the cost of electricity I'm afraid AC or a fan might not be an option :-/

wattersk, i am from md so i know humidity, i think the difference is there are so many places without a/c and if you have it-good luck affording it

In the higher elevations you'll find the temps about 10 degrees cooler than the low lying areas. It does get hot in July Aug Sept.....We mostly notice the heat between 1pm and 4 pm. Nothing like Houston! Cooler and less humidity. On STX we don't use any AC year around. In Houston we would get excited the 2 weeks of the year we could actually open doors and windows. Either too hot, too humid, too cold, stinky air, noise pollution, light pollution.......... The AC ran non stop for 8 months at least. Horrible!!!!!!

I have a question I ask my visitors. "If you had a thermostat in front of you right now, would you go up or down? " They always get a puzzled look, then say, "I wouldn't touch it." with certainty.

I personally think the weather is almost perfect here. Add to that, (knock on wood) I haven't seen a mosquito in several months! Can't be beat!!

As for the heat of the sun? For goodness sakes! Stay in the shade!! LOL

Your PMV will likely determine your decision if heat is your main concern. Seriously, there are are WAY more issues to deal with in contemplating a move here than tropical weather.

I lived in NC and Texas.........the hot summer in the USVI is pleasant compared to summer in NC or TX. When you visit in the summer, you will be used to 90-100 temperatures with humidity in your state (air conditioning required). Thus, the USVI at 88-89 will feel comfortable even without air conditioning.
If you stay at a resort hotel with air conditioning during your PMV, it will not be the same as living daily without air conditioning. MOST Hotels do not have the cross breeze (just different than living in most residential areas).

Hope you enjoy your visit.

Official average high on August is 88 with a breeze. Rarely low nineties. Couldn't wait to leave DC on August 2 to get back to the Caribbean weather. Sad but true. The states feels like an oven and no one here has ever died from a beat stroke.
STT is hotter than Stx especially on the south side where Charlotte Amalie harbor is.

I was really surprised when Spee1dy talked about summer heat rashes. I never had this problem or knew anyone else who did. Yes it is hot and humid in the summer, but in my opinion, not nearly as bad as many places on the continent.

There is still a lot of air movement and a whole ocean to jump into. We have had rashes, but they are mostly from bites and reaction to irritants.

But I guess everyone reacts differently...

I often wonder why our Department of Tourism doesn't market the USVI as a destination for summer holidays away from the oppressive heat on the mainland. Its great on the islands in the summer!

I often wonder why our Department of Tourism doesn't market the USVI as a destination for summer holidays away from the oppressive heat on the mainland. Its great on the islands in the summer!

While not as bad as the mainland extremes, the VI summers are still a little too hot and humid for marketing purposes. Tropical locations at higher elevations can sell their summers (or any season). For example, some cities in Colombia, South America boast that they have eternal spring weather.

msinfromatin, let me tell you. you are extremely lucky. mine are very mild compared to hubbys. he is literally a full body rash

I often wonder why our Department of Tourism doesn't market the USVI as a destination for summer holidays away from the oppressive heat on the mainland. Its great on the islands in the summer!

I believe I remember Ronnie telling me about a promotion they had at some point with the tag line of "The Summer of 82" or some suchness.

Your PMV will likely determine your decision if heat is your main concern. Seriously, there are are WAY more issues to deal with in contemplating a move here than tropical weather.

I couldn't agree more, if tropical weather is your issue, why in the world would you want to move to an island? To me, it's much hotter in Florida than the VI. I have lived at both without A/C and I can tell you, Florida is a tough nut when temps hit 96-98 with heat index of 105. Also, if running a fan is going to put you in the poor house, the VI may not be for you because cost of living on any island is higher than in the states.

Of course there are. But they are all moot if the weather makes living there more of a challenge than a pleasure.

My husband has his heart set on living on an island. He LOVES the heat. We considered Florida, but too hot and flat. Love the STX mountains. I am asking every question I can think of on this forum so I can make as educated a decision as possible. I was being facetious about not being able to afford AC or a fan. But I'm encouraged by the number of people who don't feel the need to use them.

Your PMV will likely determine your decision if heat is your main concern. Seriously, there are are WAY more issues to deal with in contemplating a move here than tropical weather.

I couldn't agree more, if tropical weather is your issue, why in the world would you want to move to an island? To me, it's much hotter in Florida than the VI. I have lived at both without A/C and I can tell you, Florida is a tough nut when temps hit 96-98 with heat index of 105. Also, if running a fan is going to put you in the poor house, the VI may not be for you because cost of living on any island is higher than in the states.

It's really an individual thing. I love heat too and never had issues before STX with the rashes. And we lived on a hil with breezes much of the year. But last summer felt HOT, even many of my born on-island friends were complaining about the heat, and it seemed like two months with zero breeze. But a split AC in our bedroom to turn on occasionally would probably have made it fine.

My advice and opinion is to check it out for yourselves because everyone is different. 🙂 All you'll get on this board are twenty different opinions.

Unlike others I turn on the A/C when it get hot and to me it starts getting hot in the afternoons during late March/early April and stays that way until the Fall. So for spouse and me it's A/C for several hours every day during those times. I made up my mind long ago that my comfort wins out over the high cost of electricity every time. It's one of the trade-offs we knew we'd have to make to live in the Caribbean.