In Guinea, the climate is tropical, with a dry season in winter, and a rainy season in summer due to the south-west monsoon.
Precipitation is more abundant along the coast, where up to 4,000 millimetres (155 inches) of rain fall in a year, while it's less abundant in the north and the north-east, where it's slightly above 1,000 mm (40 in) per year. Although the rains are heavier on the coast, the rainy season lasts longer in the south-east, where the first showers occur as early as in the second half of February, and the last ones occur in November, while in Conakry, on the coast, the rains occur from May to November, and in Kankan, in the east, from May to October.
The interior of Guinea is almost everywhere occupied by hills and low mountains, reaching at most an altitude of around 1,500 metres (5,000 feet), in Fouta-Djallon (in the north-west) and Mount Nimba (in the south-east); from the mountains, some important rivers such as Niger, Senegal and Gambia have their source. The altitude tempers a bit the climate, therefore the warmest cities are those found at lower elevations, such as Koundara, which is located in the far north, in the plain, and 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).
Here are the average temperatures of Koundara.

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 also from July to September all in all it is seen quite often.

The heating in spring is less pronounced along the coast, which is mitigated by the ocean breeze, but also in the south-central inland areas, both because of the higher altitude, and because the monsoon arrives earlier. So in N'Zerekoré, located in the south-east, at 500 metres (1,600 feet) above sea level, the average daytime temperature does not go above 32 °C (90 °F) in February and March, and in Conakry, on the coast, it doesn't exceed 32 °C (90 °F) in April.
Here are the average temperatures of N'Zerekoré.

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 remains sunny.

Winter in Guinea, from December to February, is hot, dry and sunny, with the prevalence of the north-east wind, called Harmattan, which can carry dust and sand particles from the desert. Nights are usually cool, especially in the interior, while during the day the temperature is high, around 32/34 °C (90/93 °F), but with peaks of 40 °C (104 °F). By February, the first showers occur in the south, while in the centre and north the heat becomes even more intense.



The capital Conakry, lying on the coast, experiences little variation in temperatures throughout the year: in winter, daytime temperatures are around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F), while in the rainy season they drop to 27/29 °C (81/84 °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 metres (13 feet) of rain that fall in a year, occurs from June to mid-October, in particular the rains are torrential in July and August, when it rains almost every day and the sky is almost always overcast. 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 wettest area, that of the capital is also the least sunny in the country.

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

When to go

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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.
Being the dry season, the best period for a beach holiday runs from December to April.

What to pack

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In winter: in Conakry and the coast, 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: light clothing of natural fibres, an umbrella, a light sweatshirt and a light raincoat for the long and heavy downpours. In inland areas and mountain ranges, you can add a heavier sweatshirt for wet and rainy days.