The Dominican Republic is located at the upper region of the tropical zone and for the most part has beautiful tropical weather year round. However, there is typically a rainy season at the start and end of the summer months, with an arid period in the middle.

Temperature – The annual average temperature is 77 °F (25 °C), the warmest months being July and August, the coolest being January and February. Temperatures are cooler in the mountainous regions, capable of falling below zero in some upper, hilly regions of the Cordillera Central and frosts are frequent during the winter and early spring months.

Rainfall – The Dominican Republic has a variety of biomes, including both extremes (tropics and deserts). As a result, the amount of rainfall varies drastically in different regions of the island. There are six climatic zones that divide the country based on the rainfall: northeastern, northern, northwestern, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Regions with dry periods are found in the northwestern, western, southwestern, and southeastern zones. The regions with the most rainfall occur in the northern and northeastern zones.

Hurricanes – These storms are large, whirling masses of air and water that form around low-pressure areas in the Atlantic Ocean. Typically they occur from June through October, and can result in severe flooding and damage to the islands.

(Insert Image of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Jeanne: Jeanne_AMO_2004260_lrg.jpg) From www.nasaimages.org

(Link to Hurricanes: How Wilma Formed video – National Geographic)
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/environment-natural-disasters/hurricanes/wilma-formation.html