If you spend any time in Cotonou during the fall, you’ll notice the season shifts slowly but unmistakably. Temperatures stay warm, climbing from the low 80s into the upper 80s, while nights hang out in the upper 70s.
You’ll get steady warmth and humidity, and the rain starts to back off as November approaches.
Clouds begin to break up, so you’ll see more sun than in the sticky, rain-soaked summer. Rain showers come and go at the start of fall, but they don’t stick around for long, leaving behind calmer skies and gentler breezes.
This shift makes late fall better for outdoor plans.
Humidity doesn’t really let up, and you’ll feel that thick air for much of the season. Still, with steady warmth, less rain, and longer sunny spells, fall in Cotonou has its own rhythm.
Overview of Cotonou’s Fall Climate
Fall in Cotonou brings warmer days, less rain, and shorter daylight hours. You’ll feel a steady tropical climate, with high humidity sticking around, but clouds and wind easing up as the dry season nears.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
In fall, daily highs in Cotonou move from about 82°F (28°C) up to 88°F (31°C). Nights stay warm, lows around 77°F (25°C).
Rain drops off sharply, from almost 4 inches in September to under 0.5 inches by late November.
Chances of rain fall fast. Early September brings rain about half the days, but by late November, you’ll hardly see a wet day.
Clouds thin out too. Overcast skies cover about 65% of the time in September, but by November, it’s closer to 55%, so you get more clear or partly sunny days.
Daylight shortens a bit. Early September gives about 12 hours, 14 minutes of daylight, but late November drops to around 11 hours, 47 minutes.
Tropical Climate Characteristics
Cotonou’s got a tropical wet and dry climate. Temperatures don’t really budge much year-round, and humidity stays high.
In fall, humidity hovers around 99% of days being muggy—so it’s sticky, no matter what time it is.
The coast keeps nights from cooling off. Even if daytime highs ease up, evenings and mornings still feel warm and damp. You probably won’t need more than light clothing.
Winds slow down through fall, from 9.8 mph in September to 5.8 mph by November. Most breezes blow in from the south, pushing moisture inland.
Ocean water warms up too, from about 77°F (25°C) to 83°F (28°C). That just adds to the humidity and keeps things feeling tropical.
Geographic Influences on Weather
Cotonou sits on the southern coast of Benin, right by the Bight of Benin. Its spot on the Gulf of Guinea shapes the whole fall climate.
The Atlantic Ocean keeps temperatures from getting too crazy, but it also makes sure the humidity stays high.
The city’s only 23 feet above sea level, surrounded by flat land. Within 10 miles, most of what you see is water, which locks in that maritime feel.
Because of this setup, you won’t see big temperature jumps. Instead, you’ll notice changes in rain, clouds, and wind. The ocean’s influence keeps the growing season going all year, with no frost to worry about.
Typical Fall Temperatures in Cotonou
Fall in Cotonou means steady warmth, with barely any difference between day and night. Temperatures stay pretty stable, but you’ll spot small changes as the rainy season fades and things dry out.
Average Daily Temperatures
Daily highs start out near 28°C (82°F) in early fall, then rise to about 31°C (88°F) by late November. Lows hold steady at 25°C (77°F), rarely dipping below 23°C (73°F).
That tight range means you won’t get big swings between day and night. The constant warmth, plus humidity, makes evenings feel especially heavy.
Compared to other coastal cities, Cotonou’s fall weather is more even, thanks to the Bight of Benin and the Atlantic right next door.
Monthly Temperature Variations
September usually kicks off a bit cooler, highs around 28–29°C (82–84°F), as the rainy season wraps up. By October, highs edge up to 30°C (86°F), with lows still near 25°C (77°F).
November’s the warmest fall month, with highs at 31°C (88°F) and nights still close to 25°C (77°F). This warming matches up with less rain and more sun.
Unlike inland Benin, you won’t see wild monthly changes. The shift is gradual, which makes planning outdoor stuff a lot easier.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| September | 28–29°C | 25°C |
| October | 30°C | 25°C |
| November | 31°C | 25°C |
Temperature Extremes During Fall
Extreme temps almost never happen in Cotonou during fall. Highs rarely top 32°C (90°F), and lows hardly ever fall below 23°C (73°F).
You’ll mostly notice the difference between early September and late November. September can feel a bit cooler with the rain and clouds, but November usually feels hotter as skies clear and humidity hangs on.
Thanks to the coastal location, you don’t get sudden heat waves or chilly nights. The stability makes fall one of the easier seasons to predict and plan around in Cotonou.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Fall in Cotonou comes with a mix of heavy rain early on and a steady drying out. You’ll notice big changes in rainfall from September to November, with things getting drier as the season goes.
Average Precipitation in Fall
Cotonou picks up a lot of its yearly rainfall during fall. September carries over heavy rains from summer, with totals over 200 mm—it’s one of the wettest times of year.
By October, rain eases up some, but totals are still high, usually 100–150 mm. This drop signals the move toward drier months.
November drops off sharply. Rain averages can fall under 50 mm, marking the end of the wet season. Late fall feels a lot drier than early fall.
These months really show a clear downward trend in rain, moving from heavy showers to much lighter patterns.
Monthly Rainfall Distribution
Rain in Cotonou during fall isn’t spread out evenly. September usually has the most rainy days, often 10–15 days with measurable rain. Early in the season, outdoor plans can be tricky.
October brings fewer rainy days, around 6–8 days. Showers still pop up, but they don’t last as long as in September.
By November, you’ll only get rain on 2–3 days on average. Most days are dry, and long rain spells are rare. This makes the weather a lot more predictable for everyone.
The month-to-month change shows just how quickly things go from wet to dry.
Driest Month in Fall
November is the driest fall month in Cotonou. Rain totals often drop under 50 mm, and sometimes it’s closer to 20–30 mm. With just a few rainy days, you’ll see a lot more sun and long dry stretches.
Temperatures stay warm, but less rain means the air doesn’t feel quite as sticky as earlier in the season. Outdoor comfort improves, especially in November.
If you’re thinking about traveling, November’s your best bet for dry weather. The sharp change from September’s heavy rain shows how fast the climate shifts here.
Humidity Levels in Autumn
Autumn in Cotonou keeps humidity high, but it does ease up as the rain backs off. You’ll feel a difference between September, October, and November, and that affects how comfortable it is to be outside.
Average Humidity by Month
Humidity stays up there in autumn, but it drops a bit each month.
- September: Relative humidity sits at about 84–85%. With the rain, the air feels heavy and damp almost all day.
- October: Humidity slips to around 82–83%. Rain isn’t as common, but mornings can still feel sticky until breezes pick up.
- November: Levels drop further, about 80–81%. This is the driest fall month, and evenings feel more comfortable with clearer skies.
The change is slow, not sudden. Even at its lowest, humidity rarely goes below 80%, so the air always feels moist compared to drier places.
Impact of Humidity on Comfort
High humidity changes how you feel the heat. In September, with 30°C temps and 84% humidity, it feels hotter than the thermometer says. Sweating doesn’t help much, so walking outside can feel tiring.
October is a bit better. Afternoons are still hot, but lower humidity and more sun make it nicer for sightseeing or hitting the beach. You’ll still want to drink water and stick to light clothes.
November brings the most comfortable balance. Humidity drops closer to 80%, rain backs off, and you can spend more time outside without feeling worn out. Evenings cool off, and sea breezes help, so November feels a lot easier for travel and daily life.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
In fall, you’ll notice steady changes in sunshine and clouds in Cotonou. These shifts affect how bright your days feel, even though daylight hours don’t change much near the equator.
Monthly Sunshine Hours
Cotonou averages 4.5 to 6.5 hours of sunshine per day in fall. September brings fewer hours of direct sun because clouds still linger after the wet season.
By November, skies clear more, and you can get up to 8 hours of sunshine each day.
So, September feels pretty overcast, October is a mix, and November is the sunniest, with more reliable daylight for outdoor stuff.
| Month | Average Sunshine Hours per Day | Cloud Cover Trend |
|---|---|---|
| September | ~4.5–5 hours | Heaviest clouds |
| October | ~6 hours | Moderate clouds |
| November | ~7–8 hours | Clearer skies |
If you want brighter days, plan for late fall. That’s usually the best time for long stretches of sun.
Typical Daylight Duration
Cotonou’s close to the equator, so daylight stays steady all year, even in fall. You usually get about 11.8 to 12.1 hours of daylight a day, with only small changes from September to November.
Sunrise is around 6:30 a.m., sunset near 6:30 p.m. That regularity makes planning your day pretty easy.
Even if clouds block the sun, you still get almost 12 hours of usable light. The big difference isn’t in how long the day is, but how often clouds get in the way. So, November’s clearer skies really do make outdoor plans easier.
Other Notable Fall Weather Features
You’ll see steady changes in air movement and water conditions during fall. These shifts affect how comfortable it feels outside and what you can do along the coast.
Wind Patterns and Breezes
As fall rolls in, winds in Cotonou start to slow down. Average speeds drop from about 9.8 mph in early September to around 5.8 mph by late November. The air feels noticeably calmer and not nearly as brisk as it does during the wetter months.
Wind direction really matters here. In the fall, breezes mostly blow from the south, and they peak at almost 70% of the time in early November. This southern pattern pulls in moist maritime air, so humidity stays high even when the rain starts to let up.
You’ll probably notice the air feels heavy and humid, but the strong gusts from earlier in the year are mostly gone. Outdoor plans aren’t as affected by wind, though the slower airflow can actually make the heat feel a bit more intense. If you’re heading outside, wearing light clothes and finding some shade is a smart move.
Sea Temperature and Coastal Effects
Surface water temperatures climb as the season goes on. The ocean starts at about 77°F in September and usually reaches 83°F by late November.
You’ll probably notice swimming and other water activities feel comfortable the entire fall. Honestly, the water gets so warm that it’s hard not to want to jump in.
Warmer water shapes the local climate too. The coast often feels a bit more humid since the ocean lets out extra moisture into the air.
Most days, muggy conditions stick around, and it doesn’t really matter if rainfall drops off.
If you’re visiting the coast, you’ll find the warm sea pretty inviting and safe for just about any activity. That said, the mix of high humidity and toasty water can make afternoons a little sticky.
You might prefer early mornings or evenings, when the shoreline feels more comfortable.