Climate Insights for Dakar

The climate in Dakar is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 24°C and approximately 333mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 166mm of rainfall. Dakar is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: October, September, August. The coldest months are March, April, February, when temperatures can drop to 20°C.

Dakar has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 8°C range. The warmest month is October, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 28°C. March is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 20°C and an average of 20°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 1°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.

Dakar is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 333mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 28mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 166mm of rainfall. September and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 0mm. That's 166mm less than August, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Dakar is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 25km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 29km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in September, with average winds dropping to 21km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 8km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 28km/h in winter, 28km/h in spring, 22km/h in summer, 22km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Dakar, which began on March 20, 2026. Dakar is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in October at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in March near 20°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Dakar is during January, February, March, April, May, June and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 22°C with modest rainfall averaging 1mm per month. By contrast, October can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 28°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Dakar based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.