A new graphic, part of the #ShowYourStripes initiative by Climate Central, shows a clear warming trend in Puerto Rico over the past century. The image, which displays temperature changes in San Juan, reveals that the island is getting warmer. Meteorologist Ernesto Morales, coordinator of warnings at the National Weather Service, noted that Puerto Rico is not cooling down as much as it used to, with temperatures reaching 80°F at 9:00 PM and 90°F during the day.
Puerto Rico is not cooling down as much as it used to
Morales collaborated with Dr. Pablo Méndez Lázaro from the University of Puerto Rico's School of Public Health, who observed increases in hospitalizations and deaths due to extreme heat. The warming trend also increases the likelihood of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heavy rainfall.
The #ShowYourStripes initiative, created by climate scientist Ed Hawkins, aims to visually communicate global warming. In San Juan, the average temperature in 2025 was 2.7°F higher than the average between 1901 and 2000.