Summer in Accra, Ghana feels like a blend of steady warmth, high humidity, and bursts of rain. Most days bring highs around 29–31°C (84–88°F), and nights usually drop to about 23°C (73°F). It’s warm but rarely sweltering.
Honestly, the real challenge is the humidity and those sudden heavy showers that sneak up and change your plans.
From June to August, rain falls often. The sky stays cloudy for long stretches, which can make it feel like the sun barely comes out. Storms roll in quickly, and while they don’t usually drag on all day, they leave everything damp.
This heat and humidity combo makes the air feel heavier than you might expect from the numbers alone.
Still, coastal breezes bring some relief, especially in the evenings. The Atlantic winds move through, cooling down busy streets and open spaces.
If you get a sense of these patterns, you’ll have an easier time planning—whether you’re wandering the city, hitting the beach, or picking the right time for outdoor activities during Accra’s summer.
Overview of Accra’s Summer Climate
Accra’s summer months mean heavy rainfall, steady warmth, and sticky humidity. Evenings cool off a bit compared to other times of year, but rain and cloudy skies shape how you go about your day.
Geographical Location and Significance
Accra sits right on Ghana’s Atlantic coast, along the Gulf of Guinea. Its coastal spot shapes the climate, with sea breezes keeping things mild and humid.
The city’s low elevation—about 56 meters (185 feet)—helps keep temperatures pretty steady all year.
Since Accra’s so close to the equator, you won’t see four classic seasons. Instead, there are just wet and dry periods.
June through August falls in the main rainy season. This coastal geography is the reason Accra gets more rain than many inland spots in Ghana.
As Ghana’s capital and biggest city, Accra’s weather really matters. The climate affects everything—tourism, business, farming, and daily routines.
Summer rains help farmers in the nearby countryside, but they also shape travel and plans in the city.
Seasonal Climate Patterns
In summer, daily highs usually land between 28°C and 31°C (82°F–88°F). Nights cool a bit, often hovering near 23°C (73°F).
The heat stays pretty steady, but it’s the rain that really stands out. June can have more than 20 rainy days, which is a lot for one month.
Humidity jumps, often hitting 80–85%, so the air feels hotter than what the thermometer says. Cloudy skies are common, with lots of overcast days cutting down the sunlight.
But don’t let that fool you—the UV index stays high, so sun protection is still a must.
Coastal winds pick up, blowing at 10–16 km/h on average. These breezes help with the humidity.
Rain showers tend to be heavy but brief, and you might see a few in a single day. That’s pretty typical for tropical savanna climates.
Comparison to Other African Cities
If you stack Accra’s summer weather against other African coastal cities, you’ll spot a few quirks. Lagos, Nigeria, has a rainy summer too, but it usually gets even more rain that lasts longer.
Dakar, Senegal, gets less rain and has a shorter wet season.
Cities farther inland, like Kumasi in Ghana or Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, get hotter during the day—often above 33°C (91°F). They don’t have the ocean’s cooling touch, so nights can feel warmer and the rain isn’t as regular.
Accra’s climate stays steadier in terms of temperature swings. You won’t see the big jumps you find in places like Bamako, Mali, where daytime heat can be brutal and nights get much cooler.
The ocean keeps both temperature and humidity pretty level, even when the rain is at its peak.
Average Summer Temperatures in Accra
Accra’s summer means steady warmth, with only slight changes from day to night. You’ll notice cooler evenings, but the humidity keeps things feeling warm all the time.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During summer, daytime highs usually sit between 83°F and 86°F (28°C to 30°C). It’s rare for temperatures to go above 89°F, so you won’t get the kind of extreme heat some other tropical cities deal with.
Nights drop to about 74°F to 76°F (23°C to 24°C). The air stays muggy, so there isn’t much relief after sunset.
You’ll get sticky nights almost every evening.
This small difference between day and night is typical for coastal cities on the Atlantic. The sea keeps things stable and prevents big swings.
Monthly Temperature Trends
From June to August, temperatures barely budge. June starts with highs around 86°F (30°C), and by August, you’ll see highs closer to 83°F (28°C).
Nights cool off a bit too, from about 76°F (24°C) in June to 74°F (23°C) in August. Early August usually feels the coolest, both day and night.
This slow cooling comes with other changes, like less rain and a few more clear skies as summer winds down. If you’re in Accra for a few weeks, you’ll probably notice the shift.
Historical Highs and Lows
Accra’s summer weather doesn’t change much, but there have been a few outliers. The hottest days usually pop up in late February, sometimes hitting 91°F (33°C).
The coolest days come in early August, with highs near 81°F (27°C) and lows around 74°F (23°C).
Even on its coolest summer day, Accra feels warm compared to most places. The city never freezes, and extreme heat waves are rare.
That consistency makes it easier to plan things outdoors—you pretty much know what you’re getting.
Rainfall Patterns During Summer
Accra’s summer brings a big jump in rain, with June being the wettest month. You’ll get frequent showers, high humidity, and not many long dry spells between storms.
That can really impact your plans, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the forecast.
Monthly Average Rainfall
Most of Accra’s summer rain falls in June, July, and August. June is the wettest month, with about 183 mm on average.
July is a bit drier, usually getting 75–100 mm, and August sees 80–90 mm.
Here’s a quick look at the averages:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| June | ~183 |
| July | ~75–100 |
| August | ~80–90 |
The West African monsoon brings these downpours early in summer, then things lighten up a bit as the season goes on.
Number of Rainy Days
It’s not just how much it rains, but how often. June usually brings around 21 rainy days, so most days have at least a little rain.
July has about 12–15 rainy days, and August gets 13–16 days with measurable rain.
You should expect showers several times a week, often in the afternoon or evening. The rain can be heavy but usually doesn’t last long.
If you time your activities right, you can dodge the worst of the storms and still enjoy the city.
Rainfall Variability and Extremes
Accra’s summer rain can change a lot from year to year. Some seasons bring wild storms and flooding, while others are milder.
Heavy downpours often hit one neighborhood way harder than another, even if they’re just a few kilometers apart.
June is when you’re most likely to see extreme events, since the atmosphere is loaded with moisture and storms are strongest.
Flash floods can happen in low-lying spots, especially near rivers or on roads that don’t drain well.
But not every year is the same. You might get a calm season, but it’s smart to be ready for wet weather if you’re visiting or planning something outdoors.
Humidity and Cloud Cover in Summer
Accra’s summer? Expect high humidity and lots of cloud cover. These two things really decide how comfortable you’ll feel and how much sun you’ll actually see.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity stays high in summer—usually 83–87% in July and August. That much moisture in the air makes the heat feel heavier, even when temperatures are just 25–30°C (77–86°F).
Mornings and evenings feel damp, and drying laundry can take forever. If you’re outside, you’ll notice that sweat won’t evaporate quickly, so your body has a harder time cooling off.
August is the most humid. June and July are a bit less sticky, but still above 80%.
Compared to the drier months from November to February, summer is definitely the muggiest time.
If you’re traveling, pack breathable clothes, drink water often, and take breaks indoors when you can.
Cloudiness and Sunshine Hours
Cloud cover is a big deal in Accra’s summer. In June and July, skies are overcast most of the time, with clouds ranging from 56% to nearly 80%. That cuts down the sunshine, but doesn’t always make things cooler thanks to the humidity.
You’ll get about 4–6 hours of sun per day, usually broken up by clouds or rain. Outdoor plans can be tricky, so you might need to stay flexible.
Even with all those clouds, UV levels stay strong—usually around 7. Sun protection is still important, since UV rays get through even on cloudy days.
All this cloudiness makes for softer daylight, which can be nice for sightseeing, but maybe not ideal if you’re hoping for a classic beach day.
Wind Speed and Breezes
Accra’s spot on the Gulf of Guinea means you’ll feel steady breezes that help cut through the humidity. The wind’s strength and consistency shift as summer goes on, but it’s usually noticeable.
Average Wind Speed by Month
During summer, wind speeds in Accra average 11–13 km/h. June marks the start of the windier stretch, with speeds over 11 km/h.
July tends to be the windiest month, averaging about 13.4 km/h. August keeps it up, but winds ease off a bit.
By September, things calm down, with winds dropping closer to 11 km/h.
Even if these numbers don’t sound wild, you’ll feel the difference—they really help with the heat and humidity. Evenings, in particular, can feel a lot more comfortable thanks to these coastal breezes.
| Month | Avg. Wind Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|
| June | ~11.5 |
| July | ~13.4 |
| August | ~12.5 |
| September | ~11.0 |
So, you can count on a reliable breeze most summer days. It won’t blow you over, but it’s just enough to make sitting outside or walking along the coast a lot more pleasant.
Seasonal Wind Patterns
In Accra, summer winds kick up from early June through mid-October. This stretch lines up with the wetter months, so you’ll see plenty of clouds and rain.
Winds mostly blow in from the southwest, dragging moist air from the Atlantic Ocean right onto land.
You’ll really feel the difference in July and August. That’s when breezes hit their stride—strongest and most reliable.
These winds clear out the air, cut down on the sticky heat, and make it way more pleasant to be outside, even when it’s raining.
As September rolls on, the winds start to ease up and shift direction. That’s your cue that calmer, drier days are just around the corner.
By late October, wind speeds usually drop below 11 km/h. The lively summer breeze fades, and things get noticeably quieter.
If you’re visiting, you can count on those cooling breezes to take the edge off the humidity. For locals, these winds offer free ventilation and shape the rhythm of daily life all over the city.
Other Notable Summer Weather Features
Accra’s summer weather doesn’t just come down to rain and humidity. The city’s spot on the Atlantic coast changes everything.
The sea keeps temperatures in check, stirs up the wind, and honestly, makes things a bit more comfortable. Locals and travelers both have to adjust and find little tricks to make the most of it.
Sea Temperatures and Coastal Influence
The Atlantic Ocean steps in to keep Accra from overheating during summer.
While it can get pretty hot inland, the coast hangs onto steadier temperatures—usually 23°C (73°F) at night and up to 30°C (86°F) during the day.
Sea surface temps stay warm, averaging 26–27°C (79–81°F). You can swim all year, even when it’s rainy.
The warm water keeps fishing going strong, which matters a lot for the local economy.
Humidity? It’s up there, often around 80–84%. Luckily, the sea breeze takes the edge off.
Winds pick up in July and August, averaging 16 km/h (10 mph). That’s usually enough to make the muggy air feel more bearable.
Sometimes, the coastal air brings a bit of mist or haze, which can blur the view. Still, after a good rain, skies tend to clear up.
If you’re near the water, expect cooler evenings than you’d get inland. The mix of warm ocean air and steady breezes makes the coast one of the best spots to hang out during Ghana’s summer.
Tips for Visitors During Summer
June and July usually bring heavy rains, which can really mess with outdoor plans. You’ll probably deal with 20–25 rainy days each month, so it just makes sense to toss some light rain gear in your bag.
Flooded roads pop up fast in Accra, so try to give yourself extra time when getting around. It’s honestly a bit unpredictable, but better to be safe than sorry.
Even with all that rain, the UV index often hits 7—that’s pretty high. Don’t skip sunscreen or a hat, since the sun can come out of nowhere, and wet streets just bounce sunlight right back at you.
Go for lightweight, breathable clothes to deal with the humidity and heat. I’d recommend waterproof sandals or shoes, because puddles and mud are almost a given after a storm.
If you’re thinking about coastal activities, mornings usually start off clearer. More showers tend to roll in during the afternoon, so keeping plans flexible helps you make the most of both the city and the beach.