The climate of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, located in
São Tomé and Príncipe, experiences a dominant As Köppen climate classification, officially recognized as a Tropical wet and dry or savanna with a 'summer' dry season. The town's equatorial position combined with this classification leads to predictable weather patterns throughout the year. There is not much variation in temperature, with highs averaging from 24.5°C (76.1°F) to 28.8°C (83.8°F) and lows staying between 23°C (73.4°F) to 27.5°C (81.5°F).
The region's relative humidity oscillates between 76% to 83% throughout the year, reflecting the constant warm temperatures and high moisture levels. Whether it's summer or winter, heat and humid conditions are the norm in the area. Notably, the pressure mostly stays steady, with barometric readings remaining between 1009.8mb to 1014.3mb over the year.
Santa Cruz experiences significant variance in rainfall levels. The region receives from 9mm (0.35") to 224mm (8.82") of precipitation per month. The most precipitation occurs from
October to
December, indicating a wetter end to the year. Despite heavy downpours, residents and visitors can expect quite a bit of sunshine ranging from 5 hours to 8.6 hours per day. However, the most prolonged sunshine hours are usually found during the first half of the year.
The best time to visit Santa Cruz
Considering the climatic and weather conditions of
Santa Cruz, the best time to visit would be during the months from
May to
August. During this time, the city experiences the least rainfall, with precipitation levels dropping to a minimum of 9mm (0.35") in
July. Additionally, temperatures, although still warm, are slightly cooler compared to other times in the year, making outdoor activities more comfortable. Despite the reduced rainfall, these months still enjoy sufficient sunshine, offering visitors plenty of opportunities to explore Santa Cruz in all its tropical splendor.
The worst time to visit Santa Cruz
Conversely, the months from
October to
December prove to be the most challenging time to visit
Santa Cruz. The region witnesses its highest rainfall levels during these months, reaching up to 224mm (8.82") in
November. This excessive precipitation along with high humidity levels can cause discomfort and hinder travel plans. Despite these conditions, there's still some sunshine to be had. However, if a visit cannot be avoided during this time, visitors are advised to be well-prepared for the weather conditions.
Spring weather in Santa Cruz
Spring, delineated by the months of
March,
April, and
May, in
Santa Cruz can be characterized by gradually decreasing rainfall and a minute reduction in temperatures. The average high temperatures hover close to 28.8°C (83.8°F) in March and slowly fall down to 25.6°C (78.1°F) by May. While early spring can still experience substantial precipitation, by May, the rainfall reduces to just 22mm (0.87").
Summer weather in Santa Cruz
Summer, spanning from
June to
August, brings about the driest months in
Santa Cruz with rainfall dipping to its lowest at 9mm (0.35") in
July. Concurrently, temperatures moderate, hovering around a comfortable range of 24.5°C (76.1°F) to 24.8°C (76.6°F). Finer moments during the sunny periods, extending up to 6 hours a day, provide a pleasant atmosphere for visitors during these months.
Autumn weather in Santa Cruz
Autumn in
Santa Cruz, marked by the months of
September,
October, and
November, is typically characterized by an escalating trend in rainfall. September serves as a transition period as the precipitation gradually begins to increase from 35mm (1.38"), escalating to a staggering 224mm (8.82") by November. This significant increase in rainfall accompanies a slight rise in temperature from 25.5°C (77.9°F) to 27.1°C (80.8°F).
Winter weather in Santa Cruz
Winter in
Santa Cruz, encompassing
December,
January, and
February, is warm and rainy. High temperatures during these months range from 27.5°C (81.5°F) to 28°C (82.4°F) and lows fluctuate from 27°C (80.6°F) to 27.3°C (81.1°F). Rainfall remains high reaching up to 159mm (6.26"), particularly in December. Despite this, daylight hours of about 12.1 hours ensure that the city remains bright, with sunshine lasting for about 8.2 hours in February.
Weather in January
In
Santa Cruz, the annual weather cycle kicks off with
January embodying a typical tropical climate. Humidity levels rise slightly, accentuating the warmth. Episodes of rain showers characterize the majority of this month, contributing to an average rainfall of 130mm (5.12").
Weather in January »Weather in February
Moving into
February,
Santa Cruz experiences subtle changes in the weather pattern. Although the temperature variation between
January and February is almost negligible, the frequency of sun-lit days slightly increases, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
Weather in February »Weather in March
The progression of the year in
Santa Cruz sees a slight shift in the weather pattern by
March. The diminishing rain levels in combination with the subtly increased daytime temperature give the city's climate a more pleasant feel.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Santa Cruz carries a similar weather pattern as the preceding month of
March, but with a slightly less dry climate. The wind speeds decrease alongside a drop in the temperature, indicating the onset of the transition from warm to cooler months.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May features a noticeable change in
Santa Cruz's weather, marking the transition to noticeably cooler temperatures. The city experiences a reduction in sunshine hours, yet daytime remains constant, providing ample light for daily activities.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June brings in a marked change in
Santa Cruz's weather dynamics. A noticeable drop in temperatures pairs with an increase in the number of cloudy days leading to a dip in sunshine hours. However, this month is noteworthy due to its exceptionally low precipitation of 22mm (0.87"), marking the onset of drier conditions.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
In
July,
Santa Cruz welcomes its coolest and driest weather phase, a relief from the previous tropical conditions. The humidity drops appreciatively and the frequency of rain showers drastically recedes. July witnesses the least amount of rainfall for the year, amounting to only 9mm (0.35").
Weather in July »Weather in August
The weather pattern in
August in
Santa Cruz continues to express low rainfall levels and decreased temperatures. The echo of
July’s mild climate is indeed felt with even less sunshine hours and a reduced UV index. Slightly enhanced rainfall, reaching 21mm (0.83"), introduces a break from the preceding extremely dry conditions.
Weather in August »Weather in September
The transition to Spring in
Santa Cruz throughout
September reflects slightly warmer weather. Post august, the marginally higher temperatures coexist with an increasing moisture level, hinting at the returning tropical climate.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October ushers in a surge in rainfall in
Santa Cruz, indicating the onset of the rainy season. As the year progresses towards its end, the weather reverts to its humid, tropical character. A vast increase in precipitation to 220mm (8.66"), from the preceding 35mm (1.38") is felt here.
Weather in October » Weather in November
Santa Cruz in
November maintains the same wet conditions ushered in by
October. However, the rainfall peaks this month with a voluminous 224mm (8.82") pouring out over the city. Despite the rainy conditions, the hours of sunshine gradually increase, providing a brighter atmosphere in the city.
Weather in November » Weather in December
In
December,
Santa Cruz experiences a slight decrease in rainfall, slowly easing out of the monsoon season. However, the temperatures tiptoe upwards, paving the way for the incoming tropical weather. Interestingly, this month is distinctive due to its lowest average wind speed of the year, falling to 10.8km/h (6.7mph).
Weather in December »