Brits planning a holiday between June and November have been issued a Foreign Office warning. The Government body has urged people travelling to certain countries to take extra care due to potential “loss of life”.

In an update posted to social media platform X, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised holidaymakers venturing to the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Pacific or the Far East to check its extreme weather advice.

This is due to the risk of hurricanes in these regions.

The FCDO said: “Hurricane season normally lasts from June to November in the Northern Hemisphere. If you’re planning to travel to the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Pacific or the Far East, check our extreme weather advice about how to prepare effectively.”

Depending on where in the world they form, hurricanes can also be referred to as cyclones or typhoons.

The FCDO explained that “every year”, tropical cyclones cause “considerable loss of life, do immense damage to property, and damage transport, electricity and communication infrastructure”.

“Tropical cyclones feed on heat that is released when moist air rises,” it said.

“‘Hurricane season’ happens in the months in which an area of sea is at its warmest.”

The areas that are high  risk are:

• June to November in the Northern Hemisphere Tropics (Caribbean, Atlantic, Southeast Asia, Pacific, Far East)
• November to April in the Southern Hemisphere Tropics (for example, East Africa coast)

Tropical cyclones can cause:

• High winds
• Storm surge
• Very heavy rainfall

The FCDO added: “Buildings can be damaged or destroyed; trees, power and telephone lines fall; flying debris becomes dangerous. 

“A hurricane can cause a temporary rise in sea level of several metres which can flood coastal areas and damage buildings on the shoreline

“Very heavy rainfall: this can cause localised or widespread flooding and mudslides.”

For more information, visit the Government website here.