Climate Insights for Bamako

The climate in Bamako is hot. The average annual temperature is 28°C and approximately 885mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 276mm of rainfall. Bamako is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: April, March, May. The coldest months are January, December, November, when temperatures can drop to 18°C.

Temperatures in Bamako vary considerably across the year, with a 21°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. April is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 39°C and an average of 33°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 18°C and an average of 25°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between February and March, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Bamako is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 885mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 74mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 276mm of rainfall. July and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 0mm. That's 276mm 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.

Bamako is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 3km/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 3km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in September, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently spring in Bamako, which began on March 20, 2026. Bamako 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 April at around 39°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 18°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 4 days from now.

The best time to visit Bamako is during January, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 25°C with modest rainfall averaging 3mm per month. By contrast, April can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 39°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Bamako 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.