Climate and monthly weather forecast
Nigeria

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The climate of Nigeria

Located in West Africa, Nigeria boasts a vast geographical landscape that comprises a blend of tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, expansive savannas, and desert. The country's climatic conditions vary greatly across its regions due to its diverse geography and its location near the equator. The Köppen climate classification of Nigeria incorporates a warm desert climate (BWh), warm semi-arid climate (BSh), monsoon climate (Am), and tropical savanna climate (Aw), with each carrying distinctive features, resulting in a blend of climate conditions throughout the year.

While regions with a warm desert climate, such as the far northern parts of Nigeria, experience hot and dry weather with little rainfall, areas with a warm semi-arid climate, including parts of northern and central Nigeria, see slightly more rain but still retain warm temperatures. Coastal areas, particularly in the south, exhibit a monsoon climate marked by heavy seasonal rains and consistently warm temperatures. The remainder of Nigeria, primarily the central and southern parts, experiences a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.

The Best Time to Visit Nigeria

The best time to visit Nigeria depends largely on the specific region and the activities one plans to engage in. However, a general recommendation is the dry season, running from November to February. During this period, temperatures in the northern and central regions range between 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F), making it a comfortable time for outdoor activities such as wildlife viewing in Nigeria's national parks. In the coastal regions, the weather is slightly cooler with temperatures hovering around 25°C (77°F), ideal for beach and marine activities. The dry season also sees less occurrence of malaria, a common risk in tropical countries.

The Worst Time to Visit Nigeria

The peak of the rainy season, typically between July to September, is considered the worst time to visit Nigeria, particularly for outdoor activities. Rainfall can be intense and continuous, especially in the southern and coastal regions. Flooding is not uncommon during this time, potentially leading to disruptions in travel. In the north, temperatures can reach up to 40°C (104°F), with occasional rainfall that does little to cool the surroundings, making it less conducive for travel.

Spring Weather in Nigeria

Nigeria's geographic location on the equator means it does not experience the typical four-season cycle. However, from March to May, a period analogous to spring in temperate regions, Nigeria transitions from the harmattan (dry) season to the rainy season. During this time, the southern regions receive substantial rainfall, with average temperatures ranging from 28°C (82.4°F) to 33°C (91.4°F). In the northern regions, temperatures can be considerably hotter, varying from 30°C (86°F) to 40°C (104°F), with sporadic rainfall becoming more frequent towards the end of May.

Summer Weather in Nigeria

Nigeria's 'summer' period, from June to August, aligns with the peak of the rainy season. The south, characterized by a monsoon climate, experiences heavy rainfall, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 28°C (82.4°F). In the central and northern regions, temperatures fluctuate between 30°C (86°F) to 40°C (104°F). Despite being the rainy season, the rainfall in these regions is less compared to the south, and there are still many days of intense heat.

Autumn Weather in Nigeria

Autumn, as understood in temperate regions, does not distinctly occur in Nigeria. The period from September to November sees a gradual transition from the rainy season to the harmattan season. Across the country, rainfall decreases with the progression of these months. Temperatures in the southern regions range from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F), while the northern parts continue to experience high temperatures, from 30°C (86°F) to 40°C (104°F), with the heat gradually subsiding towards the end of November.

Winter Weather in Nigeria

Nigeria does not experience a traditional winter due to its tropical location. The closest equivalent is the harmattan season, from December to February. During this time, dry and dusty winds blow from the Sahara Desert, causing a significant drop in humidity. In the southern regions, temperatures vary between 20°C (68°F) to 28°C (82.4°F), while in the northern parts, temperatures can vary from 17°C (62.6°F) to 25°C (77°F), making it the coolest period of the year in Nigeria.

Weather in January

January is characterized by the harmattan season across Nigeria, with the entire country experiencing dry and relatively cool conditions. The southern regions, which include notable cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, witness temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F) during the day, dropping to 20°C (68°F) at night. Weather in January »

Weather in February

February in Nigeria signifies the end of the harmattan season and the transition towards the hot dry season. The weather conditions in this month are warmer compared to January, yet still relatively cooler than the forthcoming months. In southern cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, the daytime temperatures vary from 28°C (82.4°F) to 32°C (89.6°F). Weather in February »

Weather in March

March in Nigeria is the beginning of the hot dry season and is characterized by significant increases in temperature across the country. As the month progresses, the dry harmattan winds recede, and humidity starts to rise, particularly in the southern regions. In southern cities, including Lagos and Port Harcourt, March sees average daytime temperatures from 30°C (86°F) to 34°C (93.2°F), marking a noticeable increase from February. Weather in March »

Weather in April

April in Nigeria marks the peak of the hot dry season and is generally considered the hottest month of the year. It also signifies the beginning of the rainy season in the southern parts of the country. In the southern cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt, daytime temperatures in April typically range from 30°C (86°F) to 34°C (93.2°F). Weather in April »

Weather in May

May signifies a transitional period in Nigeria's weather conditions. While the southern parts of the country are well into the rainy season, the northern regions begin to experience the onset of rains. In southern cities, including Lagos and Port Harcourt, May sees significant rainfall. Weather in May »

Weather in June

June marks the full onset of the rainy season across Nigeria, with substantial precipitation expected in both the southern and northern regions of the country. In southern cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, June brings heavy rains, with the average monthly precipitation typically reaching up to 200mm (7.87"). Weather in June »

Weather in July

July continues the rainy season across Nigeria, with the intensity of precipitation varying between the northern and southern regions. In southern cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, July sees a slight decrease in rainfall compared to June, though precipitation levels remain high. Weather in July »

Weather in August

August in Nigeria marks a brief respite in the rainy season for the southern regions, often referred to as the "August break". In contrast, the northern regions continue to experience significant rainfall. In the southern cities, such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, the "August break" brings about a reduction in rainfall and a slight increase in temperatures. Weather in August »

Weather in September

September in Nigeria signifies a shift in weather conditions across the country. The southern regions see the end of the "August break" and the resumption of the rainy season, while the northern regions start transitioning towards the dry season. In the southern cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt, September brings an increase in rainfall compared to August, marking the end of the brief dry spell. Weather in September »

Weather in October

October in Nigeria marks the transition towards the end of the rainy season in the southern regions, while the northern regions continue their shift into the dry season. In the southern cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt, October sees a decrease in rainfall as the rainy season draws to a close. Weather in October »

Weather in November

November in Nigeria marks the end of the rainy season in the southern regions and the beginning of the harmattan season in the northern parts of the country. In southern cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, November brings drier conditions as the rainy season officially comes to an end. Weather in November »

Weather in December

December in Nigeria marks the full onset of the dry season in the southern regions and the peak of the harmattan season in the northern parts of the country. In southern cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, December brings dry conditions with negligible rainfall. Weather in December »
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Nigeria

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