Climate - Nouakchott (Mauritania)

The climate of Nouakchott is tropical arid.
The city is the capital of Mauritania and is located on the coast, at the 18th parallel north.
The coolest period is from December to February, when the temperature can drop as low as 10 °C (50 °F) at night.
The prevailing winds come from the north, and are cool when they come from the north-west, and hot and dry when they come from the north-east.
Only in July and August do winds from the west prevail, so the heat is less intense than in the previous and following months, but it is more humid.
Meanwhile, the sea gradually becomes warmer, and the intertropical convergence zone, where clouds and rains form, approaches from the south, reaching Senegal.
In August and September there may be some rare rain due to the African monsoon, which however normally remains further south.
The hottest months are September and October, when the wind becomes more variable, so much so that it sometimes blows from the south.

Nouakchott - Climate data

In Nouakchott, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F), that of the warmest month (September) is of 30.4 °C (86.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Nouakchott, precipitation amounts to 160 millimeters (6.3 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 1 mm (0 in) in the driest months (January, February, March, April, May, June, December) to 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
At Nouakchott, the sea temperature ranges from 19.5 °C (67 °F) in February, March to 27 °C (81 °F) in September. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Nouakchott, there are on average around 2950 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Nouakchott - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Nouakchott 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 14.8 °C (58.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Nouakchott is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Nouakchott is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.3 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.8 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (103.5 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
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 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Nouakchott is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 26.3 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.3 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 42 °C (108 °F). However, it reached 46 °C (114.8 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Nouakchott is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.8 °F) and a maximum of 34.3 °C (93.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (110 °F). However, it reached 46.5 °C (115.7 °F) in May 2003.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Nouakchott is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 22.4 °C (72.2 °F) and a maximum of 34.2 °C (93.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 45 °C (112.5 °F). However, it reached 47 °C (116.6 °F) in June 1995.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 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 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Nouakchott is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41 °C (106 °F). However, it reached 48 °C (118.4 °F) in July 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Nouakchott is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.2 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103.5 °F). However, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °F) in August 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 4 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Nouakchott is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.4 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 25.6 °C (78.2 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (109 °F). However, it reached 45.2 °C (113.4 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (80.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Nouakchott is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 36.7 °C (98 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (109 °F). However, it reached 44.2 °C (111.6 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Nouakchott is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) and a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (58.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F). However, it reached 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Nouakchott 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 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 39.9 °C (103.8 °F) in December 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
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 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 36%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.