The climate of Ribeira Grande
Ribeira Grande, a town intricately located in
Cape Verde, bears the distinct climatic insignia marked by the Köppen climate classification as BWh, known as subtropical desert. This climate typology mirrors the consistently sunny conditions, with minimal precipitation and elevated heat. Throughout the annual cycle, variations in different weather parameters contribute to the overall weather pattern, from temperature fluctuations to humidity changes and rainfall irregularities.
Over the year, average daytime temperatures fluctuate mildly from a minimum of 20.7°C (69.3°F) in
February up to a maximum of 26.7°C (80.1°F) by
September. Nighttime temperatures also modestly vary between 21.6°C (70.9°F) in
January and 25.7°C (78.3°F) in
August and September. The subtropical richness of the climate continues in its simplicity, as the relative humidity stays between 73% in January, gradually inching upwards to 82% in
July, August, and September, before slowly decreasing again.
Alongside, rainfall patterns illuminate an intriguing seasonal nuance in the otherwise desert climate. Minimal at the start of the year, rainfall witnesses a significant leap in August with 21mm (0.83"), peaking at 31mm (1.22") by September, and then receding to the initial low ranges by
November. Coincidentally, the number of rainfall days follows a similar pattern: from hardly 1 to 2 days at the start of the year, the rainy days increase up to 9.1 in September and then decline. This seasonality puts an intriguing spin of tropical variation on the seemingly monotonous desert climate.
The best time to visit Ribeira Grande
Indeed, the ideal period to visit
Ribeira Grande would be from
November to
April. During these months, temperatures range from a pleasant 21.6°C (70.9°F) to a moderately warm 24.6°C (76.3°F), coupled with relatively low rainfall, between 1mm (0.04") to 4mm (0.16"). In addition, sunshine hours stretch to an average of 9 hours a day, while relative humidity remains comfortable, on the lower end of the annual scale. The sea temperature, an essential factor for beachgoers, stays agreeable within the range of 23.1°C (73.6°F) to 24.3°C (75.7°F).
The worst time to visit Ribeira Grande
On the contrary, the period from
August to
September may pose challenges to tourists. Despite the attractive higher temperatures hovering around 26°C (78.8°F), the heightened rainfall, peaking at 31mm (1.22") in September, along with the highest number of rainy days and elevated relative humidity at 82%, could dampen the vacation mood. Although the sea conditions stay at a welcoming warm range, the unpredictable weather could disrupt beach plans. Consequently, this period may not be the most conducive for tourists, particularly for those who prefer dry and predictable weather.
Spring weather in Ribeira Grande
Spanning
March to
May, spring in
Ribeira Grande presents conducive weather with average temperatures settling between 21.9°C (71.4°F) to 23.2°C (73.8°F). Precipitation maintains a low profile, varying from 1mm (0.04") to 2mm (0.08"), with the number of rainfall days also at a minimum. Daylight lasts about 12 hours, boasting an average of 9.3 hours of sunshine duration, offering ample opportunities to explore the stunning locale.
Summer weather in Ribeira Grande
With the onset of summer in
June, weather patterns flex with average daytime temperatures escalating to 24.6°C (76.3°F) in June and peaking at 26.7°C (80.1°F) by
September. Despite the increase in temperatures, the sea remains relatively warm, ranging from 24.6°C (76.3°F) to 26.6°C (79.9°F), tempting many a beach lover into its comforting embrace. However, the season also sees a surge in rainfall frequency and volume, hitting a maximum of 31mm (1.22") in September and rainy days reaching their zenith at 9.1.
Autumn weather in Ribeira Grande
As autumn descends in
October, temperatures retreat to more comfortable levels averaging between 26.7°C (80.1°F) to 25.2°C (77.4°F) for the daytime and cooling off slightly at night. The noticeable reduction in rainfall and the number of rainy days paired with the sustained favorable sea conditions make this period another agreeable choice for visitors.
Winter weather in Ribeira Grande
Winter months from
December to
February unravel the charm of
Ribeira Grande with moderate temperatures, serene ambiances, and virtually no rainfall. The daytime temperature varies agreeably from 22.7°C (72.9°F) to 21.8°C (71.2°F), while nighttime temperatures rest in the cosy range of 21.6°C (70.9°F) to 20.7°C (69.3°F). Both rainfall volume and the number of rainy days stay at a minimum, inviting visitors to revel in the comfortable winter allure of Ribeira Grande.
Weather in January
The beginning of the year in
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde is a time of transition. Weather conditions are serene with slight fluctuations in the different climatological parameters. Notably,
January sees the lowest wind speed of the year, averaging around 28.1km/h (17.5mph).
Weather in January »Weather in February
February continues the weather trends of
January, signifying a steady atmospheric condition. February in
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde provides stable weather with minimal fluctuations in temperatures, humidity, and rainfall. The wind speed experiences a slight increase from 28.1km/h (17.5mph) in January to 28.6km/h (17.8mph) in February.
Weather in February » Weather in March
Weather in April
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde in
April greets its residents and visitors with a noticeable rise in temperature from
March. Correspondingly, the hours of daylight increase which can be attributed to the onset of summer. The maximum wind conditions record a slight drop to 25.9km/h (16.1mph) making it a comfortable and warmer month compared to March.
Weather in April » Weather in May
As we move further into the year,
May brings about a consistent increase in temperature in
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde. The weather conditions remain predominantly hot and humid. Significantly, the maximum wind gust velocity drops to 35.6km/h (22.1mph) offering a much more serene atmosphere than in
April.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June heralds the peak of the summer season in
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde. June has the longest daylight hours which provide ample time to engage in outdoor activities. On a related note, June experiences a dip in wind speed to 24.6km/h (15.3mph), contributing to calmer weather conditions compared to the previous months.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
The month of
July brings with it a shift in the climatic terms in
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde. July stands out as it welcomes the highest rainfall, experiencing an increase from 2 days in
June to 4.2 days this month. The summer heat coupled with significant rainfall gives July a tropical climate feel.
Weather in July »Weather in August
In
August,
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde is characterized by frequent rain showers. There is a drastic increase in the number of days with rainfall, appreciably higher than in
July, accounting for 6.3 days. August heralds the peak of the rainy season with the heaviest rainfall of the year.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September brings a noticeable change in the temperature trends of
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde. A key fact this month is the high sea temperature, which rises to its yearly peak of 26.6°C (79.9°F). While the overall weather parameters remain quite stable, the elevated sea temperature creates a warmer atmospheric condition.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
Weather in November
As
Ribeira Grande,
Cape Verde moves into
November, a shift towards a cooler climate occurs. Compared to the previous months, November witnesses a marked reduction in temperature and a decrease in daylight hours. In November, the trend of reduced rainfall continues, standing at 4mm (0.16"), significantly lower than the 19mm (0.75") seen in
October.
Weather in November »Weather in December