Dakar Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Dakar. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s break down all the details for a clearer picture.

Dakar tends toward drier weather patterns, receiving approximately 283 mm of rain per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm)

The seasons in Dakar, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, August, receives high rainfall, with an average of 133 mm of precipitation.

This rainfall is distributed across 10 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month, April, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 0.1 mm over 0 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

August, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C. During the driest month April you can expect a temperature of 23°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Dakar Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Senegal

The map below shows the annual precipitation across Senegal. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Dakar’s average annual precipitation is 283 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Toronto, Canada, annual precipitation averages [964 mm], with snowy winters and rainy summers.

In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm, with a humid subtropical climate.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

How is Precipitation Measured?

Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.

Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.

Interesting weather facts

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm per year, with some years recording virtually no rainfall.
• Nearly 1,650 thunderstorm cells are estimated over the planet at any given time.

For more detailed information about Dakar’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Dakar Climate page.