The climate of Sassandra
Sassandra, located in the
Ivory Coast, experiences a tropical wet and dry climate or savanna type of weather according to the Köppen climate classification. The town, nestled on the west coast of Africa, grapples with weather trends characterized by moderate to high temperatures and significant amounts of rainfall.
The annual temperature fluctuation in Sassandra shows a mildly varying pattern. The maximum temperature throughout the year ranges from 26.5°C (79.7°F) to 31°C (87.8°F), with the highest temperatures typically observed in
March. Conversely, the minimum temperatures have a narrower spread from 22°C (71.6°F) to 23.4°C (74.1°F). It's noteworthy to mention that the variations in maximum and minimum temperatures are not as pronounced as in other climate regions, indicating the influence of the tropical climate.
Rainfall in Sassandra is usually abundant, but its distribution throughout the year is uneven. The rainfall volume ranges from a modest 16mm (0.63") in
January to a hefty 529mm (20.83") in
June. The second quarter of the year, from
April to June, monitors the maximum precipitation, making it the wettest period.
Another significant metric is the hours of daylight and sunshine, which are relatively consistent due to its geographical location near the equator. Daylight hours hover around the 12-hour mark throughout the year, only varying between 11.8 hours to 12.4 hours. Sunshine hours oscillate lightly from 3.7 hours in June to 7.5 hours in
November, which introduces a bit more variance into the equation.
The best time to visit Sassandra
Contemplating a trip to
Sassandra should consider the town's wet and dry periods. The optimal time to plan a trip is from
November to
March. During this phase, the locale experiences lower instances of rainfall, falling between 16mm (0.63") and 120mm (4.72"), and higher sunshine hours, from 6.7 hours to 7.5 hours. In addition, sea temperatures are inviting, spinning a comfortable range from 26.3°C (79.3°F) to 28.4°C (83.1°F).
The worst time to visit Sassandra
Contrarily, the less favourable period to visit
Sassandra would be the second quarter of the year. Specifically, the month of
June receives exorbitant amounts of rainfall, peaking at 529mm (20.83"), and experiences the lowest sunshine duration, dropping to 3.7 hours. Sea temperatures during this period are cooler, descending to 26°C (78.8°F) in
July. Consequently, the high precipitation levels and decreased sunshine hours can limit outdoor activities and beach visits.
Spring weather in Sassandra
The spring season in
Sassandra, taking into account the months of
March,
April and
May, brings about a mixed bag of weather conditions. Temperatures remain fairly stable, with the maximum temperatures ranging from 29.8°C (85.6°F) to 31°C (87.8°F) and the minimum from 22.3°C (72.1°F) to 23.4°C (74.1°F). Rainfall undergoes a significant escalation from 53mm (2.09") in March to 235mm (9.25") in May, indicating the onset of the rainy season.
Summer weather in Sassandra
Summer in
Sassandra, spanning
June to
August, bears witness to the wettest phase of the year. Rainfall reaches its pinnacle in June at 529mm (20.83") then dips to 191mm (7.52") by August. Concurrently, sunshine hours reflect a downtrend from 3.7 hours to 4.2 hours. The sea temperature experiences a decline, shifting from 27.8°C (82°F) to 24.6°C (76.3°F).
Autumn weather in Sassandra
Autumn in
Sassandra sees a gradual return to drier conditions. From
September through
November, temperatures maintain a narrow window, with maximums from 27.5°C (81.5°F) to 29.6°C (85.3°F) and minimums from 22°C (71.6°F) to 22.8°C (73°F). As the dry season sets in, rainfall drops from 44mm (1.73") to 120mm (4.72") whereas sunshine hours make a leap back up to 7.5 hours in November.
Winter weather in Sassandra
Winter months in
Sassandra, namely
December to
February, proffer the driest part of the year. During this period, rainfall drops to its lowest mark at 16mm (0.63") in
January and then climbs gradually to 36mm (1.42") in February. Temperatures remain stable, with maximums oscillating from 28.5°C (83.3°F) to 30.1°C (86.2°F) and minimums between 22.3°C (72.1°F) to 23°C (73.4°F). The sea registers a higher temperature, reaching up to 28.4°C (83.1°F) in February, making beach visits more enticing.
Weather in January
The start of the year in
Sassandra,
Ivory Coast greets residents with a balmy climate, as temperatures hover between 22.3°C (72.1°F) and 30.1°C (86.2°F). This period presents primarily fair and pleasant weather conditions. Comparatively, the
January climate is slightly cooler than the weather observed in the following month.
Weather in January »Weather in February
In
February, weather patterns show a slight increase in both temperature and precipitation levels compared to
January. The sea also starts to warm up a bit compared to the previous month, signaling an upcoming change in seasons.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March brings about noticeable shifts in
Sassandra's weather patterns - becoming warmer and wetter. The 53mm (2.09") rainfall recorded during this month indicates a significant increase from the previous month. This is also the start of a continuous pattern of increasing daylight hours, indicating the onset of the longer days of summer.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Sassandra boasts weather conditions that are characteristic of the tropical climate in
Ivory Coast. Interestingly, this month registers a significant rise in rainfall with 97mm (3.82"), almost doubling from
March, which merits carrying an umbrella or raincoat when out and about.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May marks the commencement of the rainy season in
Sassandra with rainfall levels peaking at 235mm (9.25"), which is more than double the volume registered in
April. The conditions during May prove particularly distinctive as the sea temperatures remain steady, unlike the terrestrial temperatures which experience a minor decrease.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June presents the maximum annual rainfall 529mm (20.83"), a drastic surge from
May, making it the wettest month in the city of
Sassandra. The terrestrial temperatures and sea temperatures both dip from last month, providing a bit of a contrast to the persistent rains.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
In
July, rainfall drops almost by a half to 191mm (7.52") from the previous month, indicating the beginning of a steady decline. The sea continues to cool down while sunshine hours increase again, reaching the annual maximum and filling the city with a renewed energy.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August carries on the trend of reducing rainfall as the wet season starts to wind down in
Sassandra, with precipitation standing at 32mm (1.26"). A noticeable dip in temperature occurs, offering residents a slight reprieve from the higher temperatures experienced during the earlier months.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September sees a continuation of the declining rainfall trend with a total of 44mm (1.73"), as the drier season progresses in
Sassandra. Despite slight fluctuations in both temperature and sea levels, Sassandra's atmosphere remains predominantly tropical.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
The transition from the wetter to the drier season becomes more evident in
October, with minimal rainfall levels of 85mm (3.35") and increased daylight hours. As temperatures slightly rise from last month,
Sassandra enjoys long, warm days characteristic of this time of the year.
Weather in October »Weather in November
In
November, rainfall continues to decline with 120mm (4.72") recorded, a clear indication of a departure from the wet season in
Sassandra. The weather is distinguished by a mild increase in both terrestrial and sea temperatures, paving the way for the hot and dry season.
Weather in November »Weather in December
The last month of the year,
December, continues to uphold the charm of
Sassandra's weather with lower rainfall levels at 73mm (2.87") which is a significant reduction from the previous month. This period also carries the distinction of being slightly cooler but not as much as the beginning of the year.
Weather in December »