North
Saint-Denis
26°Partly cloudy
Humidity 56%
Wind 10 km/h
Forecast: next hours and 5 days
Next hours
15:0026°
18:0023°
21:0022°
00:0020°
03:0020°
Next days
Sat27°19°
Sun26°19°
Mon27°20°
Tue28°21°
Wed27°22°
Practical FAQ · Climate
Reunion Island weather live: forecast and climate by area
Two opposite seasons, four areas with genuinely different climates, and cyclone risk from January to March. This page brings together everything you need to know to plan your trip without surprises.
2 seasons opposite each other4 areas with different climates6-9 cyclones SW Indian Ocean/yearSeptember driest month
Updated in September 2026
Worth knowing before you book
Weather on Reunion Island is far from uniform: at the same moment it can be 28°C on the west-coast lagoon and 3°C at the summit of Piton des Neiges, blue sky in Saint-Leu and pouring rain in Sainte-Rose. To plan ahead, see also the guide to the best time to visit Reunion Island, which details the best windows for each type of trip.
Live
Current conditions and forecast, area by area
Automatic readings for the island's four main areas (north, west, east, south), plus the weather for any of its 24 towns. Current conditions and the next few days, proof that Reunion Island's weather never comes down to a single number.
West
Saint-Paul
25°Partly cloudy
Humidity 63%
Wind 10 km/h
Forecast: next hours and 5 days
Next hours
15:0024°
18:0023°
21:0021°
00:0020°
03:0019°
Next days
Sat24°19°
Sun24°19°
Mon25°19°
Tue26°21°
Wed25°21°
East
Saint-Benoît
27°Clear sky
Humidity 52%
Wind 18 km/h
Forecast: next hours and 5 days
Next hours
15:0026°
18:0024°
21:0022°
00:0021°
03:0020°
Next days
Sat26°20°
Sun26°19°
Mon26°21°
Tue26°21°
Wed25°21°
South
Saint-Pierre
26°Fair
Humidity 60%
Wind 14 km/h
Forecast: next hours and 5 days
Next hours
15:0025°
18:0023°
21:0022°
00:0021°
03:0019°
Next days
Sat25°19°
Sun25°20°
Mon26°19°
Tue25°20°
Wed25°20°
Reading taken on 25 September at 12:00, Reunion Island time. Data from MET Norway, refreshed automatically every 30 minutes. For 7-day forecasts and official cyclone alerts, check Météo-France Réunion.
Reunion Island sits in the southern hemisphere, at 21° latitude in the south-west Indian Ocean. Its seasons are therefore the reverse of Europe's and North America's: the hot, wet austral summer runs from November to April, and the cool, dry austral winter runs from May to October.
What sets the island apart is its extreme volcanic relief: 3,070 m of altitude at Piton des Neiges, less than 30 km from the coast. This creates up to 5 microclimates within the same time zone, with rainfall ranging from Saint-Leu (1,000 mm/year) to six times that in the massifs near the volcano (6,000 mm/year).
The rest of this page covers the 2 seasons, the 4 main climate areas, all 12 months with their own characteristics, the 4 cyclone alert levels, and reliable weather sources to check before and during your trip.
Dry west coast
Saint-Leu, Saint-Gilles, La Saline: the sunny side
4 climate areas
Reunion Island's contrasting climates
A dry west, a wet east, the cool Hauts (the island's uplands) and a wild south. Four clearly distinct climate profiles on an island just 70 km long.
West coast
Saint-Paul · Saint-Gilles · La Saline · Saint-Leu · Étang-Salé
Rain/year
≈ 1,000 mmAustral summer
24 to 30°CAustral winter
17 to 26°CThe dry, sunny side of the island, sheltered from the wet trade winds by the interior massifs. A lagoon protected by the coral reef, with water between 24 and 28°C year-round. The most stable climate for a beach holiday.
Dry season: May to November: 5 to 8 rainy days a month, 8-9 hours of sunshine a day. Outstanding conditions from August to October.
Wet season: December to April: 14 to 18 rainy days a month, but showers are brief and the heat is tropical.
East coast
Sainte-Suzanne · Saint-André · Saint-Benoît · Sainte-Rose
Rain/year
≈ 2,000 mmAustral summer
23 to 29°CAustral winter
17 to 25°CThe side exposed to the wet trade winds coming off the Indian Ocean. Lush vegetation, numerous waterfalls, vanilla and sugar cane. A less sunny but milder climate, with frequent showers even in the dry season.
Dry season: June to August: 6 to 8 rainy days a month, trade winds present but sunshine dominates.
Wet season: December to March: the highest rainfall on the island outside the Hauts, 20 rainy days a month.
The Hauts (uplands and cirques)
Cilaos · Salazie · Mafate · Plaine des Cafres · Bourg-Murat
Rain/year
≈ 3,000 to 6,000 mm depending on altitudeAustral summer
10 to 25°C depending on altitudeAustral winter
0 to 18°C, frost possibleA tropical mountain climate: crisp nights, mild days in the austral winter, exceptionally clear skies. Rain falls mostly on the exposed (north and east) slopes; Cilaos remains relatively sheltered in the dry season.
Dry season: June to October: clear mornings, a sea of clouds forming around 10-11am, sub-zero temperatures at the summit of Piton des Neiges in July-August.
Wet season: January to March: near-permanent fog above 1,500 m, muddy trails, difficult hiking.
Wild south
Saint-Pierre · Saint-Joseph · Petite-Île · Cap Méchant · Langevin
Rain/year
≈ 1,500 mmAustral summer
22 to 28°CAustral winter
16 to 24°CA climate between the dry west and the wet east. Exposed to the southern swell, windier than the west coast, a rawer feel. The waterfalls of the south (Langevin, Grand-Galet) flow year-round thanks to rain in the Hauts above Le Tampon.
Dry season: June to October: a stronger swell but clear skies, exceptional late-afternoon light.
Wet season: December to March: frequent but brief showers, milder temperatures than at altitude.
2 opposite seasons
Austral summer and austral winter
Because Reunion Island is in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are reversed. Summer starts in November and ends in April; winter runs from May to October.
Austral summer
November to April
The hot, wet season. Coastal temperatures between 22 and 30°C, lagoon water at 27-28°C. This is also cyclone season: 6 to 9 tropical systems a year in the south-west Indian Ocean, 1 or 2 of which come close to the island. Brief but intense midday showers, heavy skies in the late afternoon.
- The warmest sea (27-28°C) for swimming and diving.
- Forests and waterfalls at their most lush.
- Cyclone peak from January to March: watch the alert level.
- The Hauts are often in cloud, hiking above 1,500 m is difficult.
- Moderate tourist numbers outside the festive season.
Austral winter
May to October
The dry, mild season. Coastal temperatures between 16 and 27°C, lagoon water at 23-25°C. No cyclone risk. Perfect trails, clear skies, humpback whale watching from June to October. The driest month: September. Peak crowds in July-August (French school holidays).
- Optimal outdoor conditions: hiking, cycling, paragliding, canyoning.
- Humpback whale season from June to October, peaking in August-September.
- Cooler sea (23-25°C), still pleasant for a lagoon swim.
- Crisp nights at altitude, frost and snow possible at the summit.
- Very high tourist numbers in July-August.
Wet east coast
Saint-Benoît, Sainte-Rose: the windward side
12 months in detail
The full weather calendar
Air and sea temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and cyclone risk for every month on the west coast. Click a month for the full monthly guide.
JanuarySummer
- Temp.
- 23-30°C
- Sea
- 28°C
- Rain
- 280 mm / 17 days
- Sun
- 7 hrs
- Cyclone
- high
- Verdict
- Very hot, cyclone peak
FebruarySummer
- Temp.
- 23-30°C
- Sea
- 28°C
- Rain
- 320 mm / 18 days
- Sun
- 6.5 hrs
- Cyclone
- high
- Verdict
- The wettest month
MarchSummer
- Temp.
- 22-29°C
- Sea
- 28°C
- Rain
- 250 mm / 16 days
- Sun
- 7 hrs
- Cyclone
- high
- Verdict
- Still wet, end of season
AprilSummer
- Temp.
- 21-28°C
- Sea
- 27°C
- Rain
- 130 mm / 10 days
- Sun
- 7.5 hrs
- Cyclone
- moderate
- Verdict
- Transition, Easter holidays
MayWinter
- Temp.
- 19-27°C
- Sea
- 26°C
- Rain
- 110 mm / 8 days
- Sun
- 8 hrs
- Cyclone
- low
- Verdict
- Start of dry season, ideal
JuneWinter
- Temp.
- 18-25°C
- Sea
- 25°C
- Rain
- 60 mm / 6 days
- Sun
- 8 hrs
- Cyclone
- none
- Verdict
- Cool, whale season begins
JulyWinter
- Temp.
- 17-24°C
- Sea
- 24°C
- Rain
- 50 mm / 5 days
- Sun
- 8.5 hrs
- Cyclone
- none
- Verdict
- Whale peak, high season
AugustWinter
- Temp.
- 17-24°C
- Sea
- 24°C
- Rain
- 50 mm / 5 days
- Sun
- 8.5 hrs
- Cyclone
- none
- Verdict
- Dry and cool, whales
SeptemberWinter
- Temp.
- 18-25°C
- Sea
- 24°C
- Rain
- 40 mm / 5 days
- Sun
- 9 hrs
- Cyclone
- none
- Verdict
- The driest month of the year
OctoberWinter
- Temp.
- 19-26°C
- Sea
- 25°C
- Rain
- 50 mm / 5 days
- Sun
- 9 hrs
- Cyclone
- low
- Verdict
- Dry, the sea starts warming
NovemberSummer
- Temp.
- 21-27°C
- Sea
- 26°C
- Rain
- 110 mm / 9 days
- Sun
- 8.5 hrs
- Cyclone
- moderate
- Verdict
- Transition, rain returns
DecemberSummer
- Temp.
- 22-29°C
- Sea
- 27°C
- Rain
- 220 mm / 14 days
- Sun
- 7.5 hrs
- Cyclone
- moderate
- Verdict
- Austral summer, rainy festive season
| Month | Season | Temp. | Sea | Rain | Sun | Cyclone | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Summer | 23-30°C | 28°C | 280 mm / 17 days | 7 hrs | high | Very hot, cyclone peak |
| February | Summer | 23-30°C | 28°C | 320 mm / 18 days | 6.5 hrs | high | The wettest month |
| March | Summer | 22-29°C | 28°C | 250 mm / 16 days | 7 hrs | high | Still wet, end of season |
| April | Summer | 21-28°C | 27°C | 130 mm / 10 days | 7.5 hrs | moderate | Transition, Easter holidays |
| May | Winter | 19-27°C | 26°C | 110 mm / 8 days | 8 hrs | low | Start of dry season, ideal |
| June | Winter | 18-25°C | 25°C | 60 mm / 6 days | 8 hrs | none | Cool, whale season begins |
| July | Winter | 17-24°C | 24°C | 50 mm / 5 days | 8.5 hrs | none | Whale peak, high season |
| August | Winter | 17-24°C | 24°C | 50 mm / 5 days | 8.5 hrs | none | Dry and cool, whales |
| September | Winter | 18-25°C | 24°C | 40 mm / 5 days | 9 hrs | none | The driest month of the year |
| October | Winter | 19-26°C | 25°C | 50 mm / 5 days | 9 hrs | low | Dry, the sea starts warming |
| November | Summer | 21-27°C | 26°C | 110 mm / 9 days | 8.5 hrs | moderate | Transition, rain returns |
| December | Summer | 22-29°C | 27°C | 220 mm / 14 days | 7.5 hrs | moderate | Austral summer, rainy festive season |
Average figures for the west coast (Saint-Gilles). Rainfall is higher on the east coast and in the Hauts.
Cyclone risk
4 cyclone alert levels and what to do
The south-west Indian Ocean sees 6 to 9 tropical systems a year, 1 or 2 of which affect Reunion Island. The official alert system is run by Météo-France Réunion. Here's the scale and what to do at each level.
Yellow alert
Status: Pre-alert 24 to 48 hours ahead. The system is approaching, but conditions are still normal.
What to do: Follow Météo-France bulletins, stock up on groceries, secure outdoor equipment.
Orange alert
Status: Strong winds and heavy rain imminent. Life slows down, some services close.
What to do: Limit travel, move vehicles away from ravine banks, bring in animals and outdoor furniture.
Red alert
Status: Active cyclonic winds. Going outside is strictly forbidden, flights suspended, schools closed.
What to do: Staying indoors is compulsory. No travel on the roads. Follow the radio.
Safeguard phase
Status: After the cyclone has passed. Residual risks: closed roads, fallen power lines, landslides.
What to do: Avoid going out for 12 hours after the alert is lifted, and take care around ravines and mudslides.
While on the island, check the official bulletin on meteofrance.re before every trip to sea or into the mountains during cyclone season. Commercial flights are systematically suspended under a red alert (Air Austral, Corsair, Air France, French Bee).
The Hauts and cirques
Cilaos, Salazie, Mafate: a tropical mountain climate
Reliable sources
Where to check the weather before and during your trip
Three go-to sources for forecasts, official alerts and marine weather. All free and well maintained.
Go further
Planning your trip around the weather
Austral summer
The wet season and cyclone peak from January to March
Frequently asked questions
Reunion Island weather, in practice
What is the best time to visit Reunion Island?
Overall, the austral winter (May to October) remains the ideal window: less rain, no cyclones, perfect trails, humpback whale watching. The driest month is September (40 mm of rain on the west coast, 5 rainy days). To combine warm seas with hiking, aim for April-May or October-November, avoiding the cyclone peak from January to March.
How many seasons does Reunion Island have?
Two distinct seasons, following the southern hemisphere pattern. Austral summer runs from November to April (hot, wet, cyclone risk), austral winter from May to October (cool, dry, no cyclones). The temperature range stays moderate on the coast (6 to 10°C between the two seasons), but exceeds 15°C at altitude.
What is the weather like on the west coast of Reunion Island?
The west coast (Saint-Paul to Saint-Leu) is the dry, sunny side: only 1,000 mm of rain a year, temperatures from 24 to 30°C in summer and 17 to 26°C in winter. A lagoon protected by the coral reef, water between 24 and 28°C depending on the season. It's the most reliable base for a beach holiday.
Why is the east coast wetter than the west?
Trade winds from the south-east carry moisture in from the Indian Ocean. When they hit the interior massifs (Piton des Neiges, the Plaines, the volcano), they release their rain on the east side before descending, already dry, onto the west coast. The result: 2,000 mm of rain a year in Saint-Benoît versus 1,000 mm in Saint-Leu, for towns just 60 km apart.
What is the climate like in the cirques and at altitude?
A tropical mountain climate. At 1,200 m (Cilaos, Plaine des Cafres): 10-25°C in the dry season, 5-15°C in the wet season, frequent morning frost in July-August. At the summit of Piton des Neiges (3,070 m): sub-zero temperatures for 4 to 6 months of the year, occasional snow. The summits are often in cloud from 10-11am onward.
Are there cyclones on Reunion Island?
Yes, the south-west Indian Ocean sees 6 to 9 tropical systems a year, 1 or 2 of which come close to or hit Reunion Island. Peak season: January to March. The official alert system (yellow, orange, red, safeguard) is run by Météo-France Réunion. Under a red alert, going outside is strictly forbidden, flights are suspended and services close. See also the guide to living on Reunion Island on this site for how locals prepare.
What is the sea temperature on Reunion Island?
Between 23°C (July-August, the coolest) and 28°C (January-March, the warmest) in the sheltered west-coast lagoon. Outside the lagoon, temperatures are slightly lower (1-2°C less). Swimming is pleasant year-round in the lagoon, though noticeably cooler in the austral winter for sensitive swimmers.
How many rainy days does Reunion Island get a year?
It depends entirely on the area. Saint-Leu (west coast) sees around 80 rainy days a year. Saint-Benoît (east coast) sees 130. Cilaos and Salazie (the Hauts) see 180 to 220. The absolute record belongs to the massifs near the volcano, with over 12,000 mm of rain recorded in a year at some isolated spots (a world record for 12 consecutive days).
What is the driest month on Reunion Island?
September. On the west coast, around 40 mm of rain falls over the whole month, with 5 rainy days at most and 9 hours of sunshine a day. It's also the month when the high-altitude trails are in perfect condition and the sea stays clear for diving and snorkelling. Humpback whale season is at its peak.
What is the wettest month on Reunion Island?
February. The peak of cyclone season, with up to 320 mm of rain on the west coast and over 800 mm in the exposed Hauts. An average of 18 rainy days in the driest areas, and persistent fog in the cirques. A month to avoid for hiking and panoramic views, but ideal for seeing the waterfalls at full flow.
Which apps should you check for local weather?
For a 7-day forecast: Météo-France Réunion (meteofrance.re) remains the official reference, with cyclone bulletins and real-time alerts. For wind and sea conditions: Windguru and Windy. For lagoon swimming: the Réserve Marine app (sea state, currents, diving safety). All free and well maintained.
Does the weather really change within a single day?
Yes, significantly. Mornings are usually the clearest, most stable window, especially in the austral winter. From around 10-11am, the trade winds strengthen and bring cloud onto the exposed slopes. The Hauts cloud over during the morning, and showers fall in the early afternoon. By the end of the day, conditions settle down again, giving the finest sunsets over the west.
Go further
Related pages on the site
Article updated in September 2026.