When you step into Ouagadougou during the fall months, you really notice the shift from the heavy summer rains to drier, calmer days. Average fall weather in Ouagadougou brings a steady decline in rainfall, lower humidity, and slightly cooler temperatures that make the season more comfortable than the peak of the wet season.
This transition shapes the climate and changes how you experience the city outdoors.
From September through November, warm days often climb into the mid-30s °C (mid-90s °F), while nights grow noticeably cooler compared to the muggy summer. Rainfall drops off fast as fall moves on, and clearer skies become the norm.
You’ll find it much easier to plan activities without worrying about sudden heavy downpours.
As the air dries out, Ouagadougou settles into its long dry season. You get more predictable conditions, so exploring markets, enjoying cultural events, or just soaking up the city’s rhythm feels more relaxed.
Fall Weather Overview in Ouagadougou
Fall in Ouagadougou means the rainy season is winding down and drier, sunnier days are settling in. Afternoons feel hotter, nights get cooler, and both rainfall and humidity drop sharply as fall goes on.
Typical Fall Temperatures
Daily highs start around 88°F (31°C) in early fall and climb to about 94°F (34°C) by late November. Some days can even hit 97°F (36°C), though it’s rare for cooler days to dip below 83°F (28°C).
Nighttime lows slide down from 74°F (23°C) in September to about 68°F (20°C) by the end of fall. Evenings definitely feel cooler than the sticky summer nights.
You’ll notice the hottest afternoons in early November, while early September still carries some of that lingering summer warmth. The difference between day and night temperatures grows as fall moves forward.
So, you’re looking at warm to hot days but more comfortable nights—a welcome change for anyone wanting to spend time outdoors.
Rainfall Patterns in Fall
Rainfall drops off quickly once the wet season ends. At the start of September, the average total rainfall for a 31-day stretch is about 6.3 inches (160 mm). By late November, you’ll see almost 0.0 inches, so skies stay much drier.
The odds of a rainy day fall from about 80% in early September to almost zero by December. This marks the shift into the dry season, with clearer skies and less muggy air.
Heavy downpours can still hit in September, but they’re rare by October. By the end of fall, rain becomes unlikely, and you’ll get mostly dry, sunny weather.
If you’re planning a trip, September might bring a few wet afternoons, but November is nearly rain-free.
Humidity Levels During Fall
Humidity drops sharply as fall goes on. Early September feels muggy almost every day, with dew points above 70°F (21°C). By late November, muggy days shrink to nearly 1%, and the air dries out a lot.
This shift really changes how comfortable it feels. In September, high humidity makes hot afternoons feel even hotter. By November, the dry air lets sweat evaporate, so you stay cooler even on the hottest days.
Most travelers find November more comfortable, since lower humidity and less rain create clearer skies and less sticky air. This is when the long dry season really starts in Ouagadougou.
Seasonal Climate Characteristics
During fall in Ouagadougou, you’ll notice the weather changing—rainfall drops, skies clear, and humidity falls. Temperatures stay high, but the dry air and first hints of seasonal winds affect how comfortable it feels.
Transition from Rainy to Dry Season
In September, you might still get some lingering rains, though not as often as in August. By October, showers become rare, and the ground dries out fast.
Average rainfall drops from 207 mm in August to less than 50 mm by October. By November, rain is almost gone. Humidity also falls, dropping from about 70–80% in late summer to below 40% in November.
Daytime temperatures keep up, averaging 33–37°C (91–99°F), but evenings lose that heavy, moist feeling. Outdoor activities become way easier compared to earlier in the year.
Influence of Harmattan Winds
By late fall, the Harmattan—that dry wind from the Sahara—starts to show up. It usually arrives in November and sticks around through winter. These winds blow in fine dust, leaving a haze in the sky and sometimes cutting visibility.
Humidity drops even more when the Harmattan kicks in, sometimes dipping below 20%. The air can get very dry, so your skin, eyes, or breathing might feel it if you’re not ready.
The winds bring relief from the rains, but they also lower air quality. Mornings often feel cooler and more pleasant, but you’ll probably want to drink more water and maybe cover up a bit more.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Fall in Ouagadougou stands out compared to summer and winter. Summer means heavy rains, high humidity, and lots of clouds. In winter, the Harmattan gets stronger, and mornings and evenings can feel pretty cool.
Spring usually brings the year’s hottest temperatures, with peaks near 40°C (104°F) in April. Fall is still hot, but the lower humidity and less rain make the heat easier to handle.
This makes fall a real transition—part rainy season, part dry season.
Monthly Fall Weather Data
Fall in Ouagadougou marks a clear shift from the rainy season into the dry season. Temperatures go up as the months pass, rainfall drops, and skies open up, so each month—September, October, and November—feels different.
September Weather Highlights
September hangs onto the last of the wet season. You’ll see average highs around 88°F (31°C), and lows near 74°F (23°C). Rain is common early in the month, with about an 80% chance of wet days.
Humidity stays high, and most days feel muggy. Skies are often overcast or mostly cloudy, sometimes even two-thirds of the time.
Rainfall averages about 6 inches, but totals drop quickly by the end of September. Early in the month feels wetter and more humid, while late September turns drier and a bit hotter.
You get just over 12 hours of daylight at the start, but days start shortening. Winds are light, usually 4–5 mph from the south.
October Weather Highlights
October brings a move toward drier, sunnier weather. Average highs reach about 91–94°F (33–34°C), and nighttime lows dip closer to 70°F (21°C). Rain gets rare, and by mid-month, wet days drop below 20%.
Humidity goes down, and those muggy afternoons fade away. Cloud cover thins out, so you’ll see more blue sky.
Rainfall usually stays under 2 inches, and many days are totally dry. October ends up being one of the best months for outdoor plans, especially late in the month.
Winds pick up just a bit, averaging 5–6 mph, mostly still from the south. Daylight hours keep shrinking, and sunsets come earlier.
November Weather Highlights
By November, the dry season is in full swing. Average highs hit 94–97°F (34–36°C), while lows drop to about 68°F (20°C). Rain is almost unheard of, with a near 0% chance of wet days.
Humidity is very low, and muggy days are rare. Skies clear out, and more than half the days are mostly sunny.
Daylight drops to about 11.5 hours, with the earliest sunsets of the season. Winds shift, blowing more from the east, and speeds go up to 6–7 mph.
November feels hotter and drier than September or October, and the sun feels stronger during the day.
Precipitation and Rain Events
Rainfall in Ouagadougou during fall quickly shifts from the heavy wet season into dry months. September, October, and November all look different when it comes to rainy days and total precipitation. Extreme events like hail or tornadoes almost never happen here.
Average Days with Rain
September still sits in the wet season. You’ll usually get 10–12 days with measurable rain this month. Showers tend to come in short, intense bursts, often in the late afternoon or evening.
By October, the rainy season wraps up. You’ll typically see 3–5 rainy days, with lighter, less frequent storms. Skies clear up, and humidity drops.
November is just about bone-dry. Rain is very rare, with 0–1 rainy day on average. You can expect weeks of sunny skies as the dry season takes over.
| Month | Avg. Rainy Days |
|---|---|
| September | 10–12 |
| October | 3–5 |
| November | 0–1 |
Total Fall Rainfall
Rain totals drop fast as fall moves forward. In September, you can still get 100–150 mm. That’s a decent amount—especially compared to later months.
October brings a sharp drop, with 20–40 mm of rain on average. Storms get weaker, and streams and reservoirs start to dry up.
By November, rainfall is basically negligible, about 0–5 mm. The ground dries out, and plants shift into their dormant phase. For visitors, this means less risk of rain messing up plans, but also hotter afternoons with no cooling showers.
Occurrence of Hail and Tornadoes
Hailstorms almost never happen in Ouagadougou. Even when September storms get strong, the conditions just aren’t right for hail. You won’t need to worry about hail days in fall.
Tornadoes are even less likely. The local climate doesn’t support the kind of storms that make tornadoes. Historical records show no regular tornado activity in fall or any other season.
The main weather hazards are heavy downpours in September and the odd gusty wind. By October and November, severe weather risks are basically gone.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
During fall in Ouagadougou, the way air moves and how clear the sky looks really shapes the season. Wind patterns affect comfort, and visibility and air quality play a role in daily life.
Average Wind Speed in Fall
Wind speeds in Ouagadougou during fall usually stay moderate, especially compared to the dry season. You’ll see averages between 7 to 10 miles per hour (11–16 km/h), which is about normal for the city. These breezes help take the edge off the heat, but strong gusts are uncommon.
As the region moves from rainy to dry, wind direction shifts. By late October and November, the northeasterly Harmattan winds start to show up. This dry air from the Sahara gets stronger as the dry season settles in.
The early Harmattan breeze isn’t at full strength yet, but it can bring in some dust particles. The air feels drier, and nights can be a bit cooler. Most travelers appreciate the light wind, since it makes outdoor activities more comfortable and takes away some of the midday heat.
Visibility and Air Quality
In Ouagadougou, you usually get good visibility during fall, especially in September and early October. The wet season clouds start to thin, and the rain lets up, so you see clearer skies and enjoy more sunshine.
By November, the air quality begins to shift. Harmattan winds start to blow in, bringing fine desert dust that drifts across the city.
This dust can lower visibility and leave a faint haze on the horizon. Most visitors don’t find the haze too bad in fall—winter gets much worse—but if you’re sensitive, you might feel some eye or throat irritation.
If you’re planning to get outside, mornings tend to feel fresher, so maybe aim for earlier activities.
Long-Term Climate Trends and Extremes
Ouagadougou’s climate swings from very hot, dry months to a short, intense rainy season. Over the years, people have noticed rising average temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns. Sometimes, you even get extreme weather that can really disrupt daily life.
Historical Temperature Records
If you spend any time in Ouagadougou, you’ll quickly realize it’s one of the hottest spots in West Africa. The average annual temperature sits around 31–32°C (88–90°F), just a bit higher than the country’s overall average.
During April, daytime highs often climb past 40°C—it’s brutal. Nights feel coolest in January, sometimes dropping near 17°C.
Rain pours down mostly from June through September, adding up to roughly 569 mm (22 in) a year. Snow? That just doesn’t happen here, thanks to the semi-arid steppe climate.
Here’s a quick look at some extremes:
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 40 | 27 | 25 |
| August | 32 | 23 | 225 |
| December | 33 | 17 | 1 |
You can see how fast things shift between the dry and wet seasons.
Climate Change Impacts
These days, the heat in Ouagadougou feels even more unforgiving than it used to. Studies have tracked a steady rise in both daytime and nighttime temps, which means the cooler season keeps shrinking. The hot stretches just drag on longer.
Rainfall patterns have changed too. The total yearly rainfall hasn’t really left its historical range, but now the timing is unpredictable. Some years, you get quick, heavy downpours, and other years, it rains less often but for longer stretches.
These shifts hit farming, water supplies, and people’s health. Higher heat and humidity bump up the risk of heat stress, especially when it’s wet out. If you’re traveling, extreme heat can make outdoor plans a lot less comfortable, and sometimes it’s just not worth pushing through record-breaking temperatures.
Unusual Weather Events
Ouagadougou doesn’t get snow or hurricanes, but you’ll still notice some strange weather now and then. For instance, the dust storms that blow in with the Harmattan winds can really dry out the air and make it tough to see during the late dry season.
Heavy rains sometimes hit fast and hard, causing flash floods in the lower parts of the city. In August, when rainfall hits around 225 mm, streets can flood in no time, messing up traffic and damaging people’s property.
Every so often, the city bakes under extreme heat, with temperatures shooting above 43°C, especially right before the rains show up in late spring. These heat spikes just go to show how unpredictable the region’s climate can be, even when you think you know the seasonal routine.