Fall in Praia, Cape Verde brings steady warmth, gentle trade winds, and fewer rainy days as the season goes on. Daytime highs hover around 79°F and don’t really budge much from September through November, so planning’s pretty straightforward.
Nights stay mild, and temperatures rarely dip below the low 70s. You’ll probably never need a sweater.
Rain showers pop up more often early in the season, but they fade fast, leaving plenty of dry stretches. Skies clear up as cloud cover drops, and the air feels less sticky by late fall.
This shift brings comfortable weather for outdoor adventures or relaxed evenings by the coast. You get a nice, easygoing vibe.
Daylight hours do get shorter, but there’s still lots of sun for beach days or city exploring. Winds pick up a bit as the months roll on, adding a refreshing breeze that balances the tropical warmth.
With all this, fall gives you a reliable mix of sun, warmth, and comfort. Praia stays appealing well beyond the summer.
Overview of Fall Weather in Praia
Fall in Praia, Cape Verde brings warm temperatures, high humidity, and a shift from wetter to drier conditions. You feel steady warmth day and night, while cloud cover, rainfall, and wind change up the daily weather.
Seasonal Climate Characteristics
During fall, daytime highs in Praia usually stick between 76°F and 82°F. Nighttime lows hover around 73°F to 80°F.
You don’t get sharp temperature drops after sunset. Water temperatures stay warm too, starting near 81°F in early fall and cooling a bit to about 78°F by late November.
Rain falls most often in September. Monthly totals can reach 1.8 inches, but rain drops off fast as the season goes on, falling to less than 1 inch by November.
Wet days become rare. The chance of rain falls from about 24% in early fall to 9% by the end.
Humidity stays high, with muggy conditions almost every day. The percentage of muggy hours drops slowly through the season, but September especially feels sticky.
Wind speeds climb steadily, from about 10 mph to 14 mph, mostly out of the north.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Praia feels a bit cooler and less rainy. Summer brings the most showers and thunderstorms, but fall marks the start of the dry season.
By late November, rain is rare, and skies clear up compared to September.
Winter in Praia turns drier and windier than fall. You still get mild temperatures, but daily highs drop closer to 75°F, and humidity falls even more.
Spring is also dry, but winds ease off, and the air feels more comfortable than in fall.
Daylight hours shrink quickly in fall. In September, you get about 12 hours, 24 minutes of daylight, but by late November, it’s just over 11 hours.
You really notice the difference from the longer, brighter summer days.
Geographic and Environmental Influences
Praia sits on Santiago Island, facing the Atlantic Ocean, and that shapes most of its fall weather. The ocean keeps temperatures steady, so you don’t see big swings between day and night.
The sea also keeps the air humid, especially early in the season.
The island’s arid climate means overall rainfall stays low, but when showers come, they can be quick and heavy. Local topography matters too.
Areas near higher ground might catch more rain, while the coastal city itself often stays drier.
Wind patterns in fall come from the northeast trade winds. These winds get stronger as fall goes on, bringing cooler air from the north and making late fall breezier.
Paired with warm sea surfaces, this creates a steady but comfortable coastal climate.
Average Fall Temperatures
During fall in Praia, the weather stays warm and steady, with only small changes from September to November. Daytime highs stay in the upper 70s to low 80s °F.
Nighttime lows stay close to the mid to upper 70s °F, so the daily range is pretty narrow.
Average Daytime Temperature Ranges
Daytime highs in Praia stick around 79°F (26°C to 27°C) for most of fall. The warmest days reach about 81°F.
Cooler afternoons rarely dip below 76°F. You don’t see big temperature swings.
Unlike many coastal places, Praia avoids extreme heat spikes. Walking, sightseeing, or just relaxing outside feels comfortable.
Here’s a quick look at typical daytime highs:
| Month | Average High (°F) | Range (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 80–81 | 78–82 |
| October | 79–80 | 77–81 |
| November | 78–79 | 76–80 |
Because the variation is so small, you can plan your days without stressing about surprise weather changes.
Nighttime Temperature Patterns
At night, Praia stays mild, usually between 73°F and 80°F. The average low hangs near 77°F, with September nights a bit warmer and November nights a touch cooler.
Humidity often makes evenings feel warmer than the number on the thermometer, especially in early fall when muggy conditions are more common.
By late November, the air dries out a little, so nights feel more comfortable.
If you like sleeping with the windows open, you’ll probably find the nights warm but manageable. Air conditioning isn’t always a must, especially later in the season when the breeze picks up.
Monthly Temperature Trends
Across the fall months, Praia weather cools off slowly. September is the warmest, with highs near 81°F and lows around 78°F.
October dips a bit, with highs near 80°F and lows around 77°F. By November, averages fall again, with highs near 78°F and lows close to 75°F.
The drop is so gentle that you’ll still get summer-like warmth even late into November.
Water temperatures follow along, starting near 81°F in early fall and cooling to about 78°F by late November. The sea stays inviting for swimming all season.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Praia gets little rainfall most of the year, but late summer and early fall bring short, heavy showers. Rain mostly falls in just a few months, with September as the peak.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Praia has a semi-arid climate, with annual rainfall around 200 mm (7–8 inches). That’s pretty low compared to most coastal cities.
Most of the year is dry, with only trace rain from November to July. Almost all of the annual rain comes in late August, September, and early October.
To put it in context:
- Praia: ~202 mm per year
- Barcelona, Spain: ~644 mm per year
- Seoul, South Korea: ~1237 mm per year
That really shows how little rain Praia gets.
Monthly Rainfall Variation
Rain falls unevenly through the year. September is the wettest month, with about 75–80 mm of precipitation.
You’ll get a few short, intense downpours. August and October also get some rain, but way less.
By November, skies clear and rain nearly vanishes. From December through July, totals often stay under 2 mm monthly, with some months almost bone dry.
This sharp divide between wet and dry months defines Praia weather. The rainy season is short, but it brings almost all the year’s precipitation.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Even in the wettest stretch, it doesn’t rain every day. September brings about 6–8 rainy days, usually featuring heavy showers that quickly give way to sun.
May only sees 2–3 days with light rain, and many months have none at all.
Most days in Praia are dry, even during the rainy season. Showers tend to be brief and scattered, so you’ll often get long stretches of clear skies.
This makes it easy to plan outdoor activities, even during peak rainfall.
Humidity and Cloud Cover
During fall in Praia, expect high humidity that slowly eases as the season goes on, paired with a gradual drop in cloud cover. These two factors shape how the air feels and how comfortable it is to be outside.
Relative Humidity Levels
Humidity in Praia stays high all fall, with most days feeling muggy. At the start, nearly every day is humid, but by late November, this drops a bit—though it’s still above 90%.
You’ll almost always notice moisture in the air, especially in the mornings and evenings. Even though temperatures stay in the upper 70s °F, the high dew points make the air feel warmer and heavier.
Humidity rarely dips into the “comfortable” range. Whether you’re walking in the city or relaxing by the coast, expect sticky air.
Even as rain chances drop, the moist atmosphere lingers, so lightweight clothes and staying hydrated are smart choices.
Changes in Cloud Cover
Cloud cover in Praia drops as fall goes on. Early September is usually the cloudiest, with overcast or mostly cloudy skies about two-thirds of the time.
By November, that’s down to about half the time, so you get more breaks of clear skies.
The cloudiest days show up in early September, when overcast skies peak. By mid to late October, you’ll notice more variety, with some days offering longer stretches of sunshine.
Here’s a quick trend:
- September: ~66% cloudy skies
- October: ~60% cloudy skies
- November: ~55% cloudy skies
This change makes outdoor sightseeing and photography easier as fall moves along.
Impact on Comfort and Visibility
High humidity mixed with thick cloud cover early in the season can make the air feel heavy and cut down visibility, especially near the coast.
Haze from moisture can blur the horizon and limit long-distance views.
As fall goes on, less cloud cover improves visibility a bit. Brighter skies let you see farther across the ocean and landscape, though the air still holds plenty of moisture.
With warm temperatures and constant humidity, you may feel warmer than the thermometer suggests. Doing outdoor activities early or late in the day can help you dodge the muggiest hours.
Wind Speed and Weather Dynamics
In fall, wind shapes the daily weather in Praia in a pretty steady way. Speeds stay moderate, and trade winds drive most of Cape Verde’s climate.
Typical Fall Wind Speeds
In autumn, average wind speeds run around 12 to 15 knots (about 22–28 km/h). These winds are steady but not wild, so most visitors find outdoor activities comfortable.
Breezes feel stronger along the coast, especially in open spots without much shelter. Inland, the wind eases a bit but still helps cool things down.
Compared to summer, fall winds are steadier and less jumpy. Lower summer humidity also makes the air feel drier and more refreshing.
For water sports, fall brings enough wind for sailing and windsurfing, but not the tough gusts of peak season.
Overall, fall wind speeds balance comfort and activity. You probably won’t face disruptive gusts, but you’ll notice a constant breeze shaping the city’s feel.
Wind Direction and Seasonal Trends
The northeast trade winds shape Praia’s climate, especially during fall. These winds come in steady from the northeast, sweeping drier air across the islands and pushing toward the southwest.
In early autumn, you might catch a few leftover bursts of moisture from the wet season. But the winds quickly clear the skies and make long, cloudy stretches pretty rare.
By late fall, the winds settle down even more, and rainfall drops off fast. This shift signals the start of the dry season. If you’re planning anything outdoors or hoping to get out on the water, you’ll probably appreciate how much more predictable the weather feels.
The trade winds also keep temperatures in check. Even when the afternoons climb into the upper 70s °F (about 25–27 °C), that steady breeze stops things from feeling too stuffy. Honestly, fall might be one of the most comfortable times to get outside in Praia.
Daylight Hours and Sunshine
Fall in Praia brings pretty steady daylight and lots of sun, with only tiny changes as you move from September into November. You’ll notice gradual shifts in day length, plenty of bright hours, and predictable sunrise and sunset times that help shape your days outdoors.
Day Length Changes in Fall
Day length in Praia shortens little by little as fall goes on. In September, you get around 12.0 to 12.4 hours of daylight. October drops to about 11.6 to 12.0 hours, and by November, you’re looking at 11.3 to 11.6 hours.
The change isn’t dramatic compared to places farther north. You still have plenty of time for beach days, sightseeing, or evening strolls. The daylight shifts so gradually that you probably won’t even notice it day to day.
From the start to the end of fall, you lose about 45 minutes of daylight. November brings the shortest days of the season, but you still get more than 11 hours to enjoy outside.
Average Daily Sunshine
In Praia, sunshine hours depend more on cloud cover and rain than the length of the day. September usually has fewer clear days, thanks to leftover rains, with an average of 9 sunny days in the month.
Things get brighter fast in October and November. Both months average about 20 sunny days, so most days feel bright and dry. Late fall really stands out if you’re after reliable weather for being outside.
Even on cloudier days, you’ll still catch a few hours of sunlight. The mix of long days and frequent clear skies makes fall feel open and inviting.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset times shift a bit as fall rolls in. In September, you’ll usually see the sun come up around 6:20–6:30 a.m. and dip down close to 6:30–6:40 p.m..
By November, sunrise creeps later to about 6:40–6:50 a.m.. Sunset also arrives earlier, landing around 6:00 p.m..
The days get a little shorter, but the changes stay pretty steady and predictable. You don’t get those super early sunsets like you might up north.
You can plan your day knowing you’ll have daylight from early morning to early evening. This kind of reliability makes Praia feel comfortable all year, honestly.