Cotonou Weather and Climate: A Comprehensive Guide
The weather in Cotonou is characterized by a steady average temperature throughout the year.
It also experiences much rainfall throughout the year.
Now, let’s break down all the climate details for a clearer picture.
Average maximum day and minimum night temperature
The temperature in Cotonou remains steady throughout the year, providing a consistently very warm climate. Average daytime temperatures reach a very warm 31°C in March. In August, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a comfortable 27°C.
At night, you can expect cooler temperatures, with averages dropping to around 24°C during this month. Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.Temperature ranges by month
Precipitation and rainy days
Cotonou has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1277 mm of rainfall annually. Cotonou can be quite wet during June, receiving approximately 259 mm of precipitation over 18 rainy days. In contrast January, experiences much drier conditions, with 29 mm of rainfall, spread across a single rainy day. For more details, please visit our Cotonou Precipitation page.The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine over the year
Cotonou can be enjoyed more throughout the sunniest month of November under a blue sky, with approximately 8.2 hours of sunshine daily. In contrast, the city experiences much darker days in July, with only 4.5 hours of sunlight per day. Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Average water temperature
The mean water temperature over the year ranges from 24°C in August to 29°C in April.
Water temperature over the year
Average humidity
The city experiences its highest humidity in June, reaching 88%. In March, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 80%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Average wind speed
The mean wind speed over the year ranges from 3 m/s in December to 6 m/s in July and August.
The mean monthly wind speed over the year (meters per second)
broken clouds and no rain partly cloudy and small chance of rain broken clouds and small chance of rainForecast for Cotonou
5 m/s
6 m/s
6 m/s
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
The best time of year to visit Cotonou in Benin
The best time to visit is during the drier months: January, February and December.Other facts from our historical weather data:
Most rainfall (rainy season) is seen in May and June.
March has an average maximum temperature of 31°C and is the hottest month of the year.
The coolest month is August with an average maximum temperature of 27°C.
June tops the wettest month list with 259 mm of rainfall.
January is the driest month with 29 mm of precipitation.
November is the sunniest month with an average of 245 hours of sunshine.
No idea where to travel to this year? We have a tool that recommends destinations based on your ideal conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
