Climate Cameroon

Contrast or diversity, Cameroon's climate is like everything else, oscillating between constant contradictions and a form of perennial mix, imposed by climatic conditions and the rhythm of the seasons. This diversity of climate is at the root of many aspects of the country's diversity, forcing minds to open up to the subtleties and cultural riches that a territory can conceal. As a result, landscapes evolve and change along the way, fauna and flora change and so do the populations, gradually expanding the traveller's vision. It's this complexity that makes Cameroon such a special place, one that you feel you're discovering a little more of with each pass, and one that takes time to fully appreciate. From deep forests to wide open spaces, from mountainous relief to desert expanses, each of the country's climatic zones is a cultural experience in itself.

Along the coast

The coastal and south-western provinces are among the wettest regions in the world, with annual rainfall of up to 8,000 mm on the slopes of Mount Cameroon, and up to 10,000 mm (or 10 m of rain per year) around Debunscha, a small village at the foot of Mount Cameroon, recognized as one of the five places with the highest rainfall in the world! This is explained by the presence of the giant mountain, which prevents clouds from circulating, causing torrential rains to fall on the small coastal village.

These verdant regions of Cameroon record humidity levels of up to 90% between July and September. While this humidity-laden atmosphere is conducive to the cultivation of crops and the densification of local flora, it can be difficult for humans to tolerate, especially when they are accustomed to much lower levels (between 40% and 60%). So don't be surprised to feel overwhelmed by this heavy, humid climate if you travel to these parts of Cameroon during the rainy season.

At this time of year, everything is made a little more complicated, and the life that takes place outdoors the rest of the year is considerably impacted by the intensity of the rains. Markets and itinerant commerce suffer nature's wrath, and many communes suffer regular flooding. That said, as in many African countries, life goes on regardless, and it's impressive to see Cameroonians redoubling their ingenuity in the face of these difficult conditions. In town, mototaxis tinker with umbrellas over their bikes to keep their passengers (more or less) dry, everyone dons boots, oilskins, jellyfish and plastic shoes, and markets continue to take place on increasingly muddy ground. In the countryside, the tracks become veritable skating rinks of red earth, while the farmers are patient and continue to cultivate their fields, even under heavy rains.

West, Centre and Adamaoua

Moving northwards, the climate gradually becomes more tropical, with a clearer distinction between the rainy and dry seasons, in terms of both temperature and rainfall. However, this tropical climate is tempered by altitude in the mountainous regions to the west and in the central part of the country on the Adamaoua plateaus.

The part of the country to the south of Adamaoua is under equatorial influence, characterized by a hot, humid climate, with abundant, regular rainfall (although less so outside the rainy season, between November and May), and temperatures around 25°C virtually all year round.

The western climate in December is dry and cold.
The dry season begins in July-August, with alternating light rains and fog, and reaches its peak in December. It's not until March that the first rains appear. Occasionally, light showers occur in December. This rain, generally referred to as Christmas rain, is due to the region's proximity to the coast, where the cold wind sometimes passes over certain mountainous obstacles without losing all its moisture.

Further north

Finally, the Far North, near Lake Chad, is subject to a Sahelian or dry tropical climate. Approaching Kousseri and the Chadian border, the climate is arid, with daily temperatures hovering around 40°C. Soils are dry and vegetation adapts, and we're a long way from the green hills, and closer to Sahelian landscapes, with dust-carrying winds and leaden skies.