GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

Climatological Information

Month Mean Temperature oC Mean Total Precipitation (mm) Mean Number of Precipitation Days Daily Minimum Daily Maximum Jan 23.8 30.8 9.2 1.0 Feb 25.4 31.6 36.8 2.0 Mar 25.9 31.9 73.8 4.0 Apr 25.6 31.6 137.0 7.0 May 24.6 31.0 196.9 11.0 Jun 23.7 29.2 356.0 15.0 Jul 23.7 28.0 147.0 8.0 Aug 23.4 27.8 64.9 5.0 Sep 23.6 28.4 99.0 8.0 Oct 23.8 29.6 126.7 8.0 Nov 24.3 30.9 41.4 4.0 Dec 23.8 30.8 19.6 2.0 Benin's climate is hot and humid. Annual rainfall in the coastal area averages 1,360 mm (53.5 in), not particularly high for coastal West Africa. Benin has two rainy and two dry seasons. The principal rainy season is from April to late July, with a shorter less intense rainy period from late September to November. The main dry season is from December to April, with a short cooler dry season from late July to early September. Temperatures and humidity are high along the tropical coast. In Cotonou, the average maximum temperature is 31 °C (87.8 °F); the minimum is 24 °C (75.2 °F). Variations in temperature increase when moving north through a savanna and plateau toward the Sahel. A dry wind from the Sahara called the harmattan blows from December to March. Grass dries up, the vegetation turns reddish brown, and a veil of fine dust hangs over the country, causing the skies to be overcast. It is also the season when farmers burn brush in the fields.

NOTE: The information regarding Benin on this page is re-published from Wikipedia and World Meteorological Organization. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Benin Climate 2011 information contained here.