Mauritania Weather by Month

Mauritania, located in Northwest Africa, is a country that spans from the Atlantic Ocean on the west to the Sahara Desert in the east. It shares borders with Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. Covering an area of over 1 million square kilometers, Mauritania is a vast country dominated by arid landscapes, including deserts, plateaus, and coastal plains.

The geography of Mauritania is divided into several distinct regions. The northern and eastern parts of the country are largely occupied by the Sahara Desert, featuring sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and dry riverbeds. The central region is a mix of semi-desert and savannah, while the coastal areas along the Atlantic are more humid, with the capital, Nouakchott, located near the coast. The Senegal River forms Mauritania’s southern border and provides a vital water source, supporting agriculture in an otherwise dry environment.

Mauritania’s climate is mainly desert and semi-desert, characterized by hot, dry weather and minimal rainfall. The country experiences distinct seasons based on temperature and rainfall, with a hot season, a rainy season, and a cooler dry season. These seasonal patterns vary by region, influenced by factors such as proximity to the Atlantic and the Sahara.

Mauritania Weather by Month

January

General Overview

• Average temperature: 13°C to 29°C (55°F to 84°F)
• Rainfall: Very dry, with little to no rain

January is part of the cool, dry season in Mauritania, with pleasant temperatures across much of the country. The coastal regions, including Nouakchott, enjoy mild weather, with cool nights and warm days. In the desert areas, such as Atar and Chinguetti, temperatures are cooler during the day and can drop significantly at night. The southern regions near the Senegal River, while slightly warmer, remain dry.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions (Nouakchott): Mild with temperatures between 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F)
• Sahara Desert (Atar, Chinguetti): Cool days and cold nights, temperatures between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F)
• Southern Mauritania (Kaédi, Rosso): Warm with temperatures around 16°C to 30°C (61°F to 86°F)

January is an excellent time to explore Mauritania, especially the desert areas, where the cooler temperatures make outdoor activities more comfortable.

February

General Overview

• Average temperature: 15°C to 32°C (59°F to 90°F)
• Rainfall: Dry, with little to no rain

February remains part of Mauritania’s cool season, though temperatures start to rise slightly, especially in the southern and desert regions. The coastal areas continue to experience pleasant weather, while the interior becomes warmer during the day. Nights in the desert are still cool, but daytime temperatures begin to climb.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Mild and dry, temperatures between 17°C to 28°C (63°F to 82°F)
• Sahara Desert: Warmer during the day, with temperatures between 12°C to 30°C (54°F to 86°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Warm and dry, temperatures around 18°C to 32°C (64°F to 90°F)

February is another great month for travel, with mild weather across much of the country and little chance of rain.

March

General Overview

• Average temperature: 18°C to 35°C (64°F to 95°F)
• Rainfall: Dry, though the heat begins to increase

March marks the transition toward hotter weather in Mauritania. The coastal regions remain relatively mild, but temperatures in the desert and southern regions begin to rise significantly during the day. Nights in the desert are still cool, but the overall trend is toward warmer conditions. Rain remains minimal across the country.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Warm and dry, with temperatures between 19°C to 30°C (66°F to 86°F)
• Sahara Desert: Hot during the day, with temperatures between 15°C to 35°C (59°F to 95°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Warm and dry, temperatures around 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F)

March is still a good time to visit, though travelers should be prepared for increasing heat, particularly in the desert and southern areas.

April

General Overview

• Average temperature: 22°C to 39°C (72°F to 102°F)
• Rainfall: Dry and very hot, particularly in the interior

April is the beginning of Mauritania’s hot season, with temperatures rising sharply, especially in the desert and southern regions. The coastal areas remain somewhat cooler due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, but inland areas become significantly hotter. Nights in the desert are still relatively cool, though the difference between day and night temperatures starts to decrease.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Warm with temperatures between 21°C to 34°C (70°F to 93°F)
• Sahara Desert: Very hot during the day, with temperatures between 20°C to 38°C (68°F to 100°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Hot, with temperatures around 24°C to 39°C (75°F to 102°F)

April is a challenging month for travel due to the increasing heat, particularly in the desert regions.

May

General Overview

• Average temperature: 25°C to 42°C (77°F to 108°F)
• Rainfall: Hot and dry, with no significant rainfall

May is part of the peak hot season in Mauritania, with extreme temperatures across the country, particularly in the desert and southern regions. The coastal areas remain slightly cooler, but the heat inland can be intense. Rain is still absent, and the country remains dry.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Hot and dry, with temperatures between 23°C to 36°C (73°F to 97°F)
• Sahara Desert: Very hot during the day, with temperatures between 25°C to 42°C (77°F to 108°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Extremely hot, with temperatures around 26°C to 42°C (79°F to 108°F)

May is a difficult time for travel in Mauritania, especially for outdoor activities, due to the extreme heat.

June

General Overview

• Average temperature: 27°C to 44°C (81°F to 111°F)
• Rainfall: Very hot and dry, with minimal rain

June continues the extreme heat across Mauritania, particularly in the desert and southern regions. Temperatures in the coastal areas are still hot, but not as extreme as inland. The interior of the country, including the Sahara Desert, experiences some of the highest temperatures of the year. Rain remains minimal.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Hot with temperatures between 25°C to 38°C (77°F to 100°F)
• Sahara Desert: Extremely hot, with temperatures between 28°C to 44°C (82°F to 111°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Very hot, with temperatures around 28°C to 44°C (82°F to 111°F)

June is one of the hottest months in Mauritania, making it a challenging time for travel, especially for those planning to visit the desert.

July

General Overview

• Average temperature: 29°C to 45°C (84°F to 113°F)
• Rainfall: Start of the rainy season in the south, but still dry in the desert

July marks the beginning of the rainy season in southern Mauritania, with occasional thunderstorms and showers. However, the desert and coastal regions remain mostly dry, with extremely hot temperatures continuing. The southern regions, near the Senegal River, receive the first significant rainfall of the year, bringing relief from the heat.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Hot and dry, with temperatures between 26°C to 39°C (79°F to 102°F)
• Sahara Desert: Extremely hot, with temperatures between 29°C to 45°C (84°F to 113°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Hot with occasional rain, temperatures around 29°C to 42°C (84°F to 108°F)

July is a difficult month for travel in most parts of Mauritania due to the extreme heat, though the southern regions begin to cool slightly with the arrival of the rains.

August

General Overview

• Average temperature: 28°C to 43°C (82°F to 109°F)
• Rainfall: Peak of the rainy season in the south, still dry in the desert

August is the height of the rainy season in southern Mauritania, with regular thunderstorms and increased humidity. The rains bring cooler temperatures to the south, though it remains hot. In contrast, the desert and coastal regions continue to experience very hot, dry conditions. The rains support agriculture in the southern regions, particularly around the Senegal River.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Hot and dry, with temperatures between 27°C to 38°C (81°F to 100°F)
• Sahara Desert: Extremely hot and dry, with temperatures between 28°C to 43°C (82°F to 109°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Hot with frequent rain, temperatures around 28°C to 40°C (82°F to 104°F)

August is not the best time to visit Mauritania, especially the desert regions, due to the extreme heat and, in the south, heavy rains.

September

General Overview

• Average temperature: 26°C to 40°C (79°F to 104°F)
• Rainfall: Rainy season continues in the south; desert remains dry

September sees the continuation of the rainy season in the southern regions of Mauritania, though the intensity of the rains starts to decrease by the end of the month. The desert areas remain hot and dry, but temperatures begin to drop slightly compared to the peak heat of July and August. The coastal regions remain hot, though the ocean breeze provides some relief.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Warm with temperatures between 25°C to 36°C (77°F to 97°F)
• Sahara Desert: Hot and dry, with temperatures between 26°C to 40°C (79°F to 104°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Warm with occasional rain, temperatures around 26°C to 38°C (79°F to 100°F)

September is still a challenging month for travel, particularly in the desert, though the southern regions begin to experience slightly cooler, wetter conditions.

October

General Overview

• Average temperature: 23°C to 36°C (73°F to 97°F)
• Rainfall: End of the rainy season in the south; dry elsewhere

October marks the end of the rainy season in southern Mauritania, with temperatures cooling slightly and rain becoming less frequent. The desert regions remain dry, but temperatures become more tolerable compared to the previous months. Coastal regions enjoy warm, pleasant weather, making this a good time to visit the Atlantic coast.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Warm with temperatures between 22°C to 33°C (72°F to 91°F)
• Sahara Desert: Hot but cooler than summer, with temperatures between 23°C to 36°C (73°F to 97°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Warm with occasional rain early in the month, temperatures around 23°C to 35°C (73°F to 95°F)

October is a transitional month, offering more comfortable weather for travelers, particularly in the coastal and southern regions.

November

General Overview

• Average temperature: 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F)
• Rainfall: Dry season begins, with cooler temperatures across the country

November marks the start of the cool season in Mauritania, with much more comfortable temperatures and little to no rainfall. The desert areas experience cool nights and warm days, while the coastal regions are mild and pleasant. The southern regions also cool down significantly, with the rainy season fully over.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Mild with temperatures between 18°C to 29°C (64°F to 84°F)
• Sahara Desert: Cool days and cold nights, with temperatures between 17°C to 30°C (63°F to 86°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Warm and dry, with temperatures around 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F)

November is one of the best months for travel in Mauritania, with cooler temperatures and dry conditions throughout the country.

December

General Overview

• Average temperature: 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
• Rainfall: Dry season in full swing, with mild temperatures

December is part of Mauritania’s cool season, with mild to cool temperatures and no significant rainfall. The desert areas experience cold nights, but daytime temperatures are comfortable. The coastal regions are mild, making this a perfect time for beach activities and exploration. The southern regions remain dry and warm.

Regional Differences

• Coastal regions: Mild with temperatures between 16°C to 25°C (61°F to 77°F)
• Sahara Desert: Cool days and cold nights, with temperatures between 13°C to 27°C (55°F to 81°F)
• Southern Mauritania: Warm and dry, with temperatures around 16°C to 30°C (61°F to 86°F)

December is an ideal month for travel in Mauritania, with comfortable temperatures and dry weather throughout the country, making it suitable for exploring the desert, coast, and cities.

Summary of Mauritania’s Climate by Region

Coastal Regions (Nouakchott, Nouadhibou)

• Best months: November to April (mild temperatures, dry season)
• Wettest months: No significant rain, but humidity can rise slightly in summer
• Hottest months: July and August (very hot)

Sahara Desert (Atar, Chinguetti)

• Best months: November to March (cooler temperatures, dry weather)
• Hottest months: May to August (extreme heat)
• Coldest months: December to February (cold nights)

Southern Mauritania (Kaédi, Rosso)

• Best months: November to February (cool and dry)
• Rainiest months: July to September (rainy season)
• Hottest months: April to June (extremely hot)

Mauritania’s weather is dominated by the desert climate, with hot, dry conditions prevailing for much of the year. The best time to visit is during the cooler months, from November to February, when temperatures are more tolerable, particularly in the desert and coastal regions. The rainy season in the south, from July to September, brings some relief from the heat but can also make travel challenging due to occasional storms and increased humidity. The coastal areas, with their milder climate, provide a year-round destination for travelers, though the best time to visit is during the cooler, drier months.