Burkina Faso experiences a tropical climate, characterized by a distinct rainy season during the summer months, influenced by the African monsoon, and a dry season in winter. The temperatures remain high throughout the year.
In the north, the rainy season is shorter and less intense, leading to a semi-arid climate. Conversely, the south experiences longer rains, supporting lusher vegetation and savannah ecosystems.
Climate zones of Burkina Faso
Temperature Patterns
In winter, the air is dry due to the prevalence of northeast winds. Highs are around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) in the north and 32/33 °C (90/91 °F) in the south, even in the coolest months, i.e. December and January, but sometimes they can be higher. The prevailing wind, called Harmattan, blows from the north-east and is able to lift dust, making the sky whitish, but it can also cause real sandstorms.
Starting from February, the temperature begins to rise, and the heat becomes scorching. In the south, the first rains occur quite early, and are able to increase the humidity but also to hinder the increase of temperature; on the other hand, in the north and partly in the center, the heat increases until April and May, when highs reach normally 40/42 °C (104/108 °F).
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The highest recorded temperatures are impressive, especially in the north, where they are around 47/48 °C (117/118 °F), and has been recorded in April and May. In the south, the heat records are around 42/44 °C (108/111 °F), and has been set between February and April, and even in January in the extreme south, where the sun's rays in winter are stronger because of the proximity to the Equator.
Between July and September, when the monsoon manifests its greatest effects, the temperature drops everywhere, with highs about 28/32 °C (82/90 °F), but high humidity makes the heat uncomfortable. However, even in summer there can still be some scorching days, in the pauses between the rainy periods, especially in the north, where the monsoon is less intense and consistent.
In October and November, the heat starts to increase again with the withdrawal of the monsoon, more in the north, where highs return to about 40 °C (104 °F), than in the south, where they remain around 35 °C (95 °F).
Storms can also occur in spring because of the clash with moist air masses that come from the ocean and advance towards the interior. Although the winter is normally warm, sometimes it can get a bit cold at night. The cold records are around 6/7 °C (43/45 °F) in the north and 10 °C (50 °F) in the south.
In May and June, the first significant rains coming from the south may be preceded or accompanied by whirlwinds and tornadoes, which are caused by the clash with the preexistent dry air masses.
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The Geography of Burkina Faso
Regional Climate Variations
Dori
In Dori, rainfall amounts to only 500 mm (20 in) per year, and it exceeds 50 mm (2 in) per month only from June to September, with a peak in August. In Dori, temperatures are high all year round; the hottest periods, which are often scorching, are those that precede and follow the rainy season, that is, March-May and mid-September to November.
Ouagadougou
In the capital, Ouagadougou, located in the center of the country, the rains amount to 785 mm (31 in) per year and are concentrated from May to early October, while in the rest of the year they are sporadic, especially in winter, when it hardly ever rains, as happens in the rest of the country. In Ouagadougou it is hot all year round as well, but from April to October the temperatures are a bit lower than in the north, because it is more easily reached by humid air masses from the south, especially in the rainy season.
In Ouagadougou, the sun shines all year round; however, in the rainy season, and in particular from July to September, the sunshine duration decreases a little.
Bobo-Dioulasso
In Bobo-Dioulasso, the scorching heat is rarer in the dry months, while from July to September, the maximum temperature does not go above 30-31 °C (86-88 °F) on average.
Climate Data Table
Below is a climate data table showing average temperatures and precipitation for several locations in Burkina Faso.
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| Location | Month | Min Temp (°C) | Max Temp (°C) | Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobo Dioulasso | January | 19 | 33 | 0 |
| Bobo Dioulasso | August | 22 | 30 | 270 |
| Ouagadougou | January | 17 | 34 | 0 |
| Ouagadougou | August | 23 | 32 | 230 |
| Dori | January | 16 | 33 | 0 |
| Dori | August | 24 | 34 | 185 |
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Burkina Faso is winter, especially the months of December and January: the weather is good, it's hot but the air is dry. Sometimes at night it can be a bit cold, especially in the north, while during the day it can get hot everywhere, but especially in the south. By February, the heat increases and becomes intense starting from the south, then spring is very hot everywhere. Summer is rainy, and particularly intense showers can sometimes cause flooding. All in all, even November, which is a hot month, can be chosen because it is not so different from December and January, especially in the south.
What to Wear
- In winter: bring light clothes for the day, long, loose-fitting and of natural fabric (cotton or linen), a desert turban for the wind-borne sand and dust, sunglasses (even graduated instead of contact lenses), a jacket and a sweater for the evening, desert boots or sandals.
- In summer: bring light, tropics-friendly clothes, a light sweatshirt, a light raincoat (or umbrella) for the rain showers.
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