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The climate of Dakar is
tropical arid, with a long dry season from November to May, and a hotter, wetter and rainy season that runs roughly from July to early October.
The city is the capital of Senegal and is located in the center of the country, on the tip of a peninsula (the Cape Verde peninsula). Due to the location, the climate is milder than in the rest of Senegal. In the dry season, fresh ocean winds blow from the north, and haze can sometimes form. In the hot, humid and rainy period, on the other hand, the wind is weaker and of variable direction.
All year round, however, a hot, dry wind can blow from the interior, maybe just for a day or two.
Dakar - Climate data
In Dakar, the
average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 22.0 °C (71.5 °F), that of the warmest month (October) is of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Dakar - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|
| January | 18.8 | 26.3 | 22.5 | 66 | 79 | 72.6 |
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| February | 18.1 | 25.8 | 22 | 65 | 78 | 71.5 |
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| March | 18.4 | 25.6 | 22 | 65 | 78 | 71.6 |
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| April | 19.1 | 25.4 | 22.2 | 66 | 78 | 72 |
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| May | 20.7 | 26.4 | 23.5 | 69 | 79 | 74.4 |
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| June | 23.5 | 28.9 | 26.2 | 74 | 84 | 79.1 |
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| July | 25 | 30.2 | 27.6 | 77 | 86 | 81.7 |
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| August | 25.2 | 30.5 | 27.9 | 77 | 87 | 82.2 |
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| September | 25 | 31 | 28 | 77 | 88 | 82.4 |
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| October | 25.1 | 31.5 | 28.3 | 77 | 89 | 82.9 |
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| November | 23.3 | 30.4 | 26.9 | 74 | 87 | 80.4 |
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| December | 21.1 | 28.2 | 24.6 | 70 | 83 | 76.4 |
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| Year | 22 | 28.4 | 25.1 | 71.6 | 83 | 77 |
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In Dakar,
precipitation amounts to 515 millimeters (20.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (January, February, March, April, May, November, December) to 235 mm (9.3 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
Dakar - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|
| January | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| February | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| March | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| April | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| May | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| June | 10 | 0.4 | 2 |
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| July | 65 | 2.6 | 6 |
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| August | 235 | 9.3 | 11 |
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| September | 175 | 6.9 | 9 |
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| October | 30 | 1.2 | 4 |
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| November | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| December | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| Year | 515 | 20.3 | 32 |
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At Dakar, the
sea temperature ranges from 20.5 °C (69 °F) in February, March to 28.5 °C (83 °F) in September, October. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Dakar - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 21.5 | 71 | February | 20.5 | 69 | March | 20.5 | 69 | April | 21 | 70 | May | 22.5 | 73 | June | 25.5 | 78 | July | 27.5 | 82 | August | 28 | 83 | September | 28.5 | 83 | October | 28.5 | 83 | November | 27 | 81 | December | 24.5 | 76 | Year | 24.7 | 76.5 |
In Dakar, there are on average around 3020
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Dakar - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 8 | 245 | February | 8.5 | 245 | March | 9 | 275 | April | 9.5 | 290 | May | 9.5 | 290 | June | 8.5 | 250 | July | 7.5 | 230 | August | 7 | 225 | September | 7.5 | 220 | October | 8.5 | 255 | November | 8.5 | 250 | December | 7.5 | 240 | Year | 8.3 | 3020 |
Dakar - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In
January, the weather in Dakar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in January 1997.
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 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
February, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Dakar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.1 °C (64.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) in February 2008.
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 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
March, the weather in Dakar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.2 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in March 2000.
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 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
April, the weather in Dakar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (62 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in April 2017.
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 30 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
May, the weather in Dakar is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) and a maximum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °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 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in May 1997.
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 50 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In
June, the weather in Dakar is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.2 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 39.3 °C (102.7 °F) in June 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In
July, the weather in Dakar is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 25 °C (77 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in July 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In
August, the weather in Dakar is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.9 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (87 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 235 mm (9.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In
September, the weather in Dakar is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 25 °C (77 °F) and a maximum of 31 °C (87.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 9 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 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In
October, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Dakar is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.6 °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 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in October 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In
November, the weather in Dakar is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (74 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 40.3 °C (104.5 °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 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In
December, the weather in Dakar is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.6 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (64 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) in December 2002.
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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.