Thinking about a fall trip to Windhoek? It’s honestly one of the city’s most balanced seasons. You’ll get warm days, cooler nights, and rainfall that drops off as you move from March into May. The city shifts from a wet summer to a dry winter, giving you a comfortable window that blends mild temperatures with clearer skies.
You’ll notice the weather changes fast but not in a jarring way. March still brings some summer rain, but April and May dry out and evenings feel cooler. The climate stays steady enough for outdoor plans, but there’s still enough variety that each month feels a bit different.
If you want to wander Windhoek’s streets, check out the nearby hills, or hit museums, fall makes it easier to plan without stressing over rain. The combo of sunshine, manageable heat, and lighter humidity really makes sightseeing and just daily life more pleasant.
Overview of Fall Weather in Windhoek
Fall in Windhoek means cooler temperatures, clearer skies, and a big drop in rainfall. Days get shorter, the air dries out, and winds pick up a bit as winter creeps closer.
Typical Weather Patterns
Highs in early March sit around 84°F (29°C), but by late May, you’re looking at about 73°F (23°C). Nights cool off even more—dropping from 63°F (17°C) to 49°F (9°C).
Rain basically disappears by the end of fall. You might catch a shower or two in March, but by late May, rain is almost unheard of. Skies clear up too, with cloud cover dropping from nearly 40% to under 10%.
Humidity stays low, so the air feels dry and comfortable. Winds tick up to about 7–9 mph, shifting from the east in early fall to the north later on. It’s great for daytime activities, but you’ll probably want a light jacket for evenings.
Transition From Dry to Wet Season
Fall bridges the gap between Namibia’s summer rains and the dry winter. Early March can still bring some rain—monthly averages hit about 3 inches (75 mm). By May, that drops to less than 0.2 inches (5 mm).
You’ll see greener hills around the city at the start of fall, but by late May, things look much drier. The ground dries out fast as both temperatures and daylight hours dip.
Daylight shrinks from about 12.5 hours in March to just under 11 hours by late May. Sunsets move earlier too, from around 7:20 PM in March to about 6:15 PM by the end of May. These shifts really mark the move into winter.
Comparison With Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall feels cooler and drier. Summer highs can reach 89°F (32°C) with plenty of thunderstorms. In fall, highs rarely go above 84°F (29°C) and rain is scarce.
Winter drops nighttime temps even lower—sometimes near 46°F (8°C)—but stays dry. Spring warms up again, with highs climbing toward summer levels, but it’s still dry until rains return late in the year.
Honestly, fall is one of the best times for outdoor stuff. You get warm days, clear skies, and barely any rain, all without the sticky heat of summer.
Average Fall Temperatures
Fall in Windhoek brings a steady drop in both daytime and nighttime temps. Afternoons stay warm at first, but cool off as May approaches. Evenings get noticeably colder, especially by late May.
Daytime Highs and Lows
Highs start at about 84°F (29°C) in early March and slide down to 73°F (23°C) by the end of May. You’ll rarely see highs above 90°F (32°C) or below 67°F (19°C).
March afternoons feel warm, but by May there’s a mild chill in the air. Outdoor activities feel more comfortable since the summer heat has faded.
Daytime lows shift too. Early in the season, they hover around 63°F (17°C), but by late May, you’ll see more like 49°F (9°C). So, mornings can feel crisp before things warm up.
Monthly Temperature Changes
Each month brings a clear step down. March highs hang in the low 80s°F (27–29°C), and lows are in the low 60s°F (16–17°C). April sees highs in the upper 70s°F (24–26°C), with lows in the mid-50s°F (12–13°C).
By May, highs settle in the low 70s°F (22–23°C), and lows drop to the upper 40s°F (8–9°C). The cooling is gradual, but you’ll feel it.
Fall really is a slow cool-down, with each month feeling different. It’s easy to plan what to wear—light clothes in March, layers by May.
Nighttime Cooling
Nights cool off quickly once the sun goes down. March evenings stay mild, usually in the low 60s°F (16–17°C). By April, nights drop to the 50s°F (10–13°C). In May, you can expect the upper 40s°F (8–9°C)—it’s chilly if you’re not dressed for it.
Clear fall skies let heat escape after sunset, so temperatures drop sharply. This effect is strongest later in the season, and mornings can feel cold compared to the afternoon.
If you’re out at night, you’ll want a jacket by mid-fall and something warmer by late May. The day-and-night contrast is one of the things that stands out about Windhoek’s fall climate.
Rainfall and Humidity During Fall
Rainfall in Windhoek tapers off during fall, and humidity drops too. From March to May, you’ll notice the city shifting into its long dry season.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rain isn’t spread evenly through the fall. March still gets a fair bit of rain—about 54 mm (2.1 in) on average. April drops sharply to around 19 mm (0.7 in), and by May, it’s just 2 mm (0.08 in).
Rain usually comes as short, scattered showers. By May, rain is rare, and sometimes you’ll go weeks without any.
If you’re planning a trip, March is the only fall month when you might need to prep for wet weather. April and May are mostly dry, so rain won’t mess up your plans.
Onset of Rainy Season
Fall doesn’t start the rainy season—it ends it. The main rains hit from November through February, peaking in February. By March, things start drying out and cloud cover thins.
You might still see green hills in March, thanks to leftover moisture. But by April, the landscape starts to fade as rain disappears.
If you’re visiting in May, count on dry skies almost every day. That’s a sure sign that winter’s on the way.
Humidity Levels
Humidity drops along with the rain. In March, relative humidity averages around 48–50%, so afternoons can still feel a little muggy. By April, it drops closer to 40%, and in May, it’s down near 30%.
Lower humidity feels way more comfortable, especially for outdoor stuff. You’ll notice evenings get cooler and the air drier, especially by late April.
May’s low humidity means clearer skies and better visibility. For travelers, fall is a solid time for sightseeing, photography, and just exploring Windhoek without sticky heat.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
In fall, Windhoek gets long stretches of sunshine and steadily increasing daylight as summer approaches again. Cloud cover stays low, so skies are clear most of the time.
Average Daily Sunshine
You’ll get a ton of sunny days during fall. September brings about 28 sunny days, October has 26, and November gets around 25.
That’s sunshine nearly every day, with only a few short rain showers late in the season. The sunniest months—October through December—average close to 12 hours of sunshine per day.
It’s great for outdoor plans. Hiking, wildlife viewing, city walks—there’s rarely a need to change plans because of clouds.
Length of Daylight
Daylight increases as fall moves on. September days last about 11.7 to 12.3 hours. October stretches to 12.3–12.9 hours, and by November, you get 12.9–13.4 hours.
You’ll have more time for morning and afternoon activities as the days get longer. For instance:
- September: ~12 hours
- October: ~12.6 hours
- November: ~13.2 hours
These longer days pair well with the warming weather, so you won’t feel rushed to fit everything in.
Cloud Cover Trends
Fall in Windhoek usually means clear skies. September is almost cloudless, with 0 rainy days on average. October brings in about 1 rainy day, and November sees around 2 rainy days as the rainy season starts to hint at its return.
Clouds don’t stick around long, even when they show up. The sun almost always breaks through.
So, you get lots of brightness all season. Clear skies also make evenings nice for eating outside or sightseeing before the rains arrive in December.
Wind and Air Quality in Autumn
Autumn in Windhoek brings stronger winds than earlier in the year, and you’ll notice a shift in wind direction. The dry climate and low humidity keep air quality high, with little risk of haze or pollution.
Prevailing Winds
Early autumn winds blow mostly from the east, but by mid to late season, they shift more to the north. Regional pressure systems guide the airflow across central Namibia.
You’ll find wind direction stays pretty consistent, which is handy for planning outdoor things. Travelers actually appreciate this—it means fewer surprise weather changes.
Windhoek’s hills funnel the wind, making it feel stronger in some neighborhoods. If you’re near open spaces or up on higher ground, you’ll notice it more.
Wind Speeds
Average wind speeds rise as autumn goes on. Early in the season, they’re about 7 mph, but by the end, they hit closer to 9 mph. It’s not wild, but you’ll definitely feel a steady breeze most afternoons.
The calmest days show up in early March, while late May is breezier. If you’re planning outdoor events or hikes, keep that in mind.
Wind gusts stay moderate and rarely cause any trouble. But with dry air and stronger breezes, you might get some dust in open, unpaved spots. Sunglasses or a light scarf can help if you’re walking through exposed areas.
Air Quality Conditions
In autumn, Windhoek’s air quality usually feels very good. The dry season brings less pollen, mold, and moisture, so you won’t find many pollutants hanging around. Most days, the sky stays clear, and haze rarely shows up.
After March, rainfall drops off fast. Dust sometimes kicks up, especially near busy roads or construction sites. Still, dust doesn’t last long and rarely causes trouble for most visitors.
Windhoek doesn’t deal with heavy industrial smog like some cities do. Low humidity, wide-open spaces, and steady winds clear out pollutants quickly, so the air stays fresh.
What to Expect: Outdoor Activities and Travel Tips
In fall, Windhoek offers warm days, cooler nights, and barely any rain. The dry air and steady sunshine make sightseeing, hiking, and cultural outings pretty easy.
Best Times for Outdoor Activities
Fall runs from March through May. Daytime highs hit around 23°C to 29°C (73°F to 84°F), while nights drop to 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F). After March, rain almost disappears, and the sky stays mostly clear.
These weather patterns make outdoor plans more reliable. Trails in the Khomas Highlands feel perfect in April and May, since the heat isn’t too harsh and paths are dry. City walking tours get a lot more comfortable without the summer sun beating down.
In March, you’ll get about 12 hours of daylight, and by May, it’s closer to 11 hours. That’s enough for day trips to places like Daan Viljoen Game Park. Wildlife viewing gets better as plants thin out and animals gather at waterholes.
Clothing Recommendations
Pack for warm afternoons but don’t forget about cool evenings. Light, breathable clothes help during the day, while a light jacket or sweater comes in handy at night. Sometimes it drops to 10°C (50°F), so layering really pays off.
Bring a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, since sunshine averages 9–10 hours per day. Even when it feels cooler, the UV index stays high. If you’re planning to wander trails or city streets, comfortable walking shoes are a must.
You probably won’t need heavy rain gear after April. Still, if you’re coming in March, a small travel umbrella or a light rain jacket might be useful, just in case a shower sneaks in.
Travel Considerations
Fall marks the start of Windhoek’s dry season. The roads usually hold up pretty well, but dust kicks up a lot on gravel routes outside the city.
If you’re planning to explore rural areas, you’ll want to rent a vehicle with good clearance. It just makes things easier.
Tourist numbers stay moderate during fall. You probably won’t deal with big crowds, but if you’ve got your heart set on a particular lodge or guesthouse, book early.
Wildlife viewing in nearby reserves gets better as water becomes more available. Still, bring your own drinking water.
The dry air can sneak up on you and cause dehydration faster than you’d think. Keep some water handy, and maybe toss in some lip balm or moisturizer to stay comfortable.