Fall in Lagos really brings a shift in the weather. The heavy summer rains finally start to ease up.
Rainfall tapers off from September through November, and temperatures slowly climb back toward the hotter months ahead. You’ll notice a mix of wet days and sunnier stretches, so the season feels less intense than the peak rainy months.
Instead of those endless, heavy downpours in June and July, you get shorter bursts of rain. Sunshine hours start to creep up, and the air feels warmer and not quite as damp as it did in mid-summer.
These changes shape how comfortable it feels to be outside, whether you’re running errands or planning a trip.
By late fall, drier skies and warmer highs hint at the upcoming dry season. If you want the details—temperatures, rainfall, humidity—Lagos’ fall climate has plenty to explore.
Overview of Fall Weather in Lagos
During fall, Lagos stays warm and humid, but rainfall drops off noticeably from the summer wet season. Skies start to clear, winds shift, and both land and sea conditions create a more comfortable atmosphere for daily life.
Fall Months in Lagos
Fall in Lagos covers September, October, and November. These months mark the transition from the heavy rains of summer to the drier, sunnier start of winter.
Rainfall stays frequent in September, averaging around 6 inches for the month. By November, that drops to less than 1 inch. Late fall ends up as one of the driest times of year.
Daytime highs rise a bit, moving from about 82°F (28°C) in early September to around 89°F (32°C) by late November. Nights don’t cool off much, averaging in the mid-70s°F (24–26°C).
As fall rolls on, you’ll notice less cloud cover. Overcast skies rule in early fall, but by late November, you get more clear or partly sunny days.
General Climate Characteristics
Lagos has a tropical wet and dry climate, so fall stays warm and sticky. Temperatures rarely dip below 73°F (23°C) or go above 91°F (33°C).
The sea warms up too, reaching 83–84°F (28–29°C) by November, which keeps the air humid.
Humidity stays high, so muggy days are the norm. Even though the number of muggy days drops a bit, you’ll still feel that sticky air most of the time.
Wind speeds slow down, averaging 8 mph in September and dropping to about 5 mph in November. The wind shifts from the west to the south as fall goes on. That change can influence air quality and how comfortable it feels along the coast.
Daylight hours get a little shorter, but not by much. You still get about 12 hours of light each day—sunrise around 6:30 AM and sunset near 6:30 PM.
How Fall Differs From Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Lagos is way less rainy. The wet season peaks in June and July, but by mid-fall, rain barely shows up. Outdoor plans become a lot more predictable.
Unlike the dry season in winter, fall sticks with higher humidity and warmer sea temperatures. The air feels heavier, and you might notice more haze than during the crisp, clear days of December and January.
Spring in Lagos is hotter, with March usually being the warmest month. Fall, on the other hand, brings more moderate highs, so it’s more comfortable—even if it’s still pretty humid.
Basically, fall is a transition period. Rains fade, skies brighten, and winds calm down.
Average Temperatures During Fall
Through the fall in Lagos, temperatures stay warm and steady. Daytime highs inch up a bit, but nighttime lows barely budge, so you get reliably warm conditions all season.
Typical Highs and Lows
In fall, daily high temperatures in Lagos usually range from 82°F to 89°F (28°C to 32°C). Highs almost never dip below 80°F or go above 91°F, so afternoons are always warm.
Daily lows hover around 76°F (24°C) and rarely fall below 73°F or climb above 79°F. Nights stay humid and mild, so the air never really cools off. Unlike some tropical places, Lagos doesn’t get chilly after sunset.
Since both highs and lows stay in a narrow range, Lagos keeps a steady tropical feel. Mornings warm up right after sunrise, and evenings stay muggy well into the night.
Monthly Temperature Trends
From September to November, Lagos gets a little warmer. In early September, highs are around 82°F (28°C), but by late November, they’re often up to 89°F (32°C).
Nighttime lows hold steady at 76°F (24°C to 25°C), with only a slight bump toward late November. You don’t have to adjust much to seasonal changes here.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| September | 82–85°F | 75–76°F |
| October | 85–87°F | 76–77°F |
| November | 87–89°F | 76–77°F |
So, no matter when you visit in fall, you’ll find hot afternoons and warm nights.
Temperature Variability
Unlike places with big swings, temperature in Lagos stays pretty stable during fall. Extreme heat or cool spells are rare. Highs almost never top 91°F (33°C), and lows rarely drop below 73°F (23°C).
Daily changes are minor. Mornings and evenings differ by just a few degrees, so you don’t get the sharp contrasts you’d see in drier climates.
The city’s spot along the Atlantic helps keep temperatures steady. The ocean keeps things from heating up or cooling down too quickly. So, whether you’re out during the day or at night, you can count on consistent warmth.
Rainfall Patterns in Fall
Rainfall in Lagos during fall shifts fast, moving from frequent heavy showers in September to much drier weather by late November. You’ll notice a sharp drop in both the total rainfall and the number of wet days as fall goes on.
Rainy Season Overview
At the start of fall, Lagos still feels the tail end of the long rainy season. September brings heavy downpours on more than half of the days.
Rainfall drops off quickly as the weeks pass. By November, showers are rare, and most days stay dry. That shift marks the start of the city’s short dry season.
As rain fades, the air gets a little less humid, but it’s still muggy compared to drier inland spots. You’ll see clearer skies and more sunshine toward the end of fall, which makes being outside easier.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall totals swing a lot across the three fall months. In September, Lagos averages about 150–180 mm (6–7 inches) of rain, though some years bring more.
October sees a big drop, with totals closer to 80–100 mm (3–4 inches). By November, rainfall falls to around 20–40 mm (1 inch or less).
| Month | Average Rainfall |
|---|---|
| September | 150–180 mm |
| October | 80–100 mm |
| November | 20–40 mm |
If you visit in early fall, you’ll still need to prep for heavy showers. Later months are much drier and more predictable.
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days drop off too. In September, you might see rain on 12–15 days, often with intense showers that don’t last long.
By October, that usually drops to 7–9 rainy days. Rain gets lighter and less frequent, though the odd storm can still pop up.
In November, Lagos averages only 2–4 rainy days. Most days stay dry, and the chance of a wet day drops below 10%. Late fall is one of the best times for outdoor plans.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
During fall in Lagos, you’ll run into a mix of cloudy skies and limited sunshine. The season follows the rainiest stretch of the year, so overcast days are common, but you still get some brighter breaks.
Mostly Cloudy Days
Most days in Lagos during fall are pretty cloudy. September and October still bring heavy rain, which means thick cloud cover. By November, the rain lets up, but overcast skies still stick around.
Cloud cover stays high in early fall, often blocking 70–80% of the sky. The atmosphere feels humid and dim, even when it’s not raining.
As fall moves on, you’ll see fewer cloudy days. November marks the start of the dry season, so you get more partly cloudy intervals than earlier in the fall.
Hours of Sunshine
Sunshine is hard to come by in Lagos during much of fall, especially in September and October. On average, you’ll only get about 3–4 hours of direct sun each day because of the clouds and rain.
By November, sunshine picks up as rainfall drops. You might see 5–6 hours of sun a day, which is great if you want to be outdoors.
For reference:
- September: ~3–4 hours/day
- October: ~4 hours/day
- November: ~5–6 hours/day
This gradual increase means late fall is better if you want clearer skies and more daylight.
Seasonal Changes in Cloudiness
Cloudiness in Lagos changes a lot during fall. September is still part of the wet season, so skies are gray and full of moisture. October brings a little less rain, but clouds still rule most of the month.
By November, things shift as the dry season starts. The sky gets less overcast, and you’ll see more sun. Humidity also starts to ease, so the clouds don’t feel quite as heavy.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, keep this in mind. Early fall needs some flexibility because of the persistent gray skies, but late fall offers steadier weather with fewer interruptions from clouds.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
During fall in Lagos, high humidity really shapes how the weather feels. The air temperature doesn’t change much, but all that moisture makes a big difference in comfort.
Average Humidity in Fall
Humidity in Lagos stays high all year, and fall is no different. Relative humidity during fall ranges between 78% and 85%, depending on the month. October usually has some of the highest humidity levels, while November drops a bit as the dry season gets closer.
These numbers are very humid by global standards. Even as rain eases in late fall, the air still feels damp. Mornings and evenings often feel sticky, and clothes might not dry quickly.
If you’re planning to be outside, don’t expect much relief from the humidity. Breezes near the coast help a little, but inland Lagos can feel heavier and less airy. This constant moisture is just part of Lagos weather in fall.
Impact on Perceived Temperature
High humidity makes it feel warmer than the actual temperature. In Lagos, fall daytime highs usually stick between 28°C and 31°C (82°F to 88°F). With humidity above 80%, your body has a harder time cooling off, so it feels several degrees hotter.
A 30°C day with 85% humidity can easily feel like 35°C. That “feels-like” temperature explains why afternoons can be more draining than you’d expect.
At night, the combo of warmth and humidity can make sleeping tough without air conditioning or a good fan. Travelers often look for places with reliable cooling systems.
If you’re sensitive to heat stress, try to plan outdoor activities for early morning or late evening. That way, you’ll get slightly cooler air and a more comfortable experience, even with all the humidity.
Other Fall Weather Considerations
If you spend time in Lagos during fall, you’ll notice changes in wind speed, rainfall patterns, and how comfortable it feels outside. These shifts can affect what you do each day, how you get around, and sometimes even your safety. It’s honestly not a bad idea to keep an eye on reliable weather info and plan ahead.
Wind and Air Quality
Winds in Lagos weaken as fall goes on. Early September usually brings average speeds of about 8.5 mph, but by late November, winds slow down to around 5 mph. At first, breezes blow in from the west, but later they start coming more from the south.
When the wind slows down, there’s less natural ventilation. That lets vehicle emissions, smoke, and dust hang around in the air longer, especially in busy spots. Lagos doesn’t deal with the kind of air pollution you find in big industrial cities, but you might still spot hazy skies on those calm days.
If you’re sensitive to air quality, mornings usually feel fresher before the city’s traffic starts up. Hanging out closer to the coast can help too, since sea breezes tend to keep the air moving better than you’ll find inland.
Flooding and Extreme Events
You can still get heavy rainfall in early fall, especially in September. Lagos sits at a low elevation of about 12 feet above sea level, and water surrounds much of the city, with the Atlantic Ocean and Lagos Lagoon nearby. Some districts end up more vulnerable to flooding when storms roll through.
By late October or November, the rain usually lets up a lot, and flooding becomes less of a worry. Still, even moderate storms can overwhelm urban drainage, leaving roads underwater for hours at a time.
Tropical storms and other extreme weather don’t often hit Lagos directly, but heavy rain bands from nearby systems can cause problems. If you need to get around, it’s smart to check the local forecast and try to avoid low-lying routes when it’s pouring.
Best Times for Outdoor Activities
Fall brings steadily better weather for spending time outside. You’ll notice less rain, clearer skies, and calmer winds by the time November rolls around. Daytime highs usually hang out in the upper 80s °F. Nights drop to the mid-70s °F, which feels warm but honestly, it’s pretty comfortable.
If you’re into the beach or like coastal walks, you’re in luck. Sea surface temperatures climb from around 78°F in September to about 83°F by November, so water activities feel a lot nicer.
For sightseeing or walking tours, you’ll want to stick to mornings or late afternoons. Midday can get muggy. Still, as the season goes on, you get more sun and drier days, which makes exploring Lagos a lot more enjoyable.