Climate Togo
An African country south of the Sahara, Togo enjoys a tropical climate, generally hot and humid. It has a dry season in winter, and a rainy season, which arrives with the African monsoon, between April and October. However, there are climatic variations depending on whether you are in the north or south of the country. In the northern region, the climate is more Sudanese, characterized by a short rainy season and a long dry season, while in the southern part, it is marked by two rainy seasons that alternate with two dry seasons. Being sheltered from the African monsoon by the orientation of its coastline parallel to the prevailing winds, the coastline experiences very little rainfall, especially between July and September. Temperatures are high all year round, ranging from 28°C in Lomé to 35°C in Dapaong. Here is a look at the seasons that mark the cycle of Togo.
The dry season, an ideal period
From November to March, the dry season progressively settles in the country. During this period, temperatures are high, the atmosphere is humid on the coast, and the sky is partly cloudy, especially when the harmattan blows, a dry and hot wind coming from the Sahara that brings with it sand and dust. It sweeps particularly the northern part of the country, between December and February, and sometimes also a little the maritime coast. However, the dry season is the best time to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the coast, with a water temperature of around 28°C. The months of November and December can also be a good compromise, with low rainfall and pleasant temperatures. In the north, temperatures are higher than on the coast, cooled by the sea breeze. When it is 28°C in Lomé, Dapaong records almost 35°C. However, nights can be cool in the northern part of Togo, with minimum temperatures barely reaching 15°C. There is also a difference in temperature in the Plateaux region, dominated by the Atakora mountain range. In Kpalimé, for example, temperatures during this period are around 21°C. They become much cooler as you go up in altitude. In your luggage, you will need to bring a bathing suit, a towel, sun cream, short clothes, but also a few sweaters, for the chilly nights.
The rainy season, between heat and humidity
With the arrival of the African monsoon, the rainy season arrives in the south of Togo at the end of March and gradually settles in the whole country, up to the north. It is characterized by a humid heat, particularly difficult to bear during this period. The mornings are foggy, and thundery showers often disrupt the end of the day. The country is particularly wet during the winter, especially in the Plateaux region, above 500 m altitude. The northern zone is marked by a shorter rainy season, from May to September, with a peak in July. On the coast, June is the rainiest month, with about 250 mm recorded in Lomé during this period. However, this area experiences very little rainfall between July and mid-September, with a peak in August. This is due to the fact that the maritime coast is protected from the oceanic monsoon by the orientation of its coast parallel to the prevailing winds. This climatic anomaly results in the disappearance of the dense forest on the coastal zone, which is an exceptional case in the Gulf of Guinea. Rains resume on the coast from mid-September to the end of October, but are not as heavy as in May and June. In the rest of the country, the summer months are the wettest. Rainfall ranges from 120 mm in Atakpamé, 155 mm in Dapaong and 235 mm in Sokodé in July. During the rainy season, the country is decked out in its most beautiful colors, especially in the central and Plateaux regions, which unveil superb lush landscapes. The waterfalls are also at their highest and offer fabulous shows. Mosquitoes are also very present, so it will be necessary to provide in the luggage clothes with long sleeves, a good waterproof jacket as well as an anti-mosquito spray of high quality.
