When you picture winter in Douala, toss out any ideas of cold winds or frosty mornings. This coastal city in Cameroon stays warm and humid, with temperatures rarely dropping below the mid-70s °F (about 24°C).
You’ll find steady warmth, high humidity, and just brief pauses from the heavy rains that soak the city much of the year.
Winter brings a real change compared to the wetter months. Rainfall drops to some of its lowest points, skies clear up a bit, and outdoor plans suddenly feel more doable.
The air still feels heavy and muggy, but with less rain and consistent warmth, this season stands out.
If you’re wondering what to pack, how much sunshine you’ll get, or if you need to dodge rain showers, Douala’s winter climate details will help you plan. Knowing the patterns of temperature, humidity, and rainfall lets you make the most of your time in this tropical city.
Overview of Winter Weather in Douala
Winter in Douala doesn’t bring cold air or snow. Instead, you get steady warmth, high humidity, and frequent rainfall that shape daily life.
Douala’s climate stays tropical, with only minor temperature changes throughout the season.
Typical Winter Temperatures
Daytime highs in Douala during winter usually hit around 88°F (31°C), while nights cool down to about 82°F (28°C).
That’s not much of a drop. The weather stays hot and humid, even in “winter” months.
You won’t need layers here. Lightweight, breathable fabrics work best.
The weather barely shifts, with the lowest winter averages hovering near 81°F (27°C). Douala has one of the warmest “winter” climates you’ll find anywhere.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Winter in Douala lands in the wettest part of the year. July, August, and September see the heaviest downpours.
Rain falls on most days, and showers can last for hours. Humidity levels stay high, often above 80%, making the heat feel even stronger.
Winds stay light, around 2–7 mph, so don’t expect much relief from the muggy air.
Despite the rain, daylight hours are steady, with about 12 hours of light each day. Sunshine is limited, and cloud cover dominates the season, which can mess with outdoor plans.
Comparison to Other Seasons
If you compare winter to other times of year in Douala, rainfall stands out as the big difference. Winter is the peak rainy season, while December to February brings much drier, sunnier days.
Temperatures barely budge year-round, usually between 74°F (23°C) and 91°F (33°C). The seasons here are really about how much it rains.
Visit during the dry months and you’ll get clearer skies and more sunshine. In winter, you’ll deal with frequent showers and heavy humidity, which isn’t ideal for beach days or outdoor adventures.
Temperature Trends and Variability
Douala stays hot and humid in winter, with only slight changes between day and night.
Temperatures hold steady across the season, but you’ll notice small monthly shifts typical of a tropical monsoon climate.
Average Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime highs in winter range from 88°F to 91°F (31°C to 33°C). Nights cool off just a bit, with lows around 74°F to 77°F (23°C to 25°C).
There’s not much difference between day and night. Humidity stays high, so even evenings feel warm and heavy.
Because the weather doesn’t swing much, light clothing works day and night. Humidity can make evenings feel warmer than you’d expect.
Monthly Temperature Fluctuations
During winter, average highs and lows only shift by a couple degrees. January averages about 90°F (32°C) high and 76°F (24°C) low.
February is a bit hotter at 91°F (33°C) high and 77°F (25°C) low. December sits closer to 89°F (32°C) high and 76°F (24°C) low.
These tiny changes reflect Douala’s spot near the equator. Instead of sharp seasonal swings, weather patterns move gradually.
February is usually the warmest part of winter, while December feels just a little cooler. The difference is minor, but if you’re sensitive to heat and humidity, you might notice it.
Record Highs and Lows
While averages barely move, records show the extremes. Highs rarely go past 94°F (34°C), even in the hottest months.
In winter, record maximums stick close to that number, showing how stable the climate is.
Lows almost never drop below 72°F (22°C). Even in August, the coolest month, temperatures stay well above what most people would call cold.
You won’t get extreme heat spikes or sudden cold snaps in Douala. The record values just reinforce the city’s consistently warm, humid vibe.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
In Douala, winter months bring unrelenting humidity. The air feels heavy, and the mix of moisture and heat shapes how comfortable your days and nights will be.
Average Winter Humidity
During winter, relative humidity usually sits between 82% and 88%. The air stays damp, even when daily temps dip just a little.
Unlike places with big seasonal changes, Douala’s tropical climate keeps humidity high all year. February is the “driest,” with average humidity around 79%. July and August hit the peak at about 88%.
You won’t get much relief from the moisture. Even in the evenings, when temps drop to 23–24°C, the humidity sticks around.
| Month | Avg. Humidity (%) | Temp Range (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 83 | 23–30 |
| January | 82 | 23–31 |
| February | 79 | 24–32 |
This constant mix of warmth and moisture defines Douala’s winter more than temperature alone.
Impact on Daily Life
High humidity really affects how you feel. Sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly, so the air can seem even warmer than the numbers say.
Outdoor work or travel gets tiring, especially in the afternoon when it’s near 30–32°C. Light clothes, lots of water, and shade breaks help.
Indoors, humidity can be a hassle. Fabrics dry slowly, and wood furniture may swell a little. Most homes use ceiling fans or just open windows, since moisture is the main issue—not extreme heat.
If you’re visiting, the damp air might take some getting used to. Lighter schedules during peak heat can make things more comfortable.
Dew Point and Air Quality
Douala’s dew point in winter usually stays above 22°C, so the air always feels humid. A dew point that high means your sweat won’t dry quickly, making it tougher for your body to cool down.
Air quality stays pretty stable. The coastal breezes help clear out pollutants, but the high moisture can make the air feel heavier, especially indoors.
You might see condensation on surfaces, especially in the mornings. That’s just the warm, moist air meeting cooler surfaces overnight.
People with respiratory issues might feel more discomfort because of the high dew point and humidity. Taking breaks in well-ventilated spaces really helps.
Precipitation Patterns During Winter
In Douala’s winter, rainfall drops to its lowest levels of the year. You’ll get fewer rainy days, lighter showers, and more clear skies than in the long wet season, but humidity still hangs around as a reminder of the city’s tropical climate.
Rainfall Amounts and Frequency
From December through February, Douala hits its driest stretch. Rainfall drops to about 23–30 mm per month, which is a big change from the downpours that come midyear.
You’ll mostly see quick, passing showers instead of long storms. Average daily highs stay warm, so less rain doesn’t mean cooler weather.
There’s more sunshine between showers, making it easier to plan outdoor activities.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 23 mm | 14 days |
| January | 25 mm | 15 days |
| February | 30 mm | 17 days |
You can see precipitation really drops off during this time.
Wet and Dry Days
Even in the dry season, you won’t get totally rain-free weeks. Showers still happen, but they’re lighter and less of a hassle.
About half the days each month have some rain, but the totals are tiny compared to the wet season.
You might wake up to clear skies, get a quick shower in the afternoon, and then see everything dry up by evening. These showers usually pass fast, so they don’t mess with most plans.
Winter is the easiest time for outdoor events, walking around, or hitting the coast.
Seasonal Changes in Precipitation
As winter arrives, rainfall steadily drops from the heavy wet season. By December, rain hits its lowest mark. January keeps that trend, and February creeps up a bit as the next rainy cycle starts to build.
Humidity drops a little too, down to around 72–78%, which feels a bit more comfortable than peak rainy months. Clouds thin out, and you get longer sunshine hours.
Winter stands out as Douala’s driest, sunniest stretch, giving everyone a break from the city’s usual humid, wet weather.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
In Douala’s winter, skies flip between thick cloud cover and short clear spells. Sunshine hours are limited, and the mix of cloudy and clear days shapes how much daylight you’ll actually get outside.
Average Cloud Cover
Cloud cover stays high during Douala’s winter. The city’s tropical coastal location means the air is packed with moisture.
Most days, you’ll see a solid layer of cloud overhead. Even without rain, the sky often looks gray or hazy.
This is most intense in July and August, but December and January don’t offer much improvement.
Cloud cover percentages usually sit above 70–80% in mid-winter. While that cuts down on direct sun, it also keeps nights warmer and days less harsh than drier inland spots.
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine is limited in winter because of all those clouds. In January, you get about 6 to 6.5 hours of sunshine per day—that’s actually one of the brighter times of the season.
August, though, only averages 1.8 hours a day, which is the lowest point all year.
The big difference between months shows how the wet season really blocks out sunlight. With fewer sunshine hours, it’s smart to plan outdoor stuff earlier in the day.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Month | Average Hours of Sunshine |
|---|---|
| January | 6–6.5 hours |
| February | 5–6 hours |
| August | 1.8 hours |
Even in winter, sunshine can swing a lot depending on the rain and clouds.
Clear vs Cloudy Days
Clear days hardly ever show up in Douala’s winter. Most of the time, the sky looks mostly cloudy or just completely overcast.
During the wetter months, you might go for weeks without seeing a truly clear sky.
January and February offer your best shot at clearer weather, but honestly, bright blue skies are still pretty rare.
Usually, you’ll catch a bit of clearing in the morning, and then the clouds roll back in by afternoon.
Cloudy days really take over the season, but that’s not all bad—they bring a softer, diffused light.
This softer light makes the city feel less harsh than places where the sun is always blasting down.
If you’re planning a visit, expect more gray skies than sunshine, especially from June through September.
Wind Conditions in Winter
In Douala’s winter, the wind stays gentle and steady. The city’s coastal spot and tropical climate keep breezes moderate, with the Atlantic Ocean and local geography shaping how they move.
Typical Wind Speeds
You’ll usually feel wind speeds between 7 to 12 km/h (4 to 7 mph) during winter.
These breezes won’t mess up your plans, but you’ll definitely notice them outside.
The air feels pretty humid and heavy, so even a light breeze is a relief.
Douala doesn’t get those wild seasonal gusts—winds just stay pretty steady, with only small changes week to week.
At Douala International Airport, long-term records show wind speeds almost never go over 15 km/h (9 mph) in winter.
Strong winds just don’t happen much, so the season feels stable for travel and being outdoors.
Visitors can count on calm conditions, whether they’re in the city or hanging out by the coast.
The steady, light breeze helps break up the humidity a bit, though the air still feels warm and sticky most of the time.
Prevailing Wind Directions
In winter, winds in Douala usually blow from the southwest to west, carrying in moist air from the Atlantic.
That’s pretty standard for coastal Cameroon, and the pattern doesn’t really change much through the season.
Because of this, the winds keep bringing in damp air from the ocean.
Even though winter sees less rain than the wet season, the air still feels pretty damp.
Local weather stations, especially at the airport, keep recording a dominant southwest flow.
If you’re into sailing or fishing, that’s worth knowing—it affects sea conditions near the coast.
Breezes tend to pick up in the afternoon and slow down at night.
This daily rhythm comes from the temperature difference between land and sea, shifting as the sun rises and sets.
Travel Tips and Seasonal Recommendations
Winter in Douala feels hot and humid. Daytime highs hover around 32 °C, and rainfall stays pretty light compared to the long wet season.
You can enjoy outdoor activities, but you’ll want to plan for the heat and all that humidity.
Best Activities for Winter Weather
In December, January, and February, rain is lower, so it’s easier to get out and explore the city or the coast.
You can stroll through Douala’s markets, visit cultural spots, or take quick day trips without worrying about heavy downpours.
The coast close to Douala has warm sea temperatures around 28 °C, which feels perfect for swimming.
Beaches aren’t as muddy as they get in the rainy season, so water activities are more enjoyable.
If you like things a bit slower, hang out in shaded outdoor cafés or wander through the botanical gardens.
With less rain, road travel gets safer, which is great if you’re thinking about visiting nearby towns.
Evenings stay warm and sticky, but that means outdoor dining is still comfortable.
Street food vendors and open-air restaurants keep busy, so you can try local dishes without stressing about storms.
Packing and Preparation Advice
Pack lightweight, breathable clothes. Temperatures don’t really dip below 24°C, not even at night. Cotton shirts, shorts, and light dresses honestly make it so much easier to deal with all that humidity.
Toss in a small umbrella or a light rain jacket. Yeah, heavy rains mostly hit mid-year, but those quick showers still pop up and can catch you off guard if you’re out walking.
Don’t forget strong sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The sun feels stronger in winter, weirdly enough, and you’ll probably want to be outside more.
Grab comfortable sandals or some breathable walking shoes. Markets and coastal spots can be a lot of ground to cover. If swimming’s on your list, throw in swimwear and a quick-drying towel—the sea’s actually warm and really tempting.
Definitely bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes still hang around, even in the drier months, thanks to all the humidity and random pools of standing water in the city.