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Annual variations in monthly average water temperatures at the surface do not exceed 3 °C (5.4 °F). In the past 50 years, the Caribbean has gone through three stages: cooling until 1974, a cold phase with peaks during 1974–1976 and 1984–1986, and, finally, a warming phase with an increase in temperature of 0.6 °C (1.1 °F) per year.
The Antilles Current originates south of the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Cuba and moves northward where it merges with the Gulf Stream. [9] [10] This current cools the waters around San Salvador in the summer and warms the water around the island in the winter. This keeps the water temperature relatively mild and consistent throughout the year. [7]
The island has a tropical climate with only two seasons, summer (May–November) and winter (December–April). Midsummer temperatures range from 27–29 °C (81–84 °F) with a relative humidity of 60 to 100 percent. Winter temperatures range from 21–24 °C (70–75 °F) and can drop to 5 °C (41 °F) after dark.
Climate change is causing temperature increases in the Bahamas. The average temperature has increased by approximately 0.5 °C since 1960. The rate of the temperature increase varies seasonally, with average daily maximum temperatures for July recently increasing at a rate of 2.6 °C per 100 years. [15]
The daytime average temperatures from December to April are around 75 °F (24 °C), while the average daily temperature is between 85–93 °F (29–34 °C) from May to November. The average rainfall is 1 inch (2.5 cm) per month from November to April and 3.5 inches (10 cm) per month from May to October.
In the summer the average air temperature is approximately 30 °C (86 °F). In winter the average air temperature is in the mid 20s. Water temperatures are 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) degrees all year long. [19] Moreover, cloudy days are often warm and the precipitations are concentrated in the warmest months, which are July, August and September.
An increase in surface temperature has also been suggested to affect the coral reefs. In 2005 in the Caribbean, a rise in the sea surface temperature is thought to have caused widespread coral bleaching. In the study, the authors reported that the increase in sea surface temperature was due to natural climate variability or human activity.
Bodies of water of the Bahamas (4 C, 5 P) M. Bahamian marine biologists (1 P) T. Water transport in the Bahamas (3 C, 1 P)