Liberia, located on the coast of western Africa, experiences a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. The country is bounded by Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, Côte d’Ivoire to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west.
Liberia's terrain ranges from low, sandy coastal plains to rolling hills and a dissected plateau further inland, with a lush rainforest harboring diverse flora and fauna. This article delves into the specifics of Liberia's climate, including temperature and rainfall patterns, and explores the impact of climate change on the country.
Relief map of Liberia
General Climate Overview
In Liberia, the climate is tropical, hot, and humid year-round. There is a rainy season from May to October due to the African monsoon, with frequent rains in other months, except during the short dry season from December to February, which is more pronounced in the north.
Along the coast, rainfall is very abundant, exceeding 3,000 millimeters (118 inches) per year. In Monrovia, rainfall can reach as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet) per year.
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The climate, especially on the coast, is warm and humid year-round, dominated by a dry season from November to April and by a rainy season from May to October. Yearly rainfall is as high as 200 inches on the coast, decreasing to about 70 inches in areas farthest inland.
Seasonal Variations
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The four physiographic regions of Liberia parallel the coast. The coastal plains are about 350 miles (560 km) long and extend as far as 25 miles (40 km) inland.
The four seasons in Liberia are marked by distinct weather patterns:
- Winter (December to February): Rains are rare in the center and north, with frequent sunshine, although some showers are still possible. The temperature is high, around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) during the day, and humidity remains high, especially along the coast and in the forests of the interior. Occasionally, the Harmattan, a dry wind from the Sahara, brings dust.
- March and April: Temperatures slightly rise, and showers become more frequent. Temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F).
- May to October: The monsoon arrives in May, bringing torrential rainfall, especially along the coast. Cloudiness is frequent, and daytime temperatures drop below 30 °C (86 °F).
- November: Rains decrease sharply compared to previous months. The temperature increases slightly due to more sunshine, reaching 30 °C (86 °F) during the day.
The daily average high and low air temperature at 2 meters above the ground. The thin dotted lines are the corresponding perceived temperatures.
Temperature, precipitation, and other climate dynamics change throughout a 12 month period. Understanding these patterns can help to identify local climate behavior and the potential for changing seasons over time.
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Detailed Climate Data
Here's a look at the climate data for two locations in Liberia: Monrovia and Zwedru.
Monrovia
As mentioned, rainfall in Monrovia amounts to 5 meters (200 inches) per year, with a maximum in June and July, when nearly one meter (3.3 feet) of rain falls per month, and a relative decrease in August. The rains are abundant already in April, and still in November.
In Monrovia, the sky is often cloudy during the rainy season, and the sun does not shine very often even in the (relatively) dry winter season. With 1,660 hours of sunshine annually, Monrovia has as much sunshine as Paris.
Zwedru
In Zwedru, rainfall amounts to 1,900 mm (74 in) per year.
The following table shows detailed climate data for Monrovia and Zwedru:
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| Location | Month | Min Temp (°C) | Max Temp (°C) | Precipitation (mm) | Precip. Days | Day Length (hours) | Sun Hours | Sea Temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monrovia | Jan | 22 | 32 | 30 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 28 |
| Feb | 23 | 32 | 55 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 28 | |
| Mar | 24 | 32 | 95 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 28 | |
| Apr | 24 | 32 | 215 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 29 | |
| May | 24 | 30 | 515 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 29 | |
| Jun | 23 | 28 | 975 | 24 | 12 | 4 | 28 | |
| Jul | 23 | 27 | 995 | 21 | 12 | 3 | 27 | |
| Aug | 23 | 27 | 375 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 27 | |
| Sep | 23 | 28 | 745 | 24 | 12 | 3 | 27 | |
| Oct | 23 | 29 | 770 | 22 | 12 | 4 | 28 | |
| Nov | 24 | 30 | 235 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 28 | |
| Dec | 22 | 30 | 130 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 29 | |
| Zwedru | Jan | 18 | 31 | 25 | ||||
| Feb | 20 | 32 | 65 | |||||
| Mar | 21 | 32 | 125 | |||||
| Apr | 21 | 31 | 140 | |||||
| May | 21 | 30 | 205 | |||||
| Jun | 21 | 28 | 280 | |||||
| Jul | 21 | 27 | 165 | |||||
| Aug | 21 | 27 | 180 | |||||
| Sep | 21 | 28 | 335 | |||||
| Oct | 21 | 29 | 215 | |||||
| Nov | 21 | 29 | 100 | |||||
| Dec | 19 | 29 | 50 |
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Liberia is winter, especially in January and February, as they are the sunniest and least rainy months. The worst period is from May to October, although, between mid-July and late August, rainfall decreases significantly in the south.
What to Pack
- Winter: In Monrovia and the northern coast, bring light clothes for the day, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a scarf for the wind-borne sand and dust. In Greenville and the south coast, add an umbrella or a light raincoat. In inland areas, it may be useful to bring a sweatshirt and a jacket for the evening.
- Summer: Bring tropics-friendly, light clothing of natural fibers, an umbrella (even though it is not useful for the most intense monsoon rains), 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.
Climate Change Impact and Adaptation
Liberia joined the CCAC in 2014 to step up its ambition to combat short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), especially in the waste, household energy, and cooling sectors. Recent report from the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) in 2022 ranks Liberia 177th in terms of climate change vulnerability, and 165th in terms of readiness.
Climate Change Impacts in Liberia
Despite these, the country has demonstrated a high commitment to build resilience to climate change and contribute to the overall Paris goal. As a member of the Coalition's SNAP Initiative, the CCAC and the Stockholm Environment Institute worked with the Liberian Government to train stakeholders on the Long Range Energy Alternatives Planning System and its Integrated Benefits Calculator, or LEAP-IBC.
The revised NDCs reflect increased ambition in terms of strengthened targets, accelerated timelines, or a broader scope covering additional sectors or greenhouse gases, including SLCPs. In 2018, the country ratified the Paris Agreement and pledged its mitigation objectives in several sectors in its nationally determined contribution.
Policy and Institutional Framework
Liberia has also established an institutional framework consisting of institutions and several national networks, platforms, programs, and groups for climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the designated national authority for the UNFCCC and the lead institution for climate change coordination.
The push for enhanced efforts to tackle environmental issues has been complemented by the development of numerous policies and acts, demonstrating commitment from the government and private sector to support the fight against climate change and SLCP emissions.
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