The climate of Libreville
Sitting on the west coast of central Africa,
Libreville, the capital of
Gabon, experiences a Tropical monsoon climate, classified as 'Am' under the Köppen climate classification system. The city's climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures year-round alongside considerable humidity levels and generous rainfall.
The average high temperatures scarcely fall below 26.5°C (79.7°F), usually varying from 26.5°C (79.7°F) to 30.1°C (86.2°F) throughout the year. Monthly low temperatures, similarly, demonstrate little fluctuation, presenting values from 22.5°C (72.5°F) to 25.3°C (77.5°F). The consistent oceanic influence contributes considerably to the city's steady temperatures.
This coastal city sees precipitation throughout the year, giving Libreville an abundant rainfall pattern. Monthly rainfall ranges between 9mm (0.35") in
July and an astounding 226mm (8.9") in
November, showcasing the city's definite wet season. Notably, while November may have the highest rainfall quantity, it is the month of
December that generally has the greatest number of rainy days, reaching to almost 30 days on average.
Humidity too, finds little change over the months, maintaining a fairly high level, between 81% and 86%, reflecting the climatic conditions typical to a Tropical monsoon climate. With relative humidity and rainfall both being high, there is an ubiquitous presence of clouds over Libreville, accounting for a 42% to 74% cloud cover throughout the year.
The best time to visit Libreville
Despite the year-round rain,
Libreville remains attractive to visitors during its relatively drier period - approximately from
June to
September. This period sees the least rainfall, with precipitation plunging to as low as 9mm (0.35") in
July and the number of rainy days restricted to approximately 8. Visitors during this time can expect lower humidity levels, between 81% and 83%, compared to the rest of the year.
The worst time to visit Libreville
Travelling to the tropical city should be avoided during its wettest months - typically
November and
December. The city records its maximum rainfall of 226mm (8.9") in November and highest number of rainy days, nearly 30, in December. The humidity levels also peak during these months, reaching to an intense 86%.
Spring weather in Libreville
Libreville's spring months, which span from
March to
May, offer warmth and humidity, with high and low temperatures ranging from 29.8°C (85.6°F) to 30.1°C (86.2°F) and 24.7°C (76.5°F) to 25.3°C (77.5°F) respectively. These months witness significant rainfall, averaging between 154mm (6.06") and 173mm (6.81"). The humidity levels in Libreville during spring range between 81% to 85% while the UV Index stays at a constant 7.
Summer weather in Libreville
The summer, reaching in from
June through
August, experiences stable temperatures, with highs and lows ranging from 26.5°C (79.7°F) and 28.9°C (84°F) and 22.5°C (72.5°F) to 23.3°C (73.9°F) respectively. These months see a drastic drop in rainfall, with figures reaching their yearly low between 9mm (0.35") and 44mm (1.73").
Autumn weather in Libreville
Libreville endures a substantial rainfall during the autumn months of
September through
November, gradually increasing from 76mm (2.99") to 226mm (8.9"). Concurrently, temperatures remain essentially stable, varying from highs between 27.8°C (82°F) to 28.1°C (82.6°F) and lows between 23.5°C (74.3°F) to 24.1°C (75.4°F).
Winter weather in Libreville
Winter in
Libreville, spreading from
December to
February, provides warmer climates compared to most cities, with average high temperatures varying from 28.6°C (83.5°F) to 29.7°C (85.5°F) and lows typically falling between 24.5°C (76.1°F) and 25.2°C (77.4°F). These months also observe a decline in rainfall compared to the preceding autumn months, averaging from 121mm (4.76") to 163mm (6.42"). This period presents humidity between 81% and 83%. Despite being winter, one can expect decent sunshine hours, averaging around 8.2 to 8.3 hours per day.
Weather in January
Climate conditions in
January in
Libreville,
Gabon, are characterized by warm, humid weather. Relative humidity values indicate a prevailing humid condition, with the region seeing a fair amount of rainfall at 121mm (4.76"). Compared to the upcoming
February, January experiences slightly lesser rainfall and marginally lower temperature ranges.
Weather in January »Weather in February
February in
Libreville ushers in even more rainfall than
January, with overcast conditions being a frequent occurrence. The temperature range displays a slight rise, making February slightly warmer than the preceding month. However, this change is not particularly significant and the ambiance retains its warm and moist character.
Weather in February » Weather in March
Weather in
March continues the trend of rising precipitation seen in the early months of the year. Despite the overall increase in rainfall, it is not accompanied by a significant drop in sunshine hours, attesting to
Libreville's tropical climate.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
In
April,
Libreville's climatic temperament witnesses moderate rainfall with a high of 173mm (6.81"). Compared to
March, the number of rainy days decreases, but the volume of rainfall observes an increase. Concurrently, maximum wind speed registers a slight decrease.
Weather in April »Weather in May
The characteristic tropical charm of
Libreville peaks in
May, notwithstanding a drop in sea temperatures. Compared to the preceding months, May sees a significant decline in rainfall, heralding the dawn of the dry season. In comparison to
April, the velocity of the wind increases making the city feel cooler.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June shapes out to be a less rainy month than
May in
Libreville, typically marking the onset of the dry season. In comparison to May, the wind speed accelerates, providing a refreshing respite from the seasonal heat. There is a noticeable decrease in sea temperature.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Libreville in
July experiences the fewest number of rainy days at 8.3 days. This dry spell is further reinforced by a noteworthy decline in sea temperatures compared to
June. Wind gust speeds reach their peak for the year, resulting in an overall cooler climate.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August displays similar weather patterns as
July in
Libreville. Though the region sees the smallest amount of rainfall at 15mm (0.59"), the number of rainy days observes a slight uptick. Wind speeds stabilize, setting the ambiance for uniformly breezy days.
Weather in August » Weather in September
As the
Libreville steps into
September, it encounters a marked increase in rainfall compared to the preceding dry months. Despite the rise in precipitation, it falls well short of the earlier months of the year. Wind speeds decrease compared to
August with gear down to an annual low.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
Libreville in
October experiences an exponential jump in precipitation, which is significantly higher than
September. This month also witnesses the year's highest number of rainy days. Despite the higher rainfall, wind speeds remain relatively constant compared to its predecessor month.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Libreville continues the trend set by
October, with rainfall peaking at 226mm (8.9"). However, the number of rainy days marginally dwindles compared to the previous month. The conditions of the sea continue to be constant, favoring an array of maritime activities.
Weather in November » Weather in December
As
December rolls in,
Libreville sees a drop in rainfall in comparison to the exceedingly precipitous
November. Although the year ends on a wet note, the amount and frequency of rainfall both exhibit a decrease. The winds slow down too, following the decreasing trend in precipitation.
Weather in December » [Resources]