Climate Insights for São Tomé

The climate in São Tomé is hot. The average annual temperature is 26°C and approximately 428mm of precipitation falls per year. March is the wettest month, receiving around 100mm of rainfall. São Tomé sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

São Tomé sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 20°C to 33°C. The warmest month is November, when average highs reach 33°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 20°C and an average of 25°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs.

São Tomé is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 428mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 36mm per month. The wettest month is March, averaging 100mm of rainfall. April and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 4mm. That's 96mm less than March, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

São Tomé is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 23km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 26km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in March, with average winds dropping to 18km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 8km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 24km/h in winter, 25km/h in spring, 21km/h in summer, 19km/h in autumn.

It is currently autumn in São Tomé, which began on March 20, 2026. São Tomé sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in November at around 33°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in August near 20°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 87 days from now.

The best time to visit São Tomé is during July, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 25°C with modest rainfall averaging 42mm per month. By contrast, November can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 33°C, while August is the coldest period with lows dropping to 20°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for São Tomé based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.