2023 What Is The Climate Like In Ivory Coast: Expert Tell You

The Tropical Climate of Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year except during Harmattan. Temperatures typically vary from 24 to 33 °C (75.2 to 91.4 °F) year-round with very little seasonal variation and average annual rainfall for the country is around 1,650 mm (65 inches). humidity is very high at around 80 to 90 percent.
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ivory coast, tropical forest, coconut leaf — *Photo by* *Scott Webb* / *Unsplash*

The Wet and Dry Seasons in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast experiences two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season.

The wet season starts in April and lasts until July. During this time, heavy rainfall occurs due to the southwestern monsoon winds. Average monthly rainfall during the wet season ranges from 150 to 250 mm. The rain falls mostly in intense afternoon thunderstorms that brings a short period of relief from the high temperatures and humidity. Farming activities mainly take place during this season when fields are sufficiently watered.

The dry season lasts from November to March. During this time, the Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara desert bringing dry and dusty conditions. Monthly rainfall is close to 0 mm and there are long stretches of hot and sunny weather. Harmattan can significantly impact activities as the dusty conditions reduce visibility and pollute the air.

The table below summarizes the wet and dry seasons in Ivory Coast:

Season	Months	Rainfall	Weather
Wet season	April – July	150 – 250 mm	Heavy rain, thunderstorms
Dry season	November – March	Close to 0 mm	Hot, sunny and dusty due to Harmattan wind

Overall, the seasons in Ivory Coast are distinct and significantly impact the activities and life of the population. Farming is timed around the wet season whereas the dry season presents difficulties due to dust and heat.

ivory coast, tropical forest, brown wooden path between trees — *Photo by* *Ben Lockwood* / *Unsplash*

The Influence of the West African Monsoon

The West African monsoon is the dominant climate system that drives the rainfall pattern in Ivory Coast. The monsoonal winds reverse direction seasonally, bringing either wet or dry conditions to the country.

During the wet season from April to July, the southwest monsoon blows humid air from over the Atlantic Ocean towards the coast of West Africa. As this warm and moist air rises over the continent, it cools and condenses creating heavy rainfall. Up to 80% of the annual rainfall in Ivory Coast occurs during this phase of the monsoon.

In comparison, during the dry season from November to March, the monsoon winds reverse and blow from the northeast. This northeast monsoon brings in dry and dusty Harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert. Very little rainfall occurs during this phase.

The impact of the monsoon on rainfall can be seen in the table below:

Monsoon Phase	Season in Ivory Coast	Impact on Rainfall
Southwest monsoon	Wet season (April – July)	Up to 80% of annual rainfall occurs
Northeast monsoon	Dry season (Nov – March)	Very little or no rainfall

Other factors like elevation, vegetation and distance from the ocean also influence the climate in Ivory Coast. However, the reversal of the monsoon winds is the primary driver of the wet and dry seasons in the country. The southwest monsoon brings the wet season while the northeast monsoon ushers in the dry season.

ivory coast, sea, person's right hand underwater — *Photo by* *Cristian Palmer* / *Unsplash*

Exploring the Microclimates of Ivory Coast

While Ivory Coast overall has a tropical climate, there are variations in climate within the country due to differences in elevation, vegetation and distance from the ocean. This gives rise to distinct microclimates.

The coast has a fully tropical climate with very high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Average temperatures along the coast range between 27 to 32 °C (81 to 90 °F). Coastal areas receive the most rainfall from the southwest monsoon winds.

Moving inland and further away from the coast, the climate becomes subtropical. This region experiences slightly lower temperatures and less rainfall compared to the coast. Elevation also increases gradually further inland.

The northern part of Ivory Coast has a semi-arid climate. This region includes the savannah area which receives the least amount of rainfall in the country, between 900 to 1100 mm annually. Temperatures are also higher due to less vegetation cover.

This table summarizes the microclimates in Ivory Coast:

Region	Climate	Temperatures	Rainfall
Coast	Tropical	27 – 32 °C	Highest
Inland	Subtropical	Lower	Less
North	Semi-arid	Higher	Lowest

In summary, Ivory Coast’s climate shows considerable variation from tropical along the coast to semi-arid in the northern savanna region. The main factors influencing the microclimates are changes in elevation, vegetation cover and distance from the ocean.