Spring in Yaoundé feels warm and humid, and you’ll notice rainfall picking up as the weeks go by. Daytime temperatures usually hang out in the low to mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 28–30°C), while nights stay in the upper 60s to low 70s.
Clouds hang around a lot, and by late spring, heavy rain showers show up pretty often.
You’ll notice a shift from drier days in early March to wetter, stickier weather by May. Sunshine is limited, with skies mostly overcast, but the days stay about the same length, so you still get steady daylight for whatever you want to do outside.
The air feels muggy most of the time. Breezes are light, which makes the atmosphere feel still.
Spring Climate Overview in Yaoundé
Spring brings steady warmth, high humidity, and a clear move toward wetter weather. You’ll see lots of cloud cover, moderate temperatures, and rainfall ramps up quickly as the season moves along.
Geographical Location and Climate Type
Yaoundé sits in central Cameroon, about 750 meters (roughly 2,400 feet) above sea level. Its spot on the southern plateau gives it a tropical wet and dry climate—people call it a savanna climate.
This elevation keeps temperatures from getting too extreme, especially compared to the lowlands. Being close to the equator means daylight hours don’t change much, and there aren’t big temperature swings between seasons.
According to the Köppen climate classification, Yaoundé falls under Aw—tropical savanna with a clear wet season. Rainfall patterns, more than temperature, set the tone for the seasons here.
Key Spring Weather Characteristics
During spring, daily highs usually sit between 82°F and 86°F (28°C to 30°C). Nights stay mild, averaging about 69°F (20°C).
These numbers barely budge, so what stands out is the humidity and rain, not big temperature changes.
Rainfall jumps up fast from early March through May. At first, you might get about 1.5 inches (40 mm) in a month, but by late May, it’s often over 4 inches (100 mm).
Wet days get more common, with rain showing up on about a quarter of March days and over half by May.
Cloud cover sticks around, averaging above 80% of the time. Sunshine is limited, and muggy conditions are the norm.
Winds stay light, generally below 3 mph (5 km/h), usually drifting in from the west.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring feels more humid and unsettled than the dry season from December to February. Earlier months bring clearer skies and fewer rainy days, but spring signals the start of the long rainy season.
Compared to summer and autumn, spring has slightly cooler highs and less intense rainfall, though storms pop up more often as May gets closer.
By October, daily rain chances can shoot up above 80%, way higher than in spring.
If you’re after moderate rain and humidity that’s not overwhelming, spring strikes a balance between the dry early year and the heavy rains later on.
Temperature Patterns During Spring
Spring in Yaoundé keeps things warm and steady, with only small changes in daily highs and lows. It stays humid and overcast, but temperatures feel comfortable for most outdoor stuff, especially in the mornings and evenings.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
During spring, daily highs range from about 86°F (30°C) in early March down to around 82°F (28°C) by late May. Highs rarely dip below 78°F (26°C) or go above 91°F (33°C).
The daily lows stay steady, averaging about 69°F (21°C). Nights are warm but not stifling, with lows almost never dropping below 66°F (19°C) or rising above 72°F (22°C).
With such a narrow range, you won’t run into big swings from day to night. The climate feels stable, with warm afternoons and mild evenings.
Light clothes work fine, though the humidity can make it feel warmer than the numbers suggest.
Monthly Temperature Variations
From March to May, afternoons cool off just a bit. March is a tad warmer, with highs near 87°F (31°C). By May, average highs fall to about 82°F (28°C).
Lows barely change, sticking close to 69°F (21°C). This makes spring one of the more predictable times to visit or plan your days outside.
Here’s a quick look at the monthly averages:
| Month | Avg High °F (°C) | Avg Low °F (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 87 (31) | 69 (21) |
| April | 84 (29) | 69 (21) |
| May | 82 (28) | 69 (21) |
So even though rain and humidity shoot up in spring, the temperature in Yaoundé stays steady and rarely gets uncomfortable.
Historical Temperature Trends
Long-term records show that spring temperatures in Yaoundé don’t really budge much. Highs usually land between 82°F and 87°F (28–31°C), and lows hover close to 66–72°F (19–22°C).
Yaoundé’s spot near the equator keeps things steady all year. The small cooling from March into May shows up in the data year after year.
For reference, the hottest stretch usually comes in late February, with highs reaching 87°F (31°C). The coolest period is early January, with highs around 84°F (29°C).
This stability lets you plan trips without stressing about sudden temperature swings. In spring, it’s the rain and clouds that change most, not the thermometer.
Rainfall and Precipitation in Spring
Spring in Yaoundé brings a clear rise in rainfall as the city leaves the dry season behind. You’ll see more rain, more often, and it starts to shape daily routines as the wet season settles in.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rain in Yaoundé during spring climbs quickly from low levels in March to much heavier amounts by May.
Early March might only bring 40–60 mm of rain over a handful of days. By April, totals often jump above 120 mm, and rain shows up more often.
May really kicks off the wet season. Rainfall can top 180 mm in the month, and showers become nearly a daily event.
While totals shift a bit year to year, the trend holds: spring is when precipitation ramps up fast.
For context, Yaoundé’s annual precipitation averages around 1,600–1,700 mm, so spring delivers a decent chunk of the yearly total.
Transition From Dry to Wet Season
Spring acts as the bridge between Yaoundé’s short dry season and its longer wet stretch. In March, you still get some of the dry season’s sunshine and not many rainy days. By April, though, the air feels heavier and the skies look grayer.
This shift doesn’t happen overnight. Rain builds up gradually, so you get a mix of sunny mornings and rainy afternoons.
Rain becomes more frequent, but it doesn’t hit the wild intensity of the October peak, which is the wettest month all year.
The change shows up in daily life too. Outdoor plans work in March, but by May, you’ll probably need to dodge frequent showers.
Impact of Precipitation on Daily Life
The rise in rain during spring changes how you get around. Roads can get muddy, and traffic slows down when the heavy showers hit.
If you walk a lot, you’ll probably end up carrying an umbrella everywhere.
Local markets shift their routines, with vendors often opening early before storms roll in.
Travel outside the city gets trickier, as rural roads soften up and sometimes flood in lower spots.
The seasonal rains also help out agriculture. Farmers count on the spring rain to get fields ready and start planting, since the soil finally gets a good soak after the dry months.
So, spring rain matters for daily life and for the region’s food supply.
Humidity, Sunshine, and Cloud Cover
Spring in Yaoundé means high humidity, plenty of clouds, and not a ton of sunshine. These conditions shape how the season feels and definitely affect your comfort and plans for being outside.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity in Yaoundé stays high during spring, usually between 91% and 99% most days. The air feels thick and damp, which makes even moderate warmth feel a bit hotter.
Muggy weather dominates, especially in April and May. On a lot of days, you won’t get much relief, day or night, since the dew point stays high.
Sweat doesn’t evaporate easily, so the air feels sticky.
If humidity gets to you, try to plan things for early morning or late evening when it’s a little cooler. Drinking water and wearing light clothes help too.
Typical Cloud Cover
Spring skies in Yaoundé are mostly overcast. About 80% or more of the season brings cloudy or mostly cloudy weather.
Late April is usually the cloudiest, with the chance of overcast skies hitting around 86%.
Clear skies are rare, but you might catch a break in early March, when about 25% of days have at least some sun.
All these clouds help keep temperatures steady. Days stay warm but not scorching, and nights are mild.
If you’re visiting, you’ll probably see more gray than blue, but at least the temperatures won’t jump around much.
Sunshine Hours in Spring
Sunshine is limited, with fewer bright hours than at other times of year. In March, you might get 3–4 hours of sun per day. By May, that can climb to about 5–6 hours.
Daylight itself increases a bit, from just over 12 hours in early March to about 12 hours and 20 minutes by late May. But with all those clouds, actual bright hours stay pretty low.
If you’re planning to be outside, aim for midday—there’s a better shot at some sun then. Even so, expect filtered light more often than direct sunshine.
Wind, Pressure, and Other Weather Factors
In spring, you’ll notice gentle air movement and moderate pressure patterns that shape how comfortable things feel. These factors play a role in humidity, rainfall, and how easy it is to plan stuff outdoors.
Prevailing Winds and Speed
Spring winds in Yaoundé usually stay light to moderate. Average speeds fall between 5 to 10 km/h, so you rarely get strong gusts.
Instead, the air moves gently, and you’ll feel cooler breezes in the evening.
The city sits about 707 meters (2,320 feet) up, which keeps wind speeds lower than what you’d get near the coast. This elevation brings more stable conditions, so you don’t have to deal with sudden changes in wind direction.
Most spring winds blow from the south and southwest. That brings in moist air from the Atlantic, which supports the increase in rain this season.
The winds feel steady, not forceful, so they don’t mess with daily life much.
If you’re heading outside, expect calm weather with only the occasional breeze. The winds refresh the air just enough without making things difficult.
Atmospheric Pressure Trends
Atmospheric pressure in Yaoundé during spring usually stays pretty steady. Most days, you’ll see readings between 1012 and 1016 hPa, which fits the typical tropical highland climate here.
You won’t notice sharp drops or sudden spikes that might signal big storms. The steady pressure brings a predictable mix of warm air and moisture.
That’s why rainfall picks up in spring, but you don’t get the wild swings you’d find in more unstable regions. Humidity climbs as the pressure holds, and honestly, the air starts to feel heavier.
You’ll probably notice this most in the afternoons, when temperatures hit their peak. Since pressure changes move slowly, people can plan their days without much worry.
Light showers pop up often, but the weather rarely turns extreme or catches you off guard during this season.
How Spring Weather Affects Yaoundé’s Lifestyle and Environment
Spring in Yaoundé means steady warmth, rising humidity, and a noticeable jump in rainfall. These shifts shape farming schedules and daily routines, and they even affect how you get around the city or the countryside.
Influence on Agriculture and Economy
Rainfall increases fast in spring, starting at about 1.6 inches in early March and climbing to over 4 inches by late May. This steady rise in precipitation gives crops like maize, cassava, and plantains the moisture they need.
Farmers usually take advantage of this time to plant or care for crops that rely on regular rain. Softer soil makes land prep a bit easier, though too much rain can turn low fields soggy and cause drainage headaches.
Agriculture drives the local economy, so the timing of the rains really matters for market supply. When rainfall stays steady, city markets fill up with fresh produce.
If heavy downpours flood the fields, though, yields can drop and food prices might spike. Livestock farming feels these changes too.
Grass grows fast, which helps grazing, but wet weather brings more risk of livestock diseases. For many rural families, balancing these pros and cons is just part of spring.
Outdoor Activities and Travel Tips
Humidity usually sits above 90%, so the air feels pretty muggy most days. Frequent rain showers pop up and can cut your outdoor plans short. If you’re heading out, toss light rain gear in your bag. Sudden downpours happen all the time.
Driving gets tricky, especially when you leave the city. Muddy rural roads and slow traffic can really test your patience. If you’re thinking about visiting farms or small towns, just keep that in mind.
Even with all the rain, you still get about 12 hours of daylight. That’s enough time to squeeze in a few things between showers. Mornings usually look clearer, so you might want to get your sightseeing or errands done early.
If you care about comfort, pick a place to stay with good drainage and covered spots outside. Waterproof shoes and quick-dry clothes will make your life a lot easier during this season.