Angel Falls Weather & Climate: The Ultimate Seasonal Guide

Angel Falls, or Kerepakupai Merú, sits within the heart of Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, a region defined by dramatic verticality and an equatorial climate. Understanding the weather here is less about temperature—which stays remarkably consistent—and more about the water cycle that dictates access to the falls themselves.

Typical Weather Patterns

As a tropical destination located at approximately 6° north of the equator, Angel Falls experiences two primary seasons: the Wet Season (May to November) and the Dry Season (December to April).

• Rainfall: The region receives between 2,000mm and 4,000mm of rain annually. During the peak wet months (June–September), rain is frequent and often arrives in the form of "Palo e'agua"—short, sudden, and incredibly intense tropical downpours.
• Temperature: Lowland temperatures around Canaima Lagoon typically range from 22°C (72°F) at night to 32°C (90°F) during the day. However, the higher you ascend toward the Auyán-tepui summit, the cooler it becomes, with temperatures dropping as low as 2°C (36°F) on the plateau nights.

Seasonal Trends

The Wet Season (May – November)

This is the time of "Maximum Majesty." The rivers (Churún and Carrao) swell, making them deep enough for the traditional curiara (motored dugout canoes) to reach the base of the falls.

• The Waterfall: This is when Angel Falls lives up to its name, descending as a powerful, thundering column of water.
• The Trade-off: Atmospheric moisture often creates heavy cloud cover that can completely obscure the tepui for days. Aerial flyovers are frequently canceled or delayed due to low visibility.

The Dry Season (December – April)

As the rains recede, the landscape transforms. In peak dry months like February and March, the world’s tallest waterfall can shrivel into a delicate ribbon of mist.

• The Waterfall: Much of the water vaporizes before it even reaches the ground, creating a ghostly, ethereal effect.
• Accessibility: River levels may drop so low that boat trips become impossible. Travelers during this time often rely on helicopter flights or hiking rather than river expeditions.

The Tepui Microclimate

The tepuis (tabletop mountains) function as "islands in the sky," creating their own localized weather systems.

• Orographic Lift: As warm, moist air from the Amazon hits the vertical walls of Auyán-tepui, it is forced upward, cooling and condensing into permanent mist or sudden storms.
• Variable Exposure: The summit can switch from blindingly bright tropical sun to a freezing, rain-swept fog within minutes. This persistent dampness supports rare endemics like carnivorous pitcher plants and ancient moss forests.

Weather Phenomena: The Disappearing Fall

One of the most unique phenomena at Angel Falls is its "vanishing" act. Because the drop is so extreme (979 meters), the water molecules are subjected to massive air resistance and wind. In many weather conditions, the waterfall doesn't "hit" the bottom in a traditional sense; instead, it atomizes into a massive cloud of spray that drifts into the jungle, watering the surrounding cloud forest without ever forming a conventional plunge pool.

Local Experience and Adaptation

The indigenous Pemón people have lived in harmony with this fickle climate for millennia. They name the falls Kerepakupai Merú ("waterfall of the deepest place") and view the tepuis as the "House of the Gods," often hidden by sacred clouds. Locals rely on their deep knowledge of river levels—reading the subtle change in water color and flow—to determine when it is safe to navigate the rapids leading to the falls.

What the Weather "Feels Like"

Beyond the thermometer, the weather at Angel Falls is an experience of extreme humidity. Even on sunny days, the air feels thick and "pregnant" with moisture. When it rains, the relief is instant but brief, usually followed by a rise in mugginess as the jungle floor begins to evaporate the fallen water. Near the base of the falls, the weather feels like a perpetual, cool hurricane—the downdraft from the falling water creates a localized wind that carries a heavy, soaking spray.