Mauritania

Mauritania Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

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

Climate overview of Mauritania

Most of Mauritania (about two-thirds of the country) has a desert climate. Daytime temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F) in most areas for over 6 months of the year, however the nights are cool. Although conditions are generally desert like, three other climatic regions can be found. Southern Mauritania has a Sahelian climate; there is one rainy season from July to October. Annual rainfall averages 660 mm (26 in) in the far south; at Nouakchott the annual average is 140 mm (5.5 in).

Trade winds moderate the temperature in the coastal region. The average maximum temperature at Nouadhibou for January is 26°C (79°F), and for October 32°C (90°F); average minimums are 13°C (55°F) for January and 19°C (66°F) for July.

The best time to visit is November-February, when temperatures are hot during the day, but cooler at night

Explore Mauritania by month

Popular cities by month

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Nouakchott Nouadhibou Chinguetti Banc d'Arguin National Park Akjoujt Boutilimit
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)

Climate map

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

Avg day temp (°C)
32°

Compare popular cities

Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.

Nouakchott 28°C (82°F) 35°C (95°F) 17°C (63°F) 26°C (79°F) 52 mm (2 in) 2,959 hours
Nouadhibou 22°C (72°F) 28°C (82°F) 16°C (61°F) 23°C (73°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 3,188 hours
Chinguetti 25°C (77°F) 41°C (106°F) 12°C (54°F) 28°C (82°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 3,471 hours
Banc d'Arguin National Park 26°C (79°F) 37°C (99°F) 16°C (61°F) 26°C (79°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Akjoujt 29°C (84°F) 43°C (109°F) 16°C (61°F) 29°C (84°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 3,524 hours
Boutilimit 30°C (86°F) 41°C (106°F) 17°C (63°F) 27°C (81°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 3,422 hours

FAQ

What is the best time to visit Mauritania?

The warmest month in Akjoujt is June, with daytime highs of 43°C (109°F). Akjoujt is the sunniest destination, with 337 hours of sunshine in May. Mauritania has a distinct dry season from January to December. Explore Mauritania weather by month for a detailed breakdown.

What temperatures can I expect in Mauritania?

Akjoujt is the warmest destination, reaching 43°C (109°F) in June with nights around 29°C (84°F). Nouadhibou is the coolest, with January daytime highs of just 22°C (72°F) and nights dropping to 16°C (61°F). Temperatures vary significantly between regions and seasons. See the city comparison for a full overview.

How much rain does Mauritania get?

Rainfall varies across Mauritania. Boutilimit is the wettest, receiving 89 mm (3.5 in) per year, with September the wettest month at 32 mm (1.3 in). Terjit is the driest at 42 mm (1.7 in) per year. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.

How sunny is Mauritania?

Akjoujt is the sunniest destination in Mauritania, enjoying 3,524 hours of sunshine per year, with May the brightest month at 337 hours. Overall, Mauritania enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.

What is the climate like across Mauritania?

Nouakchott has very hot summers reaching 35°C (95°F) in October and warm winters dropping to 28°C (82°F), with 2,959 hours of sunshine and 52 mm (2 in) of rain per year. Nouadhibou has warm summers reaching 28°C (82°F) in September and pleasant winters dropping to 22°C (72°F), with 3,188 hours of sunshine and 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain per year. Chinguetti has very hot summers reaching 41°C (106°F) in July and warm winters dropping to 25°C (77°F), with 3,471 hours of sunshine and 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.

Places in Mauritania

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

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Travel inspiration

Must-visit destinations and experiences across Mauritania.