When you think about fall in Blantyre, you get a season that’s always changing. Temperatures drop from warm to mild, skies clear out pretty fast, and rainfall fades away as the months go by.
You’ll notice cooler nights, drier air, and way fewer rainy days than you’d get in the sticky summer months.
The city’s whole vibe feels different when the weather shifts like this. Days get a bit shorter, but you still enjoy plenty of sunshine for being outside.
The air isn’t as humid, winds stay pretty moderate, and the weather settles into a more predictable groove. That makes planning your day or a trip around town a whole lot easier.
Maybe you’re curious about how the cool evenings change things, or just want to know how little it rains by late May. Fall in Blantyre shows a clear pattern that’s honestly worth understanding.
Overview of Fall Weather in Blantyre
Fall in Blantyre, Malawi, marks the move from the rainy season into the dry season.
You’ll get cooler temperatures, clearer skies, and much less rain as the months go on.
Key Fall Climate Characteristics
Blantyre’s daily highs cool off during fall, dropping from about 78°F (25.5°C) in early March to around 74°F (23.5°C) by late May.
Nights cool down even more, with lows falling from about 66°F (19°C) to 58°F (14°C).
Rainfall drops off fast. At the start of fall, you might see 6.5 inches of rain in a month, but by the end, you’ll get less than 0.5 inches.
The chance of a wet day goes from over 50% in March to almost nothing by late May.
Clouds clear out too. Early on, skies are mostly cloudy about two-thirds of the time. By late May, you’ll see clear or mostly clear skies nearly 90% of the time.
With less humidity, days get sunnier and nights feel cooler.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Fall really stands out compared to the wet summer. In January and February, you deal with heavy rainfall, sticky air, and lots of clouds.
Fall flips the script with drier air, fewer storms, and steady sunshine.
Winter, from June to August, brings cooler and drier weather than fall. Nights in winter can dip to 56°F (13°C), while fall nights stay a bit warmer.
Spring, starting around September, gets hotter and even drier. You’ll notice the heat rising and maybe catch the first hints of the next rainy season.
Fall lands right in the middle, offering moderate warmth and dropping rainfall, which honestly makes it one of the better times to be around.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
The pattern’s pretty clear: wet to dry.
March can still hang onto some wet season rain, but showers fade quickly week by week.
By late April, the dry season takes over, and May is usually bone dry.
Humidity falls fast. Early March feels muggy, but by late May, the air dries out almost every day.
That makes things more comfortable and cuts down on those heavy afternoon storms.
Winds keep steady, averaging about 6 mph, mostly coming from the south.
Daylight shrinks too, with about 12 hours, 24 minutes in early March and dropping to 11 hours, 15 minutes by late May.
You really see how quickly fall changes the climate in Blantyre.
Average Temperatures During Fall
In Blantyre, fall brings a steady dip in both daytime highs and nighttime lows.
The weather shifts from warm and humid to cooler and drier, and you’ll definitely feel the difference.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During fall, daytime highs usually go from about 78°F (25.5°C) in early March down to 74°F (23.5°C) by late May.
Temperatures rarely go above 84°F, so afternoons stay mild and not too hot.
At night, average lows drop from 66°F (19°C) to about 58°F (14.5°C).
Nights get noticeably cooler as fall rolls on. By late May, you might want a light sweater if you’re out after dark.
This mix of warm days and cool nights makes it great for being outside. You probably won’t run into any extreme heat or cold, but the cooler evenings really stand out as a fall thing.
Monthly Temperature Trends in Fall
From March to May, both highs and lows step down month by month.
- March: Highs near 78°F, lows around 66°F.
- April: Highs drop to 76°F, lows hit about 62°F.
- May: Highs settle at 74°F, with lows near 58°F.
That gradual cool-down matches the end of the wet season and start of the dry.
Rain falls off a cliff, clouds clear out, and nights cool off faster.
By May, it feels a lot drier and less humid compared to March.
If you’re traveling, this cooling trend means you can count on comfortable days for sightseeing and cool nights for a good sleep.
Factors Influencing Temperature Changes
A few things shape temperature patterns in Blantyre during fall.
The city sits at about 3,400 feet (1,040 meters), which keeps things milder than down in the lowlands.
Higher altitude means less extreme heat, but it also lets nights cool off pretty quickly.
When the wet season ends, clearer skies and lower humidity help the temperature drop faster after sunset.
Shorter days add to the cooling. From March to May, you lose over an hour of daylight, so the sun has less time to warm things up.
With less sun and more clear nights, the ground loses heat faster, and that really pushes average temps down.
Rainfall Patterns in Fall
Rainfall in Blantyre during fall changes fast—from heavy downpours in the wet season to barely any rain by winter.
You’ll notice both the amount of rain and number of rainy days drop off sharply as fall goes on.
Monthly Rainfall Amounts
In March, you can expect around 6.5 inches (165 mm) of rain in a typical month.
Storms still roll through, sometimes intense, but not as long as in peak summer.
By April, average rainfall drops to about 2–3 inches (50–75 mm).
Rain showers get less reliable, and most days are dry.
By May, rainfall drops to less than 1 inch (25 mm) for the whole month.
Some years, you might not see any real rain at all. That’s when the wet season ends and the dry winter starts.
| Month | Average Rainfall | Rainy Days (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 6.5 in (165 mm) | 12–15 days |
| April | 2–3 in (50–75 mm) | 5–7 days |
| May | <1 in (25 mm) | 1–2 days |
Transition from Wet to Dry Season
Fall moves from wet to dry faster than any other time of year.
At the start of March, you still have a 57% chance of a wet day, but by late May, that drops to just about 6%.
Clouds clear out just as quickly. Early March is often overcast, but by May’s end, most days are clear.
This change dries out the landscape, and you’ll see fields and plants turning brown after months of steady rain.
Daylight hours shrink a bit, but the biggest difference is the drop in humidity.
The air loses its muggy feel, so being outside gets a lot more comfortable as the rain fades away.
Impact of Rainfall on Local Activities
Changing rain patterns directly affect how you plan things in Blantyre.
March can still bring heavy showers that mess with travel, especially on rural roads that flood or get muddy.
Outdoor events need backup plans thanks to lingering storms.
By April, travel and tourism get easier. Showers don’t last as long, and you can count on more clear skies for sightseeing.
Farmers have to adjust to less rain and start prepping for the dry stretch.
By May, the dry weather is great for hiking, tours, and exploring the city.
Roads are reliable and visibility is better. Farming shifts to a dry period, so irrigation becomes key for crops.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
In fall, Blantyre slowly moves from the wet season into drier weather.
Humidity drops off, while winds stay light to moderate, shaped by the local hills and seasonal changes.
These shifts affect how comfortable it is outside, how clear the air feels, and how you plan your day.
Relative Humidity Levels in Fall
March brings high humidity, usually 75–80%, as the rainy season wraps up.
By April, things dry out to 70–73%, so the air doesn’t feel as sticky.
May is the driest, with humidity around 65–70%, which makes outdoor stuff much more pleasant.
This drop in humidity happens because rain almost disappears after March.
With fewer clouds and less moisture, the air clears up.
Mornings can still feel a bit humid, but afternoons are noticeably drier.
If you’re traveling or working outside, this makes things much more comfortable. Farmers also use the dry air as a sign that the growing season is winding down and it’s time to start harvesting.
| Month | Average Relative Humidity (%) |
|---|---|
| March | 75–80 |
| April | 70–73 |
| May | 65–70 |
Typical Wind Speeds and Directions
Winds in Blantyre during fall are usually light to moderate, around 6–12 km/h (4–7 mph).
Mornings often start calm, but breezes usually pick up by the afternoon.
Wind directions shift a bit as fall goes on. In March, winds can still bring in moisture from the northeast, thanks to leftover rains.
By April and May, winds turn more southeasterly, carrying in drier air from the interior.
Blantyre’s elevation—about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet)—shapes how the wind moves.
Hills and valleys channel the breezes, so some neighborhoods feel windier than others.
But honestly, wind speeds rarely get strong enough to be a problem in fall.
So, if you’re visiting, you’ll probably enjoy gentle breezes that make warm afternoons feel better.
Light winds also help clear out humidity, making the air feel fresher and sightseeing more enjoyable.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
In fall, Blantyre gives you long days and more sunshine.
Day length changes a bit, but you’ll actually get more hours of direct sun as fall heads toward the rainy season.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
You can expect about 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sunshine per day during fall.
September starts off with a little less, while October and November bring the brightest days before clouds roll in for the rains.
This steady climb in sunshine means you get bright, reliable weather for most of the day.
Compared to the rainy summer, fall skies are clearer and rain interrupts things less often.
Here’s what the averages look like:
| Month | Average Daily Sunshine Hours |
|---|---|
| September | ~8.6 hours |
| October | ~9.2 hours |
| November | ~9.4 hours |
Fall is honestly one of the sunniest stretches in Blantyre.
You can plan outdoor plans with confidence since daylight is both long and steady.
Sunshine Duration by Month
From September through November, you’ll notice the monthly sunshine slowly climbing. In September, you can expect about 260–270 hours of sunshine.
By October, those hours bump up to around 275–280 hours. November usually tops out at 280–285 hours.
You’ll see this pattern because the days get clearer and there’s less rain compared to the wet season. October really stands out—it’s often the brightest month, honestly.
| Month | Total Sunshine Hours (approx.) |
|---|---|
| September | 260–270 hours |
| October | 275–280 hours |
| November | 280–285 hours |
So, fall delivers some of the most reliable daylight all year. You get those long hours that make travel, sightseeing, and outdoor work a lot easier, without having to worry about the weather messing up your plans.
How Fall Weather Affects Daily Life in Blantyre
When fall rolls into Blantyre, temperatures start to rise after the chillier winter. Rainfall also picks up as November gets closer.
These shifts affect how much time you actually want to spend outside, and even how you handle things at home.
Outdoor Activities and Events
Early fall brings warm, dry days. Highs usually hover around 81–84°F (27–29°C). Skies stay mostly clear, especially in September and October. That’s perfect for walking, hiking, or checking out outdoor markets.
But as November nears, humidity creeps up and rain shows up more often. Outdoor events can get interrupted, so you might have to plan around sudden downpours. Sports fields and venues often get ready by changing schedules or moving things indoors.
Tourism tends to peak early in the season. People visit to enjoy the comfortable weather before the heavy rains start. If you’re wandering through parks or going to festivals, try mornings or late afternoons—those times just feel nicer.
Tip: Go for light clothes during hot afternoons, but keep a light rain jacket close, just in case a storm sneaks up later in the season.
Implications for Home and Living
At home, the shift from dry to wet weather changes how you handle daily routines. In September and October, you get lower humidity, so laundry dries fast, and indoor spaces usually feel comfortable without much cooling.
By November, rain picks up, and the muggy air brings new challenges. Dampness can really encourage mold growth, so try to keep windows open for ventilation when you can.
Fans help keep air moving and cut down on indoor moisture. You might want to check your roof and gutters before heavy rains hit, since leaks and clogged gutters lead to water damage pretty quickly.
Farmers and gardeners also tweak their planting schedules, since the rainy season gives crops like maize and vegetables a better shot at thriving.
Key household focus:
- Ventilation for comfort and mold prevention
- Roof and gutter checks
- Adjusting food storage to avoid spoilage in humid conditions