The climate in Mauritania

Climate zone: tropics

It is warm to hot all year round, inviting bathing at average water temperatures of 22 degrees. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is Gorgol. The coldest is Dakhlet Nouadhibou.

Temperature records of the last 74 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1949 to January 2023 was reported by the Akjoujt weather station. In July 2002, the record temperature of 48.2 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 13 weather stations in Mauritania , was recorded in 2006 with an average temperature of 32.1 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 30.3 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 38.6 °C.

The coldest day in these 74 years was reported by the Ayoun el Atrouss weather station. Here the temperature dropped to 2.3 °C in September 2009. Ayoun el Atrouss lies at an altitude of 290 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 2018 with an average temperature of 19.4 °C. In Mauritania, it is usual to have about 3.8 degrees more at 23.2 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in October 2007. With 322.5 mm per day, the Boutilimit 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 Kiffa. The driest region is near Nouadhibou.

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.