Sierra Leone Climate

Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season starts in May and ends in November and is characterized by torrential rainfalls and high humidity. The dry season starts in December and ends in April, which includes harmattan, when cool, dry winds blow in off the Sahara Desert. Rainfall is highest in the coastal areas with annual downpour above 3500 mm and can be torrential during the months of July, August and September. Freetown receives the highest rainfall due to the proximity of the peninsula mountains. There is little variation in temperature throughout the year. However, it is cooler in the mountains of the northeast.

The average temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F) and varies from around 26 °C (78.8 °F) to 36 °C (96.8 °F) during the year, with night-time temperatures as low as 16 °C (60.8 °F).

Summary Statistics

Climate Variables	1991–2020
Mean Annual Temperature (°C)	26.54 °C
Mean Annual Precipitation (mm)	2477.29 mm
Mean Maximum Annual Temperature (°C)	31.67 °C
Mean Minimum Annual Temperature (°C)	21.46 °C

Source World Bank Group, Climate Change Knowledge Portal

Source World Bank Group, Climate Change Knowledge Portal Data is not intended for commercial purposes