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The climate of Timbuktu is
tropical arid, with a relatively cool season from December to mid-February and a relatively rainy season from June to September. The hottest time of the year goes from April to June, before the rains arrive.
The city is located in north-central Mali, at an altitude of 270 meters (885 feet), near the Niger River.
We are on the edge of the area affected by the African monsoon, where the rains are generally not abundant, and vary greatly depending on the year.
In winter, the
Harmattan, the dust-laden wind of the Sahara, can blow.
Timbuktu - Climate data
In Timbuktu, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 22.2 °C (72.0 °F), that of the warmest month (June) is of 35.5 °C (95.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Timbuktu - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|
| January | 15 | 30 | 22.2 | 59 | 85 | 72 |
|---|
| February | 17 | 33 | 24.9 | 63 | 91 | 76.8 |
|---|
| March | 21 | 37 | 29 | 70 | 99 | 84.3 |
|---|
| April | 25 | 41 | 32.7 | 77 | 105 | 90.9 |
|---|
| May | 28 | 42 | 35 | 82 | 108 | 95 |
|---|
| June | 29 | 42 | 35.5 | 85 | 107 | 95.9 |
|---|
| July | 27 | 39 | 32.9 | 81 | 102 | 91.2 |
|---|
| August | 26 | 37 | 31.5 | 79 | 98 | 88.7 |
|---|
| September | 26 | 39 | 32.3 | 79 | 101 | 90.2 |
|---|
| October | 24 | 39 | 31.9 | 76 | 103 | 89.4 |
|---|
| November | 19 | 35 | 27.1 | 67 | 95 | 80.8 |
|---|
| December | 15 | 31 | 23.4 | 60 | 89 | 74.1 |
|---|
| Year | 22.7 | 37 | 29.85 | 72.9 | 98.7 | 85.5 |
|---|
In Timbuktu,
precipitation amounts to 185 millimeters (7.3 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (February, March, November, December) to 75 mm (3 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
Timbuktu - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|
| January | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| February | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| March | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| April | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|---|
| May | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
|---|
| June | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
|---|
| July | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
|---|
| August | 75 | 3 | 8 |
|---|
| September | 30 | 1.2 | 5 |
|---|
| October | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
|---|
| November | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| December | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Year | 185 | 7.2 | 25 |
|---|
In Timbuktu, there are on average around 3105
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Timbuktu - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 8.5 | 265 | February | 9 | 250 | March | 8.5 | 270 | April | 8.5 | 255 | May | 9 | 275 | June | 8 | 235 | July | 8 | 250 | August | 8 | 255 | September | 8.5 | 250 | October | 9 | 275 | November | 9 | 275 | December | 8.5 | 260 | Year | 8.5 | 3105 |
Timbuktu - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In
January, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Timbuktu is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in January 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 41.6 °C (106.9 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 22%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
In
February, the weather in Timbuktu is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 17.1 °C (62.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F). However, it reached 43.5 °C (110.3 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 18%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In
March, the weather in Timbuktu is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 29.0 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) and a maximum of 37.2 °C (99 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in March 2012.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108 °F). However, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °F) in March 2011.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 15%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In
April, the weather in Timbuktu is usually scorchingly hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 32.7 °C (91 °F), with a minimum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F) and a maximum of 40.6 °C (105 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 44.5 °C (112.5 °F). However, it reached 46.5 °C (115.7 °F) in April 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 16%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In
May, the weather in Timbuktu is usually scorchingly hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 35 °C (95 °F), with a minimum of 27.7 °C (81.9 °F) and a maximum of 42.3 °C (108.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in May 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 46 °C (114.5 °F). However, it reached 48.8 °C (119.8 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 20%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In
June, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Timbuktu is usually scorchingly hot. The average temperature is of 35.5 °C (96 °F), with a minimum of 29.2 °C (84.5 °F) and a maximum of 41.8 °C (107.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it dropped to 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 46 °C (114.5 °F). However, it reached 47.3 °C (117.1 °F) in June 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 30%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
In
July, the weather in Timbuktu is usually scorchingly hot. The average temperature is of 32.9 °C (91 °F), with a minimum of 27 °C (80.7 °F) and a maximum of 38.7 °C (101.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 43.5 °C (110.5 °F). However, it reached 45.2 °C (113.4 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
In
August, the weather in Timbuktu is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 31.5 °C (89 °F), with a minimum of 26 °C (78.9 °F) and a maximum of 36.9 °C (98.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it dropped to 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42 °C (107.5 °F). However, it reached 46.5 °C (115.7 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In
September, the weather in Timbuktu is usually scorchingly hot. The average temperature is of 32.3 °C (90 °F), with a minimum of 26 °C (78.9 °F) and a maximum of 38.6 °C (101.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it dropped to 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (109 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
In
October, the weather in Timbuktu is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 31.9 °C (89 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.8 °F) and a maximum of 39.4 °C (103 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108.5 °F). However, it reached 44.6 °C (112.3 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 29%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
In
November, the weather in Timbuktu is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (95.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 25%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In
December, the weather in Timbuktu is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in December 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in December 1993.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 23%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).