Climate and Weather of Liberia
Liberia is a tropical and equatorial country located in West Africa bordering the Ivory Coast (Côte D'Ivoire), Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Liberia was founded by emancipated slaves of African descent during the gloomy days of the Civil War in the United States in the 19th century.Liberia’s climate is tropical, with abundant rains and an average annual maximum temperature of 30°C. Topography-wise, Liberia is characterized by a plain that descends towards the sandy coast, covered with mangroves and with numerous lagoons and marshy areas. In this descent, three different levels can be considered, parallel to the coast. The highest level forms a vast landscape endowed with canopies of trees. The intermediate level, about 600 meters (1968 ft) above sea level, is covered by open forest, and the lowest level area is covered by savannas. Liberia’s highest peak is Mount Nimba with an altitude of 1752 meters (5748 ft) high.
March is Liberia’s warmest month, while August is the coldest. The average maximum temperature in March ranges around 32°C in Monrovia. On the other hand, August brings cooler, mellow temperatures with an average maximum temperature of 27°C in Monrovia.
In terms of average precipitation, rainfall in Liberia is high with usually around 4631 mm a year. June is Liberia’s wettest month, while January is the driest. Average precipitation in Liberia for the month of June is 963 mm). Meanwhile, average precipitation in Monrovia for the month of January is 55 mm.
What can I expect from Monrovia, Liberia’s capital?
Liberia's greatest charm is its capital, Monrovia, where when you get to the city centre, you can feel the true experience of a tropical capital. And while it has its flaws, Monrovia offers some charming features of a true African capital. It is surrounded by palm trees that surround the vibrant urban atmosphere of the city. You can see street vendors selling second-hand clothes, charming collections of old school DVDs, and even a few supermarkets stocked with Western goodies.
What should I wear on a trip to Liberia?
Travelers are advised to go for neutral colors such as beige, khaki, military green, and grey. It is ideal to wear long sleeves and long pants to avoid mosquitoes. Take advantage of fabrics with UV protection technology or other clothing articles that offer some sort of sun protection such as sunglasses and bandannas. Quick dry clothes are also a must when you are traveling during rainy, humid months. Lastly, avoid black and white clothing for they are known to attract mosquitoes.
When is the best time to visit Liberia?
The best months to explore Liberia are the months of January, February, March, April, July, August, September, and December. In these periods, there are warm temperatures and little rainfall. Liberia has a tropical and equatorial climate characterized by humid and rainy weather conditions in most parts of the year. This is evident up to the height of the Senegal River and Lake Chad in the north of Africa, two bodies of water proximate to Liberia.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Liberia?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.