Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe Climate & Monthly Averages

The climate of Sao Tome

Sao Tome has one of the steadier climates in our dataset. Average highs move only 2°C across the whole year - from 80°F (27°C) in August to 85°F (29°C) in March - so the practical difference between seasons here is rainfall and daylight, not warmth.

Climate quick facts

• Hottest month: March - highs near 85°F (29°C)
• Coldest month: August - highs near 80°F (27°C)
• Decade extremes (2015-2024): 90°F (32°C) high · 68°F (20°C) low
• Wettest month: October (27 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (9.6 h sun/day)
• Climate type: tropical wet-and-dry
• Annual swing: 2°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 4°C
• Average humidity: 86%

Temperatures through the year

Warmth peaks in March: highs of 85°F (29°C), lows of 78°F (26°C). August is the coolest month, with highs of 80°F (27°C) and lows near 74°F (23°C). Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 90°F (32°C) and the lowest daily minimum 68°F (20°C). Between the average March and the average August lie 2°C, a narrower spread than all but 6% of the 3496 cities in our dataset.

Rain, sun and snow

Relative humidity averages 86% across the year, more humid than almost anywhere else we cover - enough that summer afternoons feel hotter than the thermometer says, which is what the dew point converter is for. Precipitation concentrates in October - 15.6 inches (396 mm) on 27 days - and thins out by July. Sunshine averages 8.8 hours a day over the year, peaking in June at 9.6 hours. Days and nights are about 4°C apart on average - narrower than almost anywhere else we cover.

How Sao Tome compares

• Rain or snow reaches the ground on 272 days a year - more wet days than 97% of the 3496 cities we track.
• Annual precipitation is 104.5 inches (2655 mm) - wetter than 96% of the 3496 cities we track.
• Sao Tome averages 79°F (26°C) across the year - warmer than 89% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Best time to visit Sao Tome

Aim for May to September and January if you get the choice: the dry season is running but the afternoons are still bearable, and highs average 82°F (28°C) against roughly 20 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in May.

Pack for Sao Tome with light clothing for the warm months, proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here and moisture-wicking fabrics for the humidity. Note the gap between afternoon and night: March pairs 85°F (29°C) with 78°F (26°C).