When you visit Mindelo in the fall, you’ll find warm days and mild nights. The temperature doesn’t swing much as the season moves along.
Average highs start out near 87°F in early September and ease down to about 82°F by late November. Lows shift from the upper 70s to the low 70s. This steady warmth keeps things comfortable, whether you’re relaxing by the coast or wandering inland.
Rainfall stays light, with only a slight uptick in showers as autumn moves forward. Skies do change a bit—by November, cloud cover becomes more common, so you get a mix of clear mornings and hazier afternoons.
You’ll notice the days get shorter, and the Atlantic waters cool down a bit as well. Meanwhile, breezes pick up, shifting mostly from the east, which keeps the air fresh.
These patterns shape Mindelo’s fall climate and set the mood for everything from outdoor adventures to those evening harbor strolls.
Overview of Fall Climate in Mindelo
In the fall, Mindelo stays warm but starts cooling off a little. Rain stays modest, and the days slowly get shorter.
You’ll find outdoor conditions pretty comfortable, though humidity, wind, and cloud cover all shift as the weeks go by.
General Climate Characteristics
During fall, daily highs usually sit between 87°F (31°C) in early September and about 82°F (28°C) by late November. Nights drop from 78°F (25°C) to around 73°F (23°C).
You’ll notice these changes if you stick around for a few weeks, but they’re not dramatic.
Rainfall stays light, about 0.7 inches (18 mm) per month on average. September’s a bit wetter, but showers are brief and not too common.
Humidity drops sharply as fall moves along. Early September can feel muggy, but by late November, things dry out and the air feels much more comfortable.
If you hate sticky weather, you might prefer visiting later in the season.
Winds pick up as fall goes on, averaging 11–13 mph and usually blowing in from the east. This breeze helps balance out the warmth.
Sea temperatures stay pleasant, between 77–79°F (25–26°C), so swimming’s still on the table all season.
How Fall Differs from Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall feels a little cooler and less humid. Summer can get pretty hot and sticky, but by October and November, the air feels nicer.
Rain can still show up, but it’s not as frequent as those quick summer storms.
Winter in Mindelo brings drier, cooler weather. Highs in winter hover around 75–77°F (24–25°C), and humidity drops even further.
If you visit in fall, you’ll still get warm evenings instead of the chillier nights that come in winter.
Spring is the driest time, with almost no rain and steady winds. Fall, on the other hand, is a transition period—there’s a bit of rain, and clouds start to show up more.
Cloud cover creeps up from about 48% in early September to 52% in late November. That makes sunsets a bit more colorful, but skies aren’t as clear as in spring or early summer.
Typical Fall Temperatures
In Mindelo, fall keeps things warm but gradually cools off as the months pass. You’ll get steady daytime heat and mild evenings, so you can enjoy being outside without worrying about any wild temperature swings.
Average High and Low Temperatures
In September, highs often reach 87°F (31°C), and by late November, they usually land closer to 82°F (28°C).
Lows start near 78°F (26°C) in early September and drift down to about 73°F (23°C) by the season’s end.
These changes are gradual, so you won’t feel big jumps from week to week.
Nights stay warm, and you rarely need more than a light layer. Temperatures almost never dip below 71°F (22°C) or climb above 89°F (32°C) this time of year.
Mindelo’s climate is considered BWh (desert climate), which is why day and night temps don’t vary much.
The heat’s pretty consistent, but humidity drops as fall goes on, so the air feels lighter than in late summer.
Monthly Temperature Trends
The warmest stretch of fall comes in mid to late September, with highs around 87°F (31°C) and lows near 78°F (26°C). It’s also when the air feels most humid.
By October, things cool off just a bit. Highs average about 85°F (29°C), and lows settle near 75°F (24°C).
November brings the coolest weather of fall. Highs average 82°F (28°C), and lows hover near 73°F (23°C). November also feels drier, so it’s more comfortable for longer outdoor days.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| September | 87°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C |
| October | 85°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C |
| November | 82°F / 28°C | 73°F / 23°C |
These gentle drops in temperature mark the seasonal transition but never really take Mindelo out of its warm, stable comfort zone.
Precipitation Patterns During Fall
Mindelo’s fall sees the most rainfall of the year, but it’s all packed into a short window. You’ll notice September is much wetter than the months that follow, and both the amount and frequency of rain drop fast.
Rainfall Amounts by Month
Rainfall peaks in September, when Mindelo gets its biggest share of annual rain. Totals usually range from 31 mm to 41 mm, making it the wettest month of the year.
Short, intense showers are most likely now.
By October, rain drops off sharply. Monthly averages fall to less than half of September’s, often between 10 mm and 15 mm.
Showers become lighter and less frequent, marking the end of the brief rainy season.
November is almost dry. You’ll see about 1–3 mm of rain, which barely registers compared to earlier months.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| September | 31–41 |
| October | 10–15 |
| November | 1–3 |
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days follow the same trend as rainfall amounts. In September, you’ll usually get 8–9 days with measurable rain.
These are mostly short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzles.
By October, you get about 3–4 rainy days. Rain is scattered and lighter, so you’ll have more dry, sunny days.
In November, rain is rare. Maybe just 1 rainy day for the whole month.
The climate shifts back to Mindelo’s usual dry, breezy pattern.
This quick drop in rainy days really shows how short the wet season is—September is the only month when rain might actually affect your plans.
Humidity and Cloud Cover in Autumn
In Mindelo’s fall, you’ll get higher humidity than most of the year, plus some real changes in cloud cover.
These two factors shape how it feels outside, especially when you throw in warm temps and shorter days.
Typical Humidity Levels
Humidity rises in late summer and hangs on through much of autumn. In September, average relative humidity often hits about 80%.
The air can feel heavy and a bit uncomfortable, especially when the wind calms down.
By October, humidity drops a bit, usually landing near 77–78%. In November, it falls further to about 75%, and things start to feel a lot less sticky.
This shift happens slowly, so you’ll notice a steady improvement as the weeks go by.
When you pair those mid-70s °F (mid-20s °C) temps with lower humidity in November, the atmosphere feels a lot more pleasant than the muggy start of fall.
If you’re sensitive to humidity, you might want to plan your trip for later in the season.
Seasonal Changes in Cloud Cover
Cloud cover also changes during fall. September brings the highest cloud coverage of the year—skies are overcast or partly cloudy up to 40–44% of the time.
This lines up with the rainy season peak.
By October, cloudiness drops, averaging closer to 30%. That lets in more sunshine and brighter days.
November keeps that trend going, with clearer skies around 25%, so you get more sun.
Less cloud cover means better visibility and makes being outside feel nicer.
If you want more blue sky and sunshine, the later months of autumn are definitely better.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
In Mindelo’s fall, you’ll notice a steady change in both sunshine hours and daylight length.
These shifts affect how much time you can really spend outside and how you plan your days.
Average Daily Sunshine
September brings fewer sunshine hours than the summer peak, averaging about 8 to 9 hours a day.
That’s mostly because of higher rainfall and more clouds.
By October, sunshine hours climb back up as the rain drops off. You’ll get closer to 9 to 10 hours of sun daily, so the days feel brighter.
November keeps things steady, with about 9 hours per day.
So September feels more humid and cloudy, but October and November are clearer.
If you’re chasing the sun, late fall is your best bet.
| Month | Avg. Sunshine Hours/Day | Notes on Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| September | 8–9 | Cloudier, highest rainfall |
| October | 9–10 | Less rain, more clear skies |
| November | ~9 | Stable, warm, and pleasant |
Variation in Daylight Hours
Daylight shrinks as fall goes on. Early September gives you about 12.2 hours of daylight, so the days still feel long, even with more clouds.
By October, that drops to around 11.7 hours, and in November it’s down to 11.3 hours.
That’s almost a full hour less from September to November.
The difference isn’t huge, but it does cut into your outdoor time a bit.
If you’re planning excursions, you’ll want to start earlier to catch the best light.
The steady drop in daylight also goes hand in hand with cooler evenings, making late-afternoon walks or waterfront visits more comfortable.
Wind Conditions in the Fall Season
In Mindelo, wind keeps playing a big role during fall, shaping the daily weather. Wind speeds change gradually, and this shift affects both comfort and how outdoor activities feel.
Prevailing Wind Patterns
In September, average wind speeds in Mindelo slow down compared to the peak summer months. You’ll feel winds around 21 km/h (13 mph), which is lighter than the brisk conditions of June and July.
By October and November, winds stay moderate, often between 19–25 km/h (12–16 mph).
The main direction is from the northeast, thanks to the trade winds that sweep Cape Verde.
These winds are steady but not wild, so you’ll usually get a consistent breeze instead of sudden gusts.
Since Mindelo sits on São Vicente island, the Atlantic helps keep this airflow going.
The coastal spot cuts down on those still, humid days, even when rain picks up in early fall.
So, wind remains a reliable part of the climate through the season.
Impact on Weather and Comfort
You’ll probably notice the lighter winds in fall change how the air feels. In September, humidity and rainfall hit their peak, and with less breeze, the air can feel warmer—maybe even a bit sticky.
By the time October and November roll around, rainfall drops off. The winds pick up a bit and help balance out those mild temperatures.
If you’re making outdoor plans, this shift matters. Water sports like sailing and windsurfing are still on the table, but the conditions aren’t as wild as they get in summer.
On land, the breeze usually keeps evenings comfortable, whether you’re out for a walk, grabbing dinner outside, or just sightseeing.
You might also notice the moderate winds clear up the air, so you get great visibility across the bay and the hills nearby. Fall really does feel pleasant if you like steady, manageable breezes instead of the wild gusts from earlier months.