- Sunshine hrs/yr
- 3,025
- Snowfall
- None. Dakar never receives snow.
Updated September 2026 · Sources cited: climatestotravel.com, weather-and-climate.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- January-June offers the most comfortable travel conditions with cool, dry weather and low humidity.
- The Harmattan wind (December-February) can occasionally bring Saharan dust, affecting visibility and air quality for a day or two.
- Despite the rainy-season label, July-October rarely sees continuous rain; showers are often brief. Plan outdoor activities accordingly.
- The coastal location keeps Dakar significantly cooler than inland Senegal; daytime highs remain mild year-round (never exceeding 31°C).
- Sea temperatures are pleasant for swimming year-round (minimum 20°C in winter, maximum 28°C in summer).
- Humidity peaks sharply in July (82%) and August (84%), making those months feel oppressive; December-May are more bearable.
Peak Month
- Month
- October
Daytime High
- Celsius
- 30
- Fahrenheit
- 86
Nighttime Low
- Celsius
- 27
- Fahrenheit
- 81
Off Peak Month
- Month
- February
Daytime High
- Celsius
- 23
- Fahrenheit
- 73
Nighttime Low
- Celsius
- 20
- Fahrenheit
- 68
Wind
- Dry Season
- Harmattan winds from the northeast blow from December-February, sometimes with dust from the Sahara. Average wind speed 17.6 kph.
- Rainy Season
- Weaker winds with variable directions
Seasons
Dry Season
- Months
- November to May
- Characteristics
- Cool, comfortable, with low humidity and virtually no rain. Fresh ocean breezes blow from the north. Best time to visit.
Rainy Season
- Months
- July to early October
- Characteristics
- Hot and humid with increased rainfall. Wind is weaker and variable. August and September are the wettest months.
Humidity
- Dry Season
- 59-65% (comfortable)
- Rainy Season
- 81-84% (very humid, particularly in July-September)
Dakar has a hot semi-arid climate with two distinct seasons: a long, dry season from November to May with fresh ocean winds and lower humidity, and a hotter, wetter rainy season from July to early October. The city's peninsular location on the Cape Verde Peninsula moderates temperatures compared to inland Senegal.
Rainfall
- Driest Months
- April and May (virtually 0 mm)
- Wettest Month
- August (approximately 166 mm / 6.5 inches)
- Annual Total Mm
- 390
- Annual Total Inches
- 15.4
- Rainy Season Pattern
- Rainfall concentrated from July to September, with August receiving peak precipitation. Showers can be intense but infrequent.
Snowfall
None. Dakar never receives snow.
Sunshine
- Annual Hours
- 3025
- Cloudiest Month
- August and September (approximately 7.3 hours daily)
- Sunniest Months
- April and May (approximately 9.9 hours daily)
Sea Temperature
Coolest
- Month
- February-March
- Celsius
- 20
- Fahrenheit
- 68
Warmest
- Month
- September-October
- Celsius
- 28
- Fahrenheit
- 82
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this climate & weather research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Dakar
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.