Mali

Mali Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Monthly climate averages for Mali, temperatures, rainfall and the best time to visit.

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Bamako Mopti Kenieba Timbuktu

Climate overview of Mali

Mali's climate varies significantly across its vast expanse. The northern region has a warm desert climate, while the central part, situated in the Sahel, experiences a warm steppe climate. The southern regions, in contrast, have a tropical savanna climate.

Rainfall and Climate Zones

Annual rainfall differs greatly depending on location. In the southern Sudanian regions, rainfall reaches approximately 762 mm (30 in) per year, whereas in the northern desert-bordering areas, it drops to just 203 mm (8 in).

Seasonal Variations

The year in Mali is divided into three distinct seasons, with their duration influenced by latitude. From November to February, the weather is cool and dry. March to May brings hot and dry conditions, while from June to October, the rainy season arrives, bringing milder temperatures and increased humidity.

Best Time to Visit Mali

The ideal time to visit Mali is between November and February. During these months, the weather is dry with frequent sunshine, and afternoon temperatures generally range from 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F).

Explore Mali by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Popular cities by month

Compare cities per month. Toggle cities on/off.

Bamako Mopti Kenieba Timbuktu Bissau Tessalit
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)
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Climate map

Average daily temperature, monthly rainfall & sunshine hours across cities.

Avg day temp (°C)
0° 32°

Regional climate differences

Explore the climate diversity across Mali.

Nara

-1°C (30°F) – 32°C (90°F)
1745 mm (69 in) / year
2,022 hours / year

Based on Sakurai
Browse all states and regions ↓

Compare popular cities

Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.
Bamako 31°C (88°F) – 40°C (104°F) 18°C (64°F) – 27°C (81°F) 840 mm (33 in) 2,970 hours
Mopti 33°C (91°F) – 42°C (108°F) 18°C (64°F) – 29°C (84°F) 354 mm (14 in) 3,148 hours
Kenieba 31°C (88°F) – 41°C (106°F) 19°C (66°F) – 29°C (84°F) 1011 mm (40 in) 2,843 hours
Timbuktu 29°C (84°F) – 43°C (109°F) 15°C (59°F) – 30°C (86°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 3,108 hours
Bissau 30°C (86°F) – 35°C (95°F) 21°C (70°F) – 26°C (79°F) 1382 mm (54 in) 2,692 hours
Tessalit 27°C (81°F) – 44°C (111°F) 12°C (54°F) – 30°C (86°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 2,662 hours
Browse all popular cities ↓

FAQ

What is the best time to visit Mali?

The warmest month in Tessalit is June, with daytime highs of 44°C (111°F). Mopti is the sunniest destination, with 282 hours of sunshine in November. Mali has a distinct dry season from January to December. Explore Mali weather by month for a detailed breakdown.

What temperatures can I expect in Mali?

Tessalit is the warmest destination, reaching 44°C (111°F) in June with nights around 30°C (86°F). Tessalit is the coolest, with January daytime highs of just 27°C (81°F) and nights dropping to 12°C (54°F). Temperatures vary significantly between regions and seasons. See the city comparison for a full overview.

How much rain does Mali get?

Rainfall varies across Mali. Bissau is the wettest, receiving 1382 mm (54 in) per year, with August the wettest month at 461 mm (18 in). Mopti is the driest at 354 mm (14 in) per year. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.

How sunny is Mali?

Mopti is the sunniest destination in Mali, enjoying 3,148 hours of sunshine per year, with November the brightest month at 282 hours. Overall, Mali enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.

What is the climate like across Mali?

Bamako has very hot summers reaching 40°C (104°F) in April and very warm winters dropping to 31°C (88°F), with 2,970 hours of sunshine and 840 mm (33 in) of rain per year. Mopti has very hot summers reaching 42°C (108°F) in May and very warm winters dropping to 33°C (91°F), with 3,148 hours of sunshine and 354 mm (14 in) of rain per year. Kenieba has very hot summers reaching 41°C (106°F) in April and very warm winters dropping to 31°C (88°F), with 2,843 hours of sunshine and 1011 mm (40 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.

Places in Mali

Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.

Popular cities

Browse all 8 places in Mali →

Regions

Nara

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Nearby countries
South Africa Morocco Kenya Tanzania Egypt Tunisia
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Travel inspiration

Must-visit destinations and experiences across Mali.

Visit Pays Dogon

We recommend visiting in December or January which is the coolest time in the year, however temperatures are still above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
All travel inspiration →