The climate of Brikama
Perched on the western flank of
The Gambia,
Brikama enjoys an Aw - Tropical wet and dry or Savannah climate, according to the Köppen climate classification. Predominantly, the climate blends the warm dryness of the savannah with bursts of tropical rainfall, displaying a dynamic weather pattern throughout the year.
Sky-high temperatures rule the year's climate, varying minimally month-to-month. Brikama sees its highest average temperatures in
November, reaching 31.2°C (88.2°F) while cooler temperatures are marked in
May with an average low of 26.5°C (79.7°F). Even in its colder months, the least temperature stays in the twenties, revealing a perennially warm climate.
Another characteristic of note in Brikama's climate landscape is the variance in rainfall levels. The town experiences peak rainfall between
July and
September, with falls escalating from 73mm (2.87") in July to a voluminous 183mm (7.2") in
August then decreasing to a sizable 122mm (4.8") in September. Conversely, from
December to
March, Brikama encounters barely any rainfall, with the index oscillating from zero to 2mm (0.08"). This stark shift implies a well-defined dry season in these months.
The pressure and visibility parameters remain mostly constant throughout the year. Pressure levels hover around 1011.4mb, providing a stable and predictable atmosphere. Similarly, the visibility stays at a maximum of 10km (6.2mi) across all months, allowing excellent viewing conditions for the town's natural beauty.
The best time to visit Brikama
Visitors seeking to experience the best of
Brikama's climate would do well to plan their trip from
November to
February. These are the months when the weather is most pleasantly warm, with average high temperatures settling between 29.8°C (85.6°F) to 30.3°C (86.5°F) and rainfall amounts lessening to zero to 3mm (0.12"). It is also during this period that sunshine duration is near its peak, averaging around 9.6 to 9.8 hours daily, providing generous daylight for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Brikama
From a meteorological standpoint,
August merits consideration as the least enticing time to visit
Brikama. This month faces the brunt of the rainy season, with rainfall levels skyrocketing to a soaking 183mm (7.2") and the number of rainfall days escalating to a hefty 22.8 days; more than two-thirds of the month. Destinations could become harder to reach, and outdoor activities would likely be rained out.
Spring weather in Brikama
The spring period in
Brikama, encapsulating
March,
April, and
May, offers an intriguing blend of weather conditions. Although the temperatures remain consistently high - average highs ranging from 27.6°C (81.7°F) in March to 26.5°C (79.7°F) in May - these months see the inception of the rainy season. Observably, rainfall increases from a negligible 2mm (0.08") in March to a noticeable 5mm (0.2") in May.
Summer weather in Brikama
Summer marks the beginning of
Brikama's wet season. Stretching from
June through
August, this season is characterized by a steady increase in humidity levels, escalating from 77% in June to 80% in August, and a spike in rainfall from 15mm (0.59") in June to an intense 183mm (7.2") in August. Average temperatures, however, fluctuate marginally, oscillating between 27.7°C (81.9°F) to 28.5°C (83.3°F).
Autumn weather in Brikama
As
Brikama transitions into Autumn, spanning
September,
October, and
November, the weather begins to shift from wet to dry. Though there is a substantial 122mm (4.8") of rainfall in September, it tapers significantly to 32mm (1.26") and 3mm (0.12") in October and November respectively. Temperatures remain warm, gradually rising from 26.5°C (79.7°F) in September to 30.3°C (86.5°F) in November.
Winter weather in Brikama
The winter season in
Brikama -
December,
January, and
February - is characterized by dry conditions. Rainfall is almost non-existent during these months, measuring from zero in December and February to a slight 2mm (0.08") in January. Temperatures are tolerably warm, averaging from 29.8°C (85.6°F) to 28.5°C (83.3°F). Relatively low humidity levels (ranging from 44% to 48%) make these months comfortable for tourists.
Weather in January
January in
Brikama,
The Gambia is characterized by relatively cooler temperatures, with highs reaching up to 28.5°C (83.3°F) and lows averaging 22.5°C (72.5°F). The humidity levels start to elevate, preparing the city for the approaching rain season.
Weather in January » Weather in February
February's weather conditions see a slight decrease in temperature compared to
January but remain largely stable in
Brikama. The city enjoys a relatively dry and slightly cooler month compared to what lies ahead in the wet season.
Weather in February » Weather in March
In
March,
Brikama begins to brace for the transition towards a wetter climate as the first signs of rainfall appear. Despite the increase in rain, the daytime temperatures remain steady, providing perfect conditions for outdoor activities before the impending wet season.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
As
Brikama moves into
April, there is a marked shift in almost all weather aspects. As the amount of rainfall recorded increases, temperatures tend to rise, hinting at the onset of the wet season. The humidity also follows a similar upward trend leading to muggy conditions.
Weather in April »Weather in May
With
May's arrival in
Brikama,
The Gambia, the weather undergoes significant transformations. The first abundant showers of the year occur, increasing the rainfall recorded from 1mm (0.04") in
April to 5mm (0.2") in May. The escalating temperatures and heightened moisture levels contribute to a rise in humidity, reaching its annual zenith.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June signifies the full embrace of the wet season in
Brikama, with a significant uptick in the amount of rainfall received. Simultaneously, the temperatures and relative humidity reach some of their highest levels for the year, combining to create a humid, rainy environment.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Brikama's weather in
July is dominated by heavy rainfall; with an astounding increase from 15mm (0.59") in
June to 73mm (2.87"). Whilst the temperatures remain relatively stable, the high humidity levels combine with the heavy rainfall to create fairly muggy conditions.
Weather in July » Weather in August
In
August,
Brikama,
The Gambia, experiences its peak wet season, marked by the heaviest rainfall of the year at 183mm (7.2"). The city experiences a decrease in overall sunshine hours due to the persistent cloud cover and rainfall.
Weather in August »Weather in September
The weather in
September signals the start of
Brikama's transition out of the wet season. Rainfall decreases significantly from 183mm (7.2") in
August to 122mm (4.8"), offering a much-needed respite. The temperatures, which have been consistent over the preceding months, start to rise ever so slightly.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October ushers in the final phase of the wet season in
Brikama, with all parameters indicating a definitive shift towards drier conditions. Rainfall amounts taper off rapidly, making way for increased sunshine hours as the cloud cover begins to thin.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Brikama marks the advent of the dry season, demonstrated by a sharp drop in rainfall from 32mm (1.26") in
October to a meager 3mm (0.12"). The city enjoys an increase in sunshine hours as the cloud cover continues to dwindle and wind speeds pick up slightly.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Decembers in
Brikama,
The Gambia means the full swing of the dry season with virtually no rainfall. The city basks in the return of sunny days, and longer hours of sunshine. Although temperatures drop slightly from
November,
December remains comfortably warm.
Weather in December » [Resources]