The climate in Mali

Climate zone: tropics

It is warm or hot yearlong. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is Gao. The coldest is Kidal.

Temperature records of the last 74 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1949 to January 2023 was reported by the Kita weather station. In April 2021, the record temperature of 49.8 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 18 weather stations in Mali , was recorded in 1987 with an average temperature of 29.5 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 28.1 degrees Celsius.

The coldest day in these 74 years was reported by the Nara weather station. Here the temperature dropped to 0.9 °C in January 2012. Nara lies at an altitude of 265 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 2012 with an average temperature of 24.9 °C. In Mali, it is usual to have about 2.3 degrees more at 27.2 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in August 1962. With 22.6 mm per day, the Kenieba weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 74 years. Incidentally, the region with the most rainfall for the whole year is around Sikasso. The driest region is near Tombouktou.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level. Thus, if a disproportionate number of weather stations are located in a small area, their number does not affect the national average.