Climate & Weather Guide in Cape Verde

Climate zones, seasonal temperatures, rainfall patterns, and best travel times

Cape Verde has a warm, dry, and very sunny subtropical climate shaped by the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara trade-wind system. Most islands are semi-arid to arid, with small seasonal temperature changes and a short wetter period mainly from August to October. Coastal areas stay pleasantly warm year-round, while higher islands such as Santo Antão and Fogo are a little cooler and can receive more rain. For residents and expats, the climate is generally comfortable, but water scarcity, wind exposure, and occasional dust events are practical realities. Current climate summaries show recent average national temperatures around 22.9 C in 2024, consistent with a mild tropical archipelago climate.

Summer Average

24-30°C

Winter Average

20-25°C

Climate Types

Semi-arid and Arid and Subtropical

Annual Rainfall

100-600 mm

Sunshine Hours

2,800-3,400 hrs/yr

Average Humidity

60-75%

Regional Climate Variations

Windward Islands

The northern and northeastern islands, including São Vicente, Santa Luzia, and parts of Santo Antão, are strongly influenced by the northeast trade winds. Conditions are warm, dry, and often breezy, with rainfall limited and highly variable from year to year. The climate is comfortable for outdoor living, but the wind can make some days feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. Fog and cloud are more common in elevated areas, especially on higher slopes where moisture is slightly better retained. These islands fit well for people who want a sunny, coastal lifestyle with relatively stable temperatures and little seasonal disruption.

Summer:25-31°C

Winter:21-25°C

Low rainfall

Warm, breezy, and predominantly dry, with strong trade winds and long sunny periods.

Leeward Islands

The southern islands, including Santiago, Maio, Fogo, and Brava, are generally a bit warmer and somewhat more varied than the northern group. Santiago, the most populated island, has dry lowlands with a short rainy season, while Fogo and Brava can be locally wetter at higher elevations. Rain usually falls in brief episodes rather than steady prolonged periods, so water management remains important. The climate feels hot in sheltered coastal areas but more temperate in upland settlements. This zone offers the widest mix of living conditions in Cape Verde, from dry urban coastlines to cooler volcanic highlands.

Summer:25-32°C

Winter:20-24°C

Low to moderate rainfall

Generally dry and warm, with brief summer rains and cooler, greener mountain pockets on the volcanic islands.

Highland and Mountain Areas

Elevated zones on islands such as Santo Antão, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava are cooler and slightly wetter than the coast. These areas can capture more cloud moisture, so vegetation is denser and agriculture is more feasible than in lowland arid districts. Temperatures remain mild even in the warm season, making upland towns and villages attractive for residents who prefer less heat. Rainfall is still limited compared with humid tropical climates, but it is enough to create noticeable local contrasts. For expats, these areas offer the most temperate microclimates in the country, though access and infrastructure can be more challenging than in coastal centers.

Summer:22-28°C

Winter:18-23°C

Low to moderate rainfall

Milder and greener than the coast, with cooler nights, more cloud cover, and the best chance of seasonal moisture.

Cape Verde is broadly warm, sunny, and dry, but its islands are not climatically identical: coastal lowlands are hot and arid, while higher terrain is noticeably cooler and can receive more rain. For residents and expats, the main appeal is year-round comfort and abundant sunshine, balanced by wind, limited rainfall, and water-supply constraints in many places.

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