Travel · Weather · The Gambia

Weather and climate in The Gambia

Published September 27, 2026.

The Gambia has a tropical savanna climate with two main seasons: a long dry season from roughly November to May and a shorter rainy season from about June or July to October, with the heaviest rain usually in August. The coast is tempered by Atlantic breezes, with daytime highs often around 30°C, while inland areas get much hotter — upcountry temperatures can exceed 40°C in the hottest months before the rains.

The Gambia's seasons at a glance

Dry season (about November–May): sunny, almost no rain, lower humidity.
Harmattan (roughly December–February): a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara that brings hazy skies and cooler nights.
Hot season (about March–June): the hottest period, especially inland, as temperatures build before the rains.
Rainy season (about June/July–October): hot and humid, with heavy showers and storms, usually peaking in August.

This guide describes the climate itself. If you want to know when to go for beaches, birding, prices or events, see our best time to visit guide.

The dry season and harmattan

From around November the rains stop and the country dries out quickly. Skies are mostly clear, humidity drops and the coast enjoys warm, sunny days — the reason European winter sun seekers flock here. Between roughly December and February, the harmattan blows dry, dusty air from the Sahara. On heavy dust days the sky turns milky and the sun can look pale, which can dull photographs and irritate eyes, throats and contact lenses. Nights and early mornings in this period can feel surprisingly cool, especially inland and on the river, so a light jumper is useful.

The hot season

From about March, temperatures climb. On the coast the sea breeze keeps things bearable, with highs typically in the low 30s°C, but inland the heat builds strongly. Towns in the east such as Janjanbureh and Basse can see daytime temperatures above 40°C in April and May. If you plan a river trip upcountry at this time, start early, rest in the middle of the day, and drink plenty of water. Humidity rises through May and June as the rainy season approaches.

The rainy season

The rains usually begin in June or July, arriving first as dramatic storms, often at night or in the late afternoon, sometimes preceded by strong squalls. August is normally the wettest month, and rain continues into September and tapers off in October. It rarely rains all day: a typical pattern is a heavy downpour followed by sunshine. The countryside turns lush and green, farmers plant their crops, and birdlife is abundant.

There are downsides: high humidity, mosquitoes (and a higher malaria risk — see health and safety), flooding in low-lying urban areas, and muddy, sometimes impassable rural roads. Some beach hotels and eco-lodges close or run reduced services during the low season.

Where are the wettest parts of The Gambia?

Rainfall generally decreases from the south-west towards the north-east. The wettest part of the country is the western and south-western area — the coast and the West Coast Region, including the Kombos and Foni — which receives the most rain in a typical year. The upper river areas in the east and north, towards the Sahel, are drier, with a shorter rainy season. Annual totals vary a lot from year to year, but as a rough guide, the coast often receives somewhere over 1,000 mm a year, while the eastern end of the country usually gets noticeably less. Rainfall variability, late onset of the rains and dry spells are significant challenges for farmers. The geography guide and regions guide explain the country's layout.

Coast versus inland

Because The Gambia is a long, narrow country stretching more than 300 km inland along the river, its climate changes noticeably from west to east:

The coast (Banjul, Serrekunda, Kololi, Brufut and the south coast) is moderated by the Atlantic. Daytime highs are often around 30°C for much of the year, with cooler nights in the dry season.
Inland and upriver the maritime influence fades. Days are hotter, nights cooler in winter, and the hot season before the rains can be intense.

Sea temperatures

The Atlantic off The Gambia is cooler than many people expect in the dry season. From about January to April the water is usually in the low 20s°C, refreshing rather than warm, partly because of seasonal upwelling of cooler water along the West African coast. It warms through the year and is at its warmest, typically in the upper 20s°C, from around August to October. Swimmers should also watch for strong currents and rip tides on open beaches — see the beaches guide.

Weather by month

The table below is a qualitative guide for the coast, with notes on inland conditions. Actual weather varies from year to year.

Month	Coast	Rain	Inland notes
January	Warm, sunny days; cool evenings	Very dry	Harmattan haze; cold nights by local standards
February	Warm and sunny	Very dry	Warming days, dusty air
March	Warm to hot, breezy	Very dry	Hot days building
April	Hot, still breezy	Very dry	Very hot; can exceed 40°C
May	Hot, humidity rising	Mostly dry	Often the hottest month
June	Hot and humid	First storms possible	Rains may start; still very hot
July	Warm, humid, cloudier	Rainy	Rains established; greening landscape
August	Warm and very humid	Wettest month	Heavy rain; some roads difficult
September	Warm and humid	Rainy	Lush and green; flooding possible
October	Hot and humid, clearing	Rains tailing off	Hot after the rains
November	Warm, sunny, drier air	Mostly dry	Pleasant; landscape drying out
December	Warm days, cool evenings	Very dry	Harmattan begins; cool nights

Climate change and the coast

The Gambia is considered highly vulnerable to climate change. Concerns include coastal erosion along the Atlantic beaches, rising sea levels threatening low-lying Banjul, saltwater moving further up the river and affecting rice fields, and more erratic rainfall. The country has drawn international attention for its climate action plans and investment in solar power — see the renewable energy guide.

What to pack for the weather

Dry season: light cotton or linen clothes, sun hat, high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jumper or jacket for evenings and early river trips.
Harmattan: lip balm, moisturiser, eye drops, and glasses rather than contact lenses if you are sensitive to dust.
Hot season upcountry: breathable clothing that covers your skin, a refillable water bottle and oral rehydration salts.
Rainy season: a light waterproof jacket or umbrella, quick-dry clothes, sandals that can get wet, and strong insect repellent.

For a full list, including modest clothing for villages and mosques, see the packing guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the seasons in The Gambia?

There are two main seasons: a dry season from roughly November to May, including the dusty harmattan period around December to February, and a rainy season from about June or July to October, usually peaking in August.

What is the hottest month in The Gambia?

Inland, April and May are usually the hottest months, when temperatures upcountry can exceed 40°C. On the coast the heat is moderated by sea breezes, with highs often around 30°C.

Which is the wettest part of The Gambia?

The western and south-western part of the country, including the coast and the West Coast Region, usually receives the most rain. Rainfall decreases towards the drier north-east.

When is the rainy season in The Gambia?

The rainy season usually runs from June or July to October, with August typically the wettest month. Rain tends to fall in heavy bursts rather than all day.

How warm is the sea in The Gambia?

The Atlantic is coolest from about January to April, usually in the low 20s°C, and warmest from around August to October, typically in the upper 20s°C.

What is the harmattan?

The harmattan is a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara that blows roughly from December to February, bringing hazy skies, low humidity and cooler nights.