Weather in Fortaleza

Fortaleza is in Brazil at 3.7°S. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a monsoon climate with a sharp wet-dry split. Rain is the monsoon runs from January to June, inside an annual total of 1082 mm. The wettest month is April at 249 mm; the driest is September at 3 mm.

December is the warmest month (average 28.3°C, high 30.2°C) and July is the coolest (average 26.7°C, low 24.6°C). From the coolest night in July (24.5°C) to the hottest afternoon in December (30.3°C), the raw range is 5.8°C. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are August, September, and October.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are August, September, and October: August (27.0°C average, 9 mm, 74% humidity); September (27.5°C average, 3 mm, 72% humidity); October (28.0°C average, 5 mm, 72% humidity). They fall in calendar order. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you want the monsoon itself — fewer crowds, greener landscape, heavier rain — aim at January–June instead of the score.

How warm Fortaleza gets

The heat peaks in December, when the typical afternoon is 30.2°C. The opposite pole is July, when mornings average 24.6°C.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 29.4°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; December nights still hold 26.3°C.

Rainfall pattern

The monsoon in Fortaleza starts in January and ends in June (January, February, March, April, May, and June). April is the core of it at 249 mm. September is the other extreme, with 3 mm.

Humidity peaks near 84%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

Distinctive months in Fortaleza

The monsoon opens in January. Expect 128 mm and 18 rainy days, with nights around 26.1°C. March brings 223 mm and 26 rainy days; temperatures run from 26.2°C to 29.0°C. April is the wettest month — 249 mm and 27 rainy days, with 84% humidity. May: 28.9°C high, 26.0°C low, 145 mm rain, 83% humidity.

June closes the monsoon: 90 mm over 17 rainy days, then the calendar dries. The year bottoms out in July. Plan for 24.6°C at night and 28.8°C in the afternoon. September is the driest month, averaging only 3 mm across 1 rainy days. Highs sit near 30.0°C. Peak heat arrives in December: 30.2°C by day, 26.3°C at night, and 74% humidity.

Fortaleza and other cities in Brazil

Recife is about 630 km away: Fortaleza is about as warm as Recife at the hot peak and 334 mm drier over the year than Recife. Recife’s wettest month is June (261 mm) versus April here.

Salvador is about 1030 km away: Fortaleza is 0.5°C warmer than Salvador in its hottest month and 130 mm drier over the year than Salvador. Salvador’s wettest month is May (166 mm) versus April here.

Belém is about 1135 km away: Fortaleza is 1.1°C cooler than Belém in its hottest month and 1487 mm drier over the year than Belém. Belém’s wettest month is March (411 mm) versus April here.