Climate - Guinea

The climate in detail

---

• Inland areas - Koundara, N'Zerekoré
• The coast - Conakry
• Sea temperature
• When to go
• What to pack

Inland areas

---

The interior of Guinea is almost everywhere occupied by hills and low mountains, which reach at most an altitude of around 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), both in Mount Loura (in the north-west) and in Mount Nimba (in the south-east). In the mountains, some important rivers such as Niger, Senegal, and Gambia have their source.
The altitude tempers a bit the climate, so the warmest cities are found at lower elevations.

Koundara

Koundara, located in the far north, at sea level, is very hot especially from March to May, before the arrival of the monsoon, when highs are normally around 38/40 °C (100/104 °F). We are in the hottest area of Guinea.
Here are the average temperatures.

As mentioned, the north is the least rainy area of country; moreover, the rainy season is shorter. Here is the average precipitation in Koundara.

In the far north, the sun shines regularly in the long dry season, but all in all, it is seen quite often also from July to September.

N'Zerekoré

In N'Zerekoré, located in the south-east, in the so-called Guinée forestière, at 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level, the climate is less hot, both for the altitude and for the greater rainfall. Indeed, the average daytime temperature does not go above 32 °C (90 °F) in February and March. Here are the average temperatures.

As mentioned, the south-east is the area where the rainy season is longer. Here is the average precipitation in N'Zerekoré.

In the south, the sun shines less often than in the north, even in the dry season, which, however, is still quite sunny.

The coast

---

Conakry

The capital, Conakry, lying on the coast, has a hot and humid climate, with little variation in temperatures throughout the year. In winter, highs are around 31/32 °C (88/90 °F), while in the rainy season they drop to 28/29 °C (82/84 °F), although the higher humidity makes the heat muggy (but at least, on the coast the heat is tempered by the breeze). Here are the average temperatures.

Conakry is the rainiest city of Guinea: the majority of the 4 meters (13 feet) of rain that fall in a year, occurs from June to mid-October. In particular, there is torrential rainfall in July and August, when it rains almost every day. Here is the average precipitation.

In Conakry, the sun shines quite often from November to April, while in the rainy season, and especially from July to September, the sky is often cloudy. In addition to being the rainiest area, that of the capital is also the least sunny of the country.

Sea temperature

---

The sea in Guinea is warm enough for swimming all year round, as you can see in the following table.

When to go

---

The best time to visit Guinea is winter, in particular in December and January. The weather is good, although it can get hot during the day, especially in inland areas and at lower altitudes, while it can get cool at night, especially in the mountains.
Before the arrival of the monsoon, from March to May, it becomes very hot in inland regions, especially in the north, while on the coast the temperature is more stable. On the contrary, in the south the rains begin to fall.
The best period for a beach holiday runs from December to April, since it's the dry season.

What to pack

---

In winter: in Conakry and along the coast, bring light clothes for the day, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a scarf for the wind-borne sand and dust. In inland areas, it may be useful to bring a sweatshirt and a jacket for the evening.
In summer: bring light clothing of natural fibers, a light sweatshirt and a light raincoat for the long and heavy downpours, or an umbrella, which, however, may not be effective for tropical rains. In inland areas and mountain ranges, you can add a heavier sweatshirt or a sweater for wet and rainy days.

Back to top