Country guides Africa
Climate in Mali
Mali's climate is hot and dry in the northern Sahara zone, north of the Niger River, and hot and humid in the subtropical south of the country. Rainfall varies throughout the country, varying from a virtual absence of rain in the desert north to a rainy season lasting for about five months from June to October in the south. The middle section of the country experiences rainfall between June and August. The dry season is from November to May, with cooler temperatures between November and February that becomes cold at night in the north. The most uncomfortable time to visit is from April to June, with extreme heat, and in December when the hot, dry Harmattan wind blows. Temperatures average 86F (30C).