Information:
 The
Gambia's climate is a sub-tropical climate with two variations
of distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season generally starts
in October and ends around mid-June each year. The best time of
the year to go on holiday to Gambia is between early November
to early April, when the beaches
are a lot more pleasant for sunbathing.
 Fanned
by the north-east trade winds the average daytime temperature
along the Atlantic beach hotel resorts
is 24 Centigrade / 75.2 Fahrenheit. The average daytime temperature
for the whole country is 32°C / 91°F.
In the evenings the temperature drops to around 16°C / 60°F. Along
the western part of the country, known as he Kombos,
temperatures are moderated by Atlantic Ocean with less seasonal
and daily variability in daytime temperatures. There are about
9 hours of sunshine everyday with virtually clear skies during
the dry spell.
 Between
January to May the humidity level is at 50-60%. This period is
characterised by several phases. The first half of this period
is generally cool and dry and the early stages can sometimes be
marked by cloudy days but no rain and there is considerable cooling
off in the evening. The second half is marked by very cool, dry
winds in the evenings and warm sunny days on the coast
and at the capital.
 Up-country,
between February and May, the climate is characterised by the
so called Harmattan where the air is very dry, dusty winds add
a haze to the atmosphere making visibility difficult (50m.) and
puts a blanket of fine dust particles (from the Sahara and Sahel)
over the land. This lasts for around one or two weeks at a time.
The other distinct climatic season is the rainy season, known
locally as "Nawet", which is caused by the summer heat
causing the air in the Sahara to rise thus creating an area of
low pressure which encourages monsoons as it meets with the north
east trade winds coming of the Atlantic Ocean in an inter-tropical
front. Fog can occur off the coast when the relatively warm Guinea
stream meets the cooler Canary current. This rainy period starts
around the middle of June and ends around the middle of October
with August being the wettest month of the year. Relative humidity
levels can rise to 95% and temperatures can reach a skin tingling
43 Celsius / 109.4 Fahrenheit.
 The
annual precipitation in most parts of the country is around 51
inches (1,296 Millimetres) and sunny periods occur on most days.
The storms are very often short and spectacular as huge volumes
of rain descend on the land transforming from brown parched patches
to a to a rich green landscape of foliage. Normally the cloudbursts
occur during the night time and when they occur during the day
they are short-lived leaving clear blue skies. For birdwatchers
and anglers this is the best time to come and visit Gambia as
the land and wildlife burst into life.
Be Prepared on Your Holiday:
Because of the rainy conditions at this time of the year it also
becomes the malaria season as mosquito populations run rampant
and it is advisable to rub some insect repellent particularly
during the hours of dusk. The high humidity in August and September
causes the atmosphere to feel unbearably sticky so when on your
travel excursions drink plenty of
water.
What to wear on Vacation:
 Because
of the hot climate the best clothes to bring along to Gambia
are casual and loose fitting, preferably cotton shorts and
T-shirts for more comfort. A hat is also recommended as
protection against the scorching afternoon sun. During the
winter months the evenings can sometimes be quite cool and
breezy, so a sweater or jacket may be useful.
See also 
Dress
code
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Average Mean Conditions: |
| Temperature average |
24°C / 75°F |
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| Day temperatures |
32°C / 89°F |
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| Night temperatures |
16°C / 61°F |
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| Sunlight hours |
8.41 |
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| Daytime humidity |
84% |
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| Wind speed |
5.77 mph |
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| Barometer air pressure |
29.8 |
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| Rainfall per annum |
1,296 millimetres |
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Monitoring Base: |
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Geographical
coordinates |
Longitude: 16.63
W
Latitude: 13.20 N |
See also Climate
Charts Weather 
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