Fall in Bamako feels like a fresh break from the heavy rains of summer. Daily highs climb from the upper 80s to the low 90s, while nights slowly dip into the mid-60s.
The season stays warm and comfortable, and you don’t get that intense humidity from earlier in the year.
Rainfall drops off fast, shifting from frequent downpours in September to almost zero by late November. Skies open up, and cloud cover fades as sunshine grows more reliable each week.
These changes shape outdoor plans and daily routines. Fall stands out as one of Bamako’s biggest seasonal shifts.
As daylight shrinks and winds start to change, you get a climate that mixes warmth with growing dryness. It’s easier to plan your days, whether you’re handling daily life or exploring the city.
Overview of Fall Weather Patterns in Bamako
Fall in Bamako marks the move from the wet season into drier, sunnier days. Daytime heat rises, clouds thin out, and rainfall drops sharply as the months roll on.
Seasonal Climate Characteristics
During fall, daily highs start at about 88°F (31°C) in early September and reach around 93°F (34°C) by late November. Nighttime lows drop a bit, averaging 72°F (22°C) at first and cooling to about 66°F (19°C) by season’s end.
Rainfall falls fast. September might still bring about 8–9 inches of rain, but by November, totals shrink to nearly 0.1 inches. Your odds of a rainy day plummet from over 80% in early September to almost nothing by December.
Clouds thin out too. Early fall skies are mostly cloudy about 70% of the time, but by late November, it’s down to around 45%. Late fall clearly feels sunnier and drier.
Influence of Tropical Climate
Bamako sits in a tropical savanna climate zone, so you get strong swings between wet and dry seasons. Fall signals the West African monsoon pulling back, and you’ll notice the humidity drop as the air gets more comfortable.
September still feels muggy with high humidity. By November, muggy days almost disappear, and the air dries out. Visitors often notice this shift right away.
Winds change up too. Early fall breezes blow mostly from the west, but by late October and November, they come from the east. Wind speeds nudge up from about 5 mph to nearly 8 mph, which helps clear out leftover humidity.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to spring and summer, fall is drier and better for being outdoors. Summer brings the most rain and humidity, while fall shifts toward clearer skies and drier air.
Winter in Bamako turns even drier, with almost no rain and cooler nights. Winter highs stay warm but without the humidity, so it’s usually the best time for travel.
Spring heats up quickly. By April, Bamako gets its hottest stretch, with highs often topping 100°F (38°C). Fall stays warm but doesn’t hit those extremes.
Temperature Trends During Fall
Bamako’s fall stays hot, but you’ll notice small changes in highs, lows, and humidity. Nights get a bit cooler, and afternoons keep their heat.
Average High and Low Temperatures
During fall, average high temperatures climb from about 31°C (88°F) in early September to around 34°C (93°F) by late November. Most days, highs rarely dip below 28°C (82°F) or shoot past 37°C (99°F).
Average lows drop from about 22°C (72°F) at the start to near 19°C (66°F) by the end. Nights hardly ever fall below 15°C (59°F) or go above 24°C (75°F).
So, you get hotter afternoons as fall goes on, but nights cool down and feel more comfortable. That contrast between day and night is a big part of Bamako’s seasonal weather.
Monthly Temperature Changes
From September to November, the trend is clear. September averages highs around 31–32°C (88–90°F), with muggy nights near 22°C (72°F). By October, highs reach closer to 33°C (91°F), while lows dip to about 20°C (68°F).
In November, the hottest afternoons hit 34–35°C (93–95°F), but nights cool off to 19°C (66°F). The hottest day of the season usually pops up in early November, sometimes reaching 35°C (95°F).
As days heat up and nights cool down, late fall feels less humid. Rainfall drops sharply too, adding to the dry, warm afternoons and cooler evenings.
Day and Night Temperature Variation
The gap between day and night temps widens as fall moves along. In September, highs and lows differ by about 9°C (16°F). By November, that gap stretches to about 15°C (27°F).
Days often feel hot or very warm, but evenings get pretty comfortable. Early mornings in late November can even feel a bit cool compared to the rest of the year.
If you’re visiting, you’ll want light clothes for the day and maybe a thin sweater for night. That bigger swing between day and night is one of the clearest signs of fall in Bamako.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Rainfall drops off sharply during fall in Bamako as the wet season ends. You’ll see fewer rainy days, lighter showers, and a steady move toward dry skies.
Transition from Wet to Dry Season
The wet season runs from May through September, but by October, the rains fade. August is the peak month, often with more than 200 mm of rainfall. In November, though, totals fall below 10 mm, and December is basically dry.
This transition happens fast. Early fall can still bring heavy showers, but by mid to late fall, you’ll see long spells of dry weather. The air dries out too, making it easier to spend time outside.
If you’re planning activities, keep in mind that roads might stay muddy in October from recent storms. By November, things dry out, and the landscape shifts from lush green to a dustier look.
Probability of Rainy Days
Rainy days drop quickly after September. In October, you might get 7–10 days with measurable rain. By November, it’s down to just 1–2 days, and December is almost always dry.
Your odds of rain in fall are way lower than in summer. Showers are shorter and lighter, and those all-day storms from July and August are rare.
Late fall offers reliable dry weather for outdoor plans. Locals also get ready for the dry season by changing up farming and water storage habits.
Average Monthly Rainfall
Here’s how rainfall averages look during fall:
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| October | 80–100 mm | 7–10 days |
| November | <10 mm | 1–2 days |
| December | ~0 mm | 0 days |
October still brings some rain, but by November, it drops off fast. December is basically dry.
Bamako gets most of its yearly rain in just a few months, so fall stands out as the dividing line between rainy and dry seasons. By late fall, rain just isn’t a big part of daily life anymore.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
Skies in Bamako shift from mostly cloudy to much clearer as fall rolls on. You’ll notice fewer gray days and more sunshine, which really changes the mood of the city.
Changes in Cloudiness
At the start of fall, Bamako skies are still pretty cloudy—about 70% of days are overcast or mostly cloudy. By late November, that drops to around 45%.
Late November usually brings the clearest days, with more than half the daylight hours clear or partly cloudy. This steady drop in cloud cover comes as the wet season ends and drier air moves in.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, September stays humid and cloudy, but October and November turn much brighter. Rain showers also get less likely as the season goes on.
Hours of Sunshine Per Day
How much sunshine you get each day depends on both cloud cover and the slowly shrinking daylight hours. Early September has about 12 hours and 20 minutes of daylight, but by late November, you get around 11 hours and 26 minutes.
Even as days get shorter, fewer clouds mean you actually see more direct sun. November often feels sunnier than September, despite having less daylight.
On average, Bamako gives you 8 to 10 hours of sunshine per day in fall. October and November are especially nice if you like warm, dry days with steady sun. Clearer skies also help with visibility for travel and exploring.
Daylight Hours and Sun Position
During fall in Bamako, daylight stays pretty steady with only small changes. The sun sits high at midday, giving off strong light and short shadows.
Length of Daylight in Fall
Daylight ranges from about 12 hours 10 minutes in September to 11 hours 31 minutes in November. The shift happens slowly, so you don’t get sudden changes in brightness.
Most days, you’ll get between 7 and 8 hours of direct sunlight. September averages about 6 hours 52 minutes, October about 7 hours 44 minutes, and November about 8 hours 22 minutes.
Even as days get shorter, you still get a high percentage of sunny daylight. In September, about 57% of daylight hours are sunny, and by November that jumps to 73%. Less cloud cover means clearer skies later in the season.
The sun’s height at noon drops as fall goes on. In September, it hits about 77.9° above the horizon, but by November, it’s closer to 57.2°. That lower angle makes shadows longer, even though the light stays strong.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In Bamako, sunrise and sunset times barely shift during fall. Early September sunrises happen around 6:15 AM, with sunsets near 6:25 PM. By late November, sunrise moves to about 6:30 AM, and sunset comes closer to 6:00 PM.
This steady pattern makes planning outdoor time pretty simple. Daylight starts and ends at nearly the same times each day, with little change.
Since Bamako sits close to the equator, twilight is short. The sky goes from light to dark fast, so evenings turn dark soon after sunset. That’s handy to remember if you’re out late.
You can count on sunrise and sunset being predictable. It’s easy to set your schedule around the daylight, with no big surprises.
Geographical and Environmental Influences
Bamako’s fall climate reflects its spot in the Niger River basin and the blend of natural and city landscapes nearby. Elevation, terrain, and land cover all play a role in shaping temperature, rainfall, and humidity patterns during the season.
Elevation and Local Geography
Bamako sits at about 1,100 feet (340 meters) above sea level. This moderate elevation can help take the edge off temperature extremes compared to lower-lying spots, but daytime highs still hit the upper 80s to mid-90s °F in the fall.
The Niger River carves a valley right through the city. That wide stretch of water adds to local humidity, especially early in the season when the air feels muggy more often than not.
Low hills and ridges surround Bamako, with elevation changes of over 600 feet in just a few miles. Projects like the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) have mapped these shifts, which can nudge wind flow and cloud patterns a bit.
Since the terrain’s uneven, you might feel cooler air lingering in shaded valleys, while slopes out in the sun heat up faster. These microclimates aren’t dramatic, but they can tweak how fast the rainy season wraps up in different neighborhoods.
Land Cover and Vegetation
Inside Bamako, about three-quarters of the land is artificial surfaces—think buildings and roads. This urban cover soaks up heat during the day and then lets it out at night, so nights stay warmer than they do outside the city.
Right outside town, the land turns to cropland (20%) and spots of tree cover (41% within 50 miles). These areas help keep things cooler since trees and crops offer shade and slow down the heat compared to pavement.
Vegetation does more than cool things down—it affects humidity too. Tree cover and cropland release moisture into the air, which keeps dew points higher early in the fall. By late season, once the rains fade, the soil dries out fast and humidity drops.
Bamako’s mix of city growth and natural vegetation shapes how you feel both heat and comfort during fall. It’s a smaller version of the global balance between forests, croplands, and urban sprawl.
Impacts on Daily Life and Activities
During fall in Bamako, temperatures creep up a bit while rainfall and humidity drop off quickly. These changes shape how you get around town and how farmers handle the switch from the wet season to the dry one.
Travel and Outdoor Planning
Daytime highs usually land in the low to mid-30s °C, while nights cool off to around 19–22°C. Mornings and evenings feel best for errands, exercise, or just getting outside.
Rainfall drops fast—from heavy downpours early on to almost nothing by late November. Roads that get muddy or even flooded in September tend to dry out by October, which makes getting around easier.
You’ll notice less cloud cover, so there’s more sun and clearer skies. That’s great for visibility when driving and makes planning outdoor stuff simpler. Still, the sun’s strong, so hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water are a must.
Later in the season, wind picks up and can whip dust around, especially on unpaved roads. If you’re sensitive to dust, it’s smart to use protective eyewear or masks.
Key considerations for travel:
- Best times outdoors: early morning and late afternoon
- Rain risk: high in September, very low by November
- Sun protection: essential throughout the season
- Dust exposure: more common by late fall
Agricultural Considerations
The sharp drop in rainfall hits farming the hardest. Early fall still brings enough moisture for late-season crops, but by November, fields depend almost entirely on stored soil moisture or irrigation.
Humidity drops too, which lowers the risk of plant diseases that thrive in damp conditions. But honestly, the drier air can really stress out crops that haven’t matured yet if you can’t get them enough water.
Farmers usually plan harvests for millet, maize, and sorghum around this time. Drying conditions help with storing grains, though you have to keep an eye out for strong winds that might damage plants before you can harvest them.
Livestock actually get some relief from cooler nights and lower humidity, but grasslands dry up fast once the rains stop. You’ll probably need to start thinking about extra feed as the season goes on.
Main agricultural impacts:
- Rainfall: reliable only in early fall
- Harvest timing: often scheduled for drier months
- Crop storage: easier with lower humidity
- Livestock: grazing declines as pastures dry out