Fall in Lilongwe, Malawi brings a noticeable shift in weather that feels calm and comfortable after the heavy summer rains.
You can expect mild daytime highs near 78°F, and nights cool off into the mid-50s. Honestly, this is one of the most pleasant times to get outside.
The skies clear up fast as fall goes on, with cloud cover dropping and rain almost vanishing by season’s end.
You’ll notice the days get shorter, with sunsets sneaking up earlier and mornings staying on the chilly side.
Humidity drops too, so the air feels a lot drier and more refreshing compared to the sticky summer months.
Winds pick up a bit, mostly from the east, and add a steady, gentle breeze that just fits the season.
This mix of steady sunshine, dry air, and moderate temperatures really makes it a good time to explore Lilongwe or even head out to the countryside.
If you want to browse local markets, take day trips, or just hang out outdoors, fall offers a nice balance of comfort and clear skies, so planning feels a lot simpler.
Overview of Fall Weather in Lilongwe
Fall in Lilongwe shifts from the wet season into the dry season.
You’ll notice cooler nights, clearer skies, and a sharp drop in rainfall as the weeks go by.
Daytime temperatures stay warm, but the air feels much more comfortable than in the humid summer.
What Defines Fall in Malawi
Fall in Malawi runs from March through May.
This is when the rainy months fade into the drier, cooler part of the year.
Rainfall and humidity drop steadily as the season moves along.
You might still get a few showers at the start of fall, but by late May, rain barely shows up.
For example, the chance of a wet day falls from about 60% in early March to just 1% by the end of May.
Daytime highs usually hover near 78°F (25–26°C).
Nighttime lows drop from around 66°F (19°C) to 54°F (12°C), so evenings feel much cooler by late fall.
General Climate Patterns
Lilongwe’s climate is warm and temperate, with clear differences between wet and dry seasons.
Fall lands right at the turning point between these two.
You get less cloud cover and more sunshine as fall goes on.
Early March often feels cloudy, but by late May, skies are mostly clear.
The percentage of overcast days drops from about three-quarters of the month to less than one-fifth.
So, fall really stands out as one of the clearest times of year.
Day length shrinks too.
In early March, you get over 12 hours of daylight, but by the end of May, it’s around 11 hours and 20 minutes.
Sunrise comes later and sunset arrives earlier, so evenings outside get a bit shorter.
Key Weather Features
A few things really stand out during fall in Lilongwe:
- Temperature: Warm days (72–84°F) with cooler nights.
- Rainfall: Drops fast, averaging 7 inches in March but almost none by May.
- Humidity: Falls noticeably, and muggy days disappear by the end of the season.
- Wind: Speeds pick up a little, averaging 6–7 mph, mostly from the east.
You’ll find the air drier and the skies clearer, which makes outdoor activities a lot more comfortable.
Farmers like this season too, since crops near harvest and there’s less risk of heavy rain.
Average Temperatures During Fall
During fall in Lilongwe, Malawi, temperatures stay warm but gradually cool off as the weeks pass.
You’ll get comfortable afternoons, cooler nights, and a steady shift toward drier, clearer weather.
Daytime Highs and Nighttime Lows
Daytime highs in fall usually stick close to 78°F (25–26°C).
They rarely dip below 72°F (22°C) or go above 84°F (29°C), so afternoons stay pleasant and never get oppressively hot.
Nighttime lows change more.
They start around 66°F (19°C) in early fall and drop to about 54°F (12°C) by the end.
On chillier nights, it can even get close to 50°F (10°C), so bring a sweater if you’re out late.
This day-night contrast is pretty normal for Lilongwe’s highland setting at over 3,400 feet above sea level.
You’ll notice mornings and evenings often feel crisp, but afternoons stay mild.
Temperature Trends by Month
From March into May, you’ll see a steady cooling.
March feels warm, with highs near 80°F (27°C) and lows in the mid-60s.
By April, highs ease down to about 77°F (25°C), and lows settle in the upper 50s.
By the end of May, highs average around 75°F (24°C), and nighttime lows can reach the lower 50s.
This gradual shift marks the move toward the cooler, dry winter.
You’ll feel the cooling most at night, while afternoons remain reliably comfortable.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Lilongwe feels much drier and less humid.
Summer highs can hit 86°F (30°C) or higher, and nights stay warmer, but rain dominates that season.
Fall has far fewer rainy days and clearer skies.
Winter follows fall and brings cooler nights, sometimes near 50°F (10°C), but daytime highs stay similar to late fall.
Spring warms up quickly and leads right into the wetter, hotter summer.
If you look at all four seasons, fall stands out for its balance: warm but not hot days, cool but not cold nights, and a big drop in humidity.
Honestly, it’s one of the most comfortable times of year for both locals and visitors.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Lilongwe in central Malawi gets most of its rain during the hot season, while the cooler months stay almost totally dry.
The change between these periods is sharp, and rainy days can vary a lot depending on the month.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall in Lilongwe is highly seasonal.
From November through April, you can expect measurable precipitation, with January usually being the wettest month.
Average rainfall in January reaches about 200–230 mm, and February is close behind.
May through September are very dry.
Rainfall in August drops to less than 2 mm on average, making it the driest part of the year.
October brings a slight increase, but totals stay low until November, when the rains come back strong.
Here’s a quick look at average monthly rainfall:
| Month | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | ~230 |
| February | ~200 |
| March | ~180 |
| April | ~50 |
| May–Sept | <5 |
| October | ~20 |
| November | ~100 |
| December | ~150 |
These numbers show just how focused the rainy season is, leaving most of the year dry.
Transition from Wet to Dry Season
The seasonal shift in Lilongwe stands out and often happens fast.
By late April, the heavy rains give way to clearer skies, and by May, the rain almost completely stops.
This marks the start of the dry season, which lasts until October.
During the dry season, humidity drops, skies stay mostly clear, and daytime temperatures remain mild.
When the wet season returns in November, rain comes back quickly, often as afternoon thunderstorms.
These storms can get intense, but they usually pass in a few hours, leaving cooler air and greener scenery behind.
Rainy Days Frequency
The number of rainy days each month changes a lot with the seasons.
In January and February, you’ll see 18–20 days with measurable rain.
Showers are frequent, so you’ll probably run into rain every few days, especially in the afternoons.
By March, that drops to around 15 rainy days, and by April it’s under 10 days.
From May through September, rain is so rare you might only see one or two rainy days the whole five months.
November brings back regular rain with about 10–12 wet days, and December jumps to around 15 days.
This steady climb leads to the peak rainy season in January.
This pattern—lots of rain, then a long dry stretch—shapes daily life, travel, and farming in Lilongwe.
Humidity, Sunshine, and Cloud Cover
During fall in Lilongwe, the air loses much of the humidity from the rainy months.
The skies brighten up, and cloud cover drops.
These changes make the season feel drier, lighter, and just easier for daily life.
Humidity Levels in Fall
Humidity in Lilongwe drops steadily as the dry season goes on.
September usually has the lowest levels, averaging about 53%, while October and November see a slow rise as the rainy season nears.
This means mornings and evenings feel cooler and less sticky than in summer.
By late November, you might start to notice more moisture in the air as rain clouds gather.
Lower humidity in early fall makes outdoor activities a lot more pleasant.
Hiking or strolling around town feels better without the heavy dampness of the wet season.
But, the dry air in September can make your skin feel parched, so don’t forget to drink water.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Fall in Lilongwe brings longer stretches of sun compared to the rainy season.
September often sees 8–9 hours of sun per day, making it one of the brightest months.
October stays sunny, though clouds start to build a bit.
By November, sunshine hours drop a little as afternoon showers return.
Still, you’ll get 6–8 hours of sunlight most days.
This much sunshine is great for outdoor tourism, like checking out markets or wildlife reserves.
If you’re outside a lot, you’ll want sun protection since the UV index stays high even on cloudy days.
Cloudiness and Sky Conditions
The skies over Lilongwe shift a lot through fall.
September skies are mostly clear, with just a bit of cloud cover.
You’ll get long views across the plateau and some crisp sunsets.
October brings more variety.
You might see sunny mornings, then partly cloudy afternoons.
By November, cloud cover thickens and the first seasonal rains usually show up in the late afternoon or evening.
In short, expect mostly clear skies in early fall and more clouds as late fall arrives.
This change marks the move from dry season to wet season and affects how you plan your time outside.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
During fall in Lilongwe, you get moderate winds and steady pressure levels.
These conditions shape comfort and visibility, so it’s worth keeping them in mind if you’re planning to be outdoors.
Typical Wind Speeds
In autumn, winds in Lilongwe average about 6 mph, which is light enough for most activities.
September and October often feel breezier, with speeds reaching 13–14 mph.
These months mark the transition to the hotter season, and you’ll notice the wind across open areas.
Stronger gusts usually show up in the afternoon.
Daytime heating stirs up the air and creates local breezes.
Mornings and evenings are calmer, so if you prefer less wind, those are good times to be out.
For travelers, it’s smart to plan hikes or city walks earlier in the day if you don’t like wind.
For locals, these breezes help cut the humidity and make warm afternoons feel more pleasant.
| Month | Avg Wind Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| September | ~13.4 mph | One of the breeziest months |
| October | ~13.4 mph | Consistently windy afternoons |
| November | Slightly lower | Winds begin to ease |
Air Pressure Trends
In Lilongwe, air pressure during fall usually sits around 658 inHg. The conditions tend to stay steady, unlike what you might find near the coast.
You probably won’t notice big swings in pressure here, which helps keep the weather pretty predictable. Sudden changes just don’t happen that often.
As the season moves along, pressure slowly shifts as the rains get closer. Early fall brings higher pressure, but by November, you might spot a slight drop as more moisture creeps into the air.
These changes can affect cloud cover. At the start of the season, skies look clearer, but later weeks sometimes bring haze or scattered clouds.
For travelers, September and early October usually offer the best visibility and light for photos.
Because the pressure stays steady, disruptive storms rarely show up in fall. Outdoor plans and regional trips are less likely to get interrupted.
Travel Tips for Experiencing Fall in Lilongwe
During fall, Lilongwe feels mild during the day and cool at night, with rain dropping off sharply. These comfortable conditions are great for outdoor activities, but you’ll want to prepare for the temperature swings.
Best Activities for Fall Weather
Clearer skies and dry weather make it much easier to spend time outside. If you like exploring, national parks like Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve or Dzalanyama Forest Reserve are much more accessible when the trails aren’t muddy.
Wildlife viewing gets better too, since animals gather near water as the rains fade away.
Walking around the city feels more comfortable in fall. Old Town markets and the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre become easier to visit without the sticky humidity.
With average highs in the mid-70s °F (about 24°C), sightseeing during the day is pleasant.
If you’re into local culture, fall is a great time to check out events or visit villages outside the city. The dry season makes rural roads more reliable, so you can explore beyond Lilongwe without worrying much about floods or rough conditions.
Packing and Preparation Advice
Bring clothes that work for warm afternoons but also keep you cozy when evenings get chilly. I always toss in a light jacket or sweater since nighttime temps can dip into the mid-50s °F (about 12°C).
During the day, go for breathable shirts and either trousers or long skirts. You’ll stay comfortable under the sun that way.
Rain doesn’t show up much in fall, but I’d still pack a compact umbrella or a light rain jacket, especially if you’re visiting early in the season. Comfortable walking shoes make a huge difference if you’re planning to wander through markets, parks, or maybe hit a hiking trail.
Don’t forget sun protection. Even with shorter days, those UV levels stick around. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat really help you avoid sunburn.
It’s also smart to carry insect repellent. Mosquitoes can still hang around water, even with the drier weather.