The climate of Kidal
Located in the desert terrain of
Mali,
Kidal's weather conditions are typical of a BWh or Subtropical desert climate as per the Köppen climate classification. With very minimal rainfall all year round and extremely high temperatures experienced throughout the year, Kidal's weather is majorly defined by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong gusty winds. The town experiences a significant fluctuation in daytime and nighttime temperatures.
The monthly average temperature in Kidal ranges from 13.8°C (56.8°F) to 42.4°C (108.3°F). The warmest month is
June with an average high of 42.4°C (108.3°F), while the coldest months are
December and
January with minimum temperatures of 13.8°C (56.8°F) and 16.3°C (61.3°F) respectively. The amount of rain in Kidal varies a lot over the year. Its driest months are December, January, and
February with close to no rainfall at all. The highest rainfall is recorded in the months of
July and
August, ranging from 17mm (0.67") to 19mm (0.75").
Humidity in Kidal is relatively low all year long. The maximum humidity of 30% is recorded in August, while the lowest of 10% is observed in
April. Kidal's winds are quite gusty throughout the year with speeds ranging from 12.5km/h (7.8mph) to 16.3km/h (10.1mph).
The best time to visit Kidal
The ideal time for travel to
Kidal is between
November through
February. During this time, the temperature falls to around 28.7°C (83.7°F) to 33.3°C (91.9°F) making it comfortably warm for exploration. Furthermore, relative humidity during these months is pretty low, hovering around 18% which provides a dry and comfortable environment.
The worst time to visit Kidal
The months from
June to
August could be a difficult time to visit
Kidal due to the extremely high temperatures which reach up to 42.4°C (108.3°F) coupled with high humidity levels of up to 30%. Moreover, this is the duration when Kidal receives the highest amount of rainfall, contributing to making the weather muggy and uncomfortable.
Spring weather in Kidal
Throughout spring, temperatures in
Kidal start to gradually climb, starting from an average low of 20°C (68°F) in
March to reaching the high of 39.3°C (102.7°F) in
May. Rainfall during these months is relatively low, with a maximum of just 2mm (0.08") precipitation recorded in May. This is paired with relative humidity levels being fairly low at around 13% in May.
Summer weather in Kidal
During summer in
Kidal, temperatures reach extremes. In
June, temperatures escalate up to 42.4°C (108.3°F) and do not fall below 30.8°C (87.4°F) even at night. This is accompanied by relatively high humidity levels ranging between 25 and 30%. Rainfall during summer is significantly higher in comparison to rest of the year, with up to 19mm (0.75") precipitation in
August.
Autumn weather in Kidal
Autumn is another highly variable season in
Kidal, with a downward pattern in temperature from 39.3°C (102.7°F) in
September to 33.3°C (91.9°F) in
November. Rainfall drops well below the summer levels and the dry conditions return. Consistently, the humidity level falls off rapidly from 30% in September to 16% in November.
Winter weather in Kidal
Winter in
Kidal witnesses comfortable temperatures with highs reaching up to 28.7°C (83.7°F) in
December. This is coupled with very low humidity levels of around 18% and practically no rainfall. Wind speeds increase to about 16.3km/h (10.1mph) during the winter months providing the much-needed relief from the otherwise hot climate of Kidal. Winter, therefore, provides a rather significant contrast to the hot and dry conditions observed during most of the year.
Weather in January
January in
Kidal,
Mali is characterized by its cool temperatures and dry conditions. The drop in temperature from night, with 13.8°C (56.8°F), to day, reaching 27.9°C (82.2°F), creates a discernible difference in the climate during this month.
Weather in January » Weather in February
The weather trend seen in
January continues into
February, but with a slight rise in most parameters. Temperatures show an upward shift in February, the highest seen since the start of the year, reaching up to 31.7°C (89.1°F).
Weather in February »Weather in March
March marks another incremental escalation in temperatures and sun intensity, following the trend seen thus far. The apex for this month stands noticeably at 35.8°C (96.4°F), marking the successive escalation in warmth. Aside from the burgeoning heat,
Kidal experiences the beginning of moderate rainfall levels with an average rainfall measurement of 1mm (0.04").
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April introduces the high-heat season for
Kidal,
Mali, with average temperatures escalating rapidly compared to the preceding months. Surpassing previous months, temperatures reach a high of 39.3°C (102.7°F) in April. Outdoor activities might become rare, considering the increased heat coupled with the sustained absence of significant rainfall.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May brings about a test of endurance for
Kidal residents as the city embraces its hottest month of the year. The thermal maximum during May ascends steeply to a scorching 41.8°C (107.2°F). This unnerving peak of heat has a profound impact on the local climate.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Kidal,
Mali offers little respite from the preceding month's heat. The key feature is the temperature's sustained peak of over 42.4°C (108.3°F). Yet, contrary to
May, a slight increase in rainfall can be observed, though not significant enough to alleviate the heat.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July maintains the trend of high temperatures while introducing a perceptible rise in rainfall. The limiting factor in this month can be traced back to the rainfall level that escalates to 17mm (0.67"), the highest for the year. The marked change in rainfall rut offers some relief from the prolonged dry spell seen in the preceding months.
Weather in July » Weather in August
Kidal's transition into a less extreme hot period is marked by
August's weather. The paramount feature of this shift is the rise in rainfall to an annual maximum of 19mm (0.75"). Even so, the reduction in temperature from
July's highs is incremental at best.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September represents a transition in
Kidal's climatology with a shift towards relatively cooler temperatures. However, temperature peaks at 39.6°C (103.3°F), reminding residents of the persistent desert weather conditions. The levels of rainfall recede from the highs of
August, creating a blend of late summer and early fall conditions.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October brings a subtle decline in temperature reflecting the approach of winter. The weather is characterized by a prominent decrease in rainfall coupled with also decreasing temperature, which culminates at 37.7°C (99.9°F).
Weather in October » Weather in November
In
November, the weather undergoes a drastic change as
Kidal inches towards its winter season. A significant reduction in the monthly high temperature, which declines to 33.3°C (91.9°F), turns November into a relatively cool month.
Weather in November »Weather in December
The year rounds up with
December bearing the hallmark of winter. Temperature variations become even more apparent, dropping to a winter low of 15.5°C (59.9°F) at night, offering a noticeable change from the hotter months. The light average rainfall and decreased hours of daylight indicate the prevailing winter conditions.
Weather in December » [Resources]