Last updated: January 18, 2025
Borgou, Benin, is characterized by a tropical savanna climate (Köppen-Geiger class Aw), featuring distinct temperature variations throughout the year. The region experiences a minimum temperature of 14°C (58°F) in January, while the average temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F), providing a warm environment conducive to diverse ecosystems. Notably, April sees peak temperatures soaring to a maximum of 41°C (106°F), marking the hottest period of the year. This climatic profile underscores the challenges and adaptations of both the local population and natural flora and fauna in responding to significant thermal variations.
Temperature patterns in Borgou, Benin, exhibit a clear seasonal trend, with notable warmth persisting throughout the year. The year begins in January with cooler temperatures, featuring a minimum of 14°C (58°F) and an average of 26°C (80°F), before gradually warming through the months. February brings slightly higher averages of 29°C (84°F), while March and April peak with maximum temperatures reaching 41°C (105°F) and 41°C (106°F) respectively, indicating the onset of the hottest period. May marks a transition as temperatures begin to decline slightly, with averages of 28°C (83°F). The subsequent months of June to August experience mild cooling, peaking at 27°C (80°F) in June before settling into the lower mid-20s. As the year closes, minimum temperatures remain around 17°C (64°F) in November and December, paired with average readings stabilizing at 26°C (80°F). This pattern reflects a distinct tropical savanna climate, characterized by a hot dry season followed by a cooler rainy period.
In January, the minimum temperatures in Parakou and Tchaourou are both 16°C (60°F), while Nikki experiences slightly cooler temperatures with a minimum of 14°C (58°F). By March, temperatures rise significantly, peaking at 40°C (104°F) in Nikki and 40°C (105°F) in both Parakou and Tchaourou. For more detailed temperature variations, you can check the links for each city: monthly temperatures in Parakou, monthly temperatures in Nikki, and monthly temperatures in Tchaourou.
Precipitation in Borgou, Benin, demonstrates a distinct seasonal pattern with a clear wet and dry season. The year begins dry, with January and December recording 0 mm of rainfall, signifying a complete absence of precipitation. February sees a slight uptick to 4 mm, while March introduces a modest increase with 19 mm over approximately 3 days. The transition into the wet season occurs in April, where rainfall surges to 40 mm over 7 days, and this trend intensifies as May experiences 99 mm over 15 days, signaling the onset of the rainy season.
The peak of the wet season occurs from June to September, during which Borgou receives its highest amounts of precipitation. June records 151 mm over 20 days, followed closely by July with 211 mm over 25 days, and August with 226 mm across 26 days. September maintains considerable rainfall at 219 mm over 23 days, before gradually tapering off in October with 115 mm over 14 days. Notably, November sees a significant drop to 4 mm, illustrating the end of the rainy season. This seasonal variability in precipitation profoundly impacts agricultural practices and water resource management in the region.
In Borgou, Benin, sunshine duration exhibits a noticeable seasonal trend characterized by an overall increase as the year progresses. At the beginning of the year, January sees 270 hours of sunshine, gradually rising through February and March, where it reaches 301 hours and 328 hours, respectively. The peak sunshine month occurs in May, with an impressive 339 hours, reflecting the region's transition into the warmest period. Even in the wet season, from June to August, sunshine remains relatively abundant, averaging around 320 to 322 hours, which indicates ample brightness despite peak rainy conditions.
As the year progresses into the latter months, the sunshine hours stabilize around 300 to 330 hours, showing only slight fluctuations. October and November provide consistent sunlight, with 321 hours and 320 hours respectively, while December experiences a modest rise to 330 hours. This trend illustrates that while Borgou faces a significant rainy season, it also enjoys considerable sunshine, which is vital for agriculture and local livelihoods. The climatic pattern emphasizes the region's ability to harness sunlight throughout the year, ensuring that despite the variability in rainfall, light remains a consistent and vital resource.
The UV Index in Borgou, Benin, consistently indicates extreme exposure levels, particularly from January through October, with values ranging from 11 to 13. January starts with a UV Index of 11, reflecting the region's intense sunlight, and this intensity peaks in April and July, reaching 13. Throughout these months, the burn time remains critically low at just 10 minutes, emphasizing the risk of skin damage from prolonged sun exposure. May, June, and subsequent months maintain similarly high UV levels, reinforcing the importance of protective measures against sunburn and UV-related health issues during this period.
As the year progresses into November and December, the UV Index drops slightly to 10, categorizing exposure levels as very high, with a marginally longer burn time of 15 minutes. This decrease, while still indicating significant UV radiation, provides a slight reprieve from the extreme conditions of the preceding months. Nevertheless, residents and visitors in Borgou should remain vigilant about sun protection year-round, as even the lower UV levels in late fall and winter retain the potential for harmful exposure. Overall, the data highlights the need for appropriate sun safety practices in Borgou to mitigate health risks associated with prolonged UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
In Borgou, Benin, daylight duration remains relatively consistent throughout the year, with minor fluctuations reflecting the subtropical climate. From January to February, the region enjoys approximately 11 hours of daylight each day. As March approaches, daylight increases to 12 hours, a duration that is maintained from March through September. This sustained period of extended daylight is particularly beneficial for agriculture and outdoor activities, allowing residents ample time to engage in daylight-dependent tasks.
As the year progresses into October, November, and December, daylight duration decreases again to 11 hours. This cyclical pattern indicates a stable transition between longer daylight months and slightly shorter ones, reinforcing the consistency characteristic of the region’s climate. Despite the slight variation in daylight hours, the overall stability supports the local economy and lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of sunlight throughout the year in shaping daily activities and natural rhythms in Borgou.
Bembereke, Benin experiences a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and significant rainfall from June to September. During the hottest months, March and April, temperatures can reach up to 41°C (106°F), while the cooler months, like January, see minimum temperatures around 14°C (58°F). Rainfall begins to increase in May, peaking in August with approximately 230 mm (9.1 in), making this period the wettest of the year. Despite the heavy rains, Bembereke enjoys ample sunshine, especially in May, with over 340 hours of sunlight. For more detailed information, visit Bembereke climate.
Beterou, Benin experiences a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 16°C (61°F) in January to a maximum of 40°C (105°F) in March and April. The warmest months are typically March and April, while the cooler months are July and August. Rainfall is concentrated between May and September, with July being the wettest month, receiving about 219 mm (8.6 in) of precipitation. Despite the rain, sunshine is abundant throughout the year, peaking in May with 338 hours. For more details, visit Beterou climate.
The climate in Nikki, Benin, is characterized by a tropical pattern, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 14°C (58°F) in January to a peak of 40°C (104°F) in March and April. The wet season spans from May to September, with significant rainfall peaking in July (220 mm) and August (227 mm). Conversely, the dry months, particularly January and December, experience negligible precipitation. Sunshine is abundant, with May boasting the highest hours at 342, contributing to the warm temperatures throughout the year. For more information, visit Nikki climate.
Parakou, Benin experiences a tropical climate characterized by a distinct wet and dry season. Temperatures are generally warm, with averages ranging from 25°C (77°F) in the wettest months of July and August to highs around 40°C (104°F) in March and April. Rainfall peaks during the summer months, particularly in July and August, receiving around 202 mm (7.9 in) and 232 mm (9.1 in) respectively. The region enjoys ample sunshine throughout the year, with May recording the highest hours at 337. For more details, visit Parakou climate.
Tchaourou, Benin experiences a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. January to April sees rising temperatures, with averages peaking at 30°C (86°F) in March, while the rainy season from June to September brings significant precipitation, reaching up to 246 mm (9.7 in) in September. During the dry months, abundant sunshine is typical, with January receiving around 270 hours. For more detailed information about the climate, visit Tchaourou climate.
In conclusion, Borgou, Benin, presents a unique climatic profile characterized by its tropical savanna conditions, which significantly influence temperature, precipitation, sunshine, UV index, and daylight duration. The region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, marked by high temperatures and substantial rainfall, particularly during the peak months from June to September. The consistent high UV index emphasizes the need for sun protection, while the stable daylight hours foster a conducive environment for agriculture and community activities. Understanding these climatic patterns is essential for local residents and policymakers alike, as they navigate challenges related to weather variability and maximize the benefits of abundant sunlight that underpins daily life in Borgou.