The climate of Cantagalo
Situated in
São Tomé and Príncipe,
Cantagalo experiences a Köppen climate classification labelled as As. This classification represents a tropical wet and dry climate which also signifies the occurrence of a 'summer' dry season. This climatological pattern influences the town's weather conditions, dictating the range and intensity of each parameter throughout the year.
Notably, high temperatures in Cantagalo prevail throughout the calendar, with a shot of providing a consistently warm climate. The thermometer peak fluctuates marginally; from a high of 28.8°C (83.8°F) in the month of
March, to a slightly cooler mean peak of 24.5°C (76.1°F) in
July. This regular warmth is complemented by similarly stable low temperatures - the coldest on record being 23°C (73.4°F) in the month of July, and an all-year high of 27.5°C (81.5°F) experienced in the month of March.
Befitting its tropical classification, rainfall is a common feature of the Cantagalo climate. Predominantly, precipitation spikes around
October and
November, with recorded averages of 220mm (8.66") and 224mm (8.82") respectively. On the contrary, the driest periods transpire between
June and
August where rainfall figures take a steep decline down to, for instance, a meagre 9mm (0.35") in July.
Despite a consistent 12.1 hours of daylight across all months, sunshine hours do not reflect a similar pattern. The sunny spell ranges from a scarce 5 hours in
September, up to a sizable 8.6 hours in
February. Concurrently, cloud cover sees a significant increase during the months of August and September, precipitating a subsequent decrease in visibility in October and November, down to just 9km (5.6mi).
The breeze is a constant companion in Cantagalo, with wind speeds pivoting from as high as 17.7km/h (11mph) in July, reducing slightly to a lower limit of 10.8km/h (6.7mph) by
December. Pressure levels follow a less dramatic curve, with between 1009.8mb and 1014.3mb recorded throughout the period.
The best time to visit Cantagalo
Considering the data provided and the relatively stable tropical climate, the ideal time to visit
Cantagalo would be from
February to
April. During this period, the highest temperatures hover between 28°C (82.4°F) and 28.8°C (83.8°F) making it particularly suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The quantity of rainfall is also moderately low ranging between 100mm (3.94") and 119mm (4.69"), and with an average of above 8 hours of sunshine per day, conditions are optimal for enjoying the scenic views and local attractions.
The worst time to visit Cantagalo
Contrarily, the period between
October and
November might not be the best for tourism. During these two months,
Cantagalo receives the highest amount of rainfall, between 220mm (8.66") and 224mm (8.82"), which can potentially disrupt outdoor plans. Despite maintaining a high temperature ranging from 26.4°C (79.5°F), the increased cloudiness and decrease in visibility to 9km (5.6mi) in these months can hamper the travel experience.
Spring weather in Cantagalo
Unlike traditional seasonal changes,
Cantagalo sees a gradual rise in temperatures during the spring months - from 28°C (82.4°F) in
March to 28.8°C (83.8°F) in
May. This season also experiences a noticeable increase in average rainfall figures, ranging from 119mm (4.69") in March to 122mm (4.8") in May.
Summer weather in Cantagalo
Heading into summer,
Cantagalo witnesses a slight dip in the mercury, with temperature averages falling from 27.8°C (82°F) in
June to 24.5°C (76.1°F) in
July. This is also when the region experiences its lowest rainfall with an average of 9mm (0.35") being recorded in July.
Autumn weather in Cantagalo
Autumn greets
Cantagalo with a gradual increase in temperatures and precipitation. Temperatures rise from 24.8°C (76.6°F) in
September to 26.4°C (79.5°F) in
November, while the average rainfall notably increases from 35mm (1.38") in September to a soaring 224mm (8.82") by November.
Winter weather in Cantagalo
Winter in
Cantagalo brings a slight cooling effect to the temperature scale, with averages declining from 27.1°C (80.8°F) in
December, towards 25.6°C (78.1°F) by
February. Meanwhile, the area continues to receive heavy rainfall with averages of 159mm (6.26") and 130mm (5.12") in December and February respectively.
Weather in January
The year opens in
Cantagalo with weather featuring high temperatures and relatively high humidity. Notably, the average rainfall for
January stands at an impressive 130mm (5.12"), setting a wet tone for the coming months. The fluctuation in temperatures remains minimal, leading to a predictability that both locals and tourists can appreciate.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Continuing the trend set in
January, the weather in
Cantagalo shows consistency with subtle aspects of change. A slight increase in average high temperatures is noted while a minute decrease in rainfall occurs. The relative humidity remains at 77%, virtually the same as the previous month.
Weather in February »Weather in March
Setting the tone for the upcoming spring season,
March observes a steady increase in many climatological parameters in
Cantagalo. The average high temperature and rainfall peak at 28.8°C (83.8°F) and 119mm (4.69") respectively, indicating a shift in the weather pattern.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April showers its typical
Cantagalo charm on both residents and visitors in
São Tomé and Príncipe. A slight decrease in temperatures from the elevated levels observed in
March brings an element of relief to the equation. Simultaneously, average rainfall increases from 119mm (4.69") to 126mm (4.96"), contributing to the lush greenery that is characteristic of this period.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May brings about subtle changes in the weather of
Cantagalo, as evident in the slight dip in temperature and a marginal increase in rainfall. Wind speeds increase to 13km/h (8.1mph), resulting in a more aerated atmosphere, particularly in open spaces.
Weather in May » Weather in June
Cantagalo ushers in the halfway point of the year with a distinct shift in weather patterns. A significant reduction in rainfall is observed in comparison to the previous months, going down to just 22mm (0.87"). Changing wind patterns influence the weather significantly, with average wind speed climbing up to 17.6km/h (10.9mph).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July introduces
Cantagalo to the heart of the dry season with a marked decrease in rainfall to just 9mm (0.35"). The city experiences the lowest average temperature, 24.5°C (76.1°F), of the year during this month. Wind speeds too experience a slight increase, intensifying the dry atmospheric conditions.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August maintains the dry spell seen in
July with only a slight increase in rainfall from 9mm (0.35") to 21mm (0.83"). Although the city experiences higher relative humidity levels of 83%, the temperatures remain almost stable around the 24.8°C (76.6°F) mark.
Weather in August » Weather in September
Cantagalo welcomes the beginning of the second wet season with a steady increase in temperature and rainfall in
September. Wind conditions mellow out from 17.1km/h (10.6mph) to 16.8km/h (10.4mph) on average, reflecting the calming atmosphere that accompanies the onset of rains.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
Stepping into
October, drastic changes overcome the weather in
Cantagalo. A sudden large increase in rainfall marks a definitive entrance into the rainy season, with 220mm (8.66") registered this month. Temperatures remain relatively stable with a mild uptick, reflecting a balanced climate condition amidst the increased rainfall.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November maintains the momentum of the rainy season in
Cantagalo with soaring rainfall levels peaking at 224mm (8.82") in the dataset. The temperatures remain fairly even spanning a narrow range, presenting a consistently warm and humid climate.
Weather in November » Weather in December
With the arrival of
December,
Cantagalo experiences a subtle transition in its overall weather pattern. The month sees a decrease in rainfall levels to 159mm (6.26") and a slight uptick in average temperatures. Simultaneously, wind activity reduces, resulting in calmer atmospheric conditions.
Weather in December »