Summer in Banjul feels like a mix of warmth, humidity, and those heavy rains that really shape life along the coast. Most days, highs hover around 29°C (84°F) and nights stay warm and sticky, while rainfall picks up fast from June through August.
This blend of heat and moisture makes summer both lively and a bit challenging, especially if you’re hoping to be outside much.
You’ll notice the weather can shift quickly once the wet season kicks in. June tends to bring lighter showers, but by August, the city gets its heaviest rainfall of the year, usually with thick humidity and plenty of cloud cover.
Even with all that dampness, the sea stays warm and inviting, which helps balance out the heavy air on land.
Overview of Banjul’s Summer Climate
Banjul’s summer climate really depends on its coastal spot, tropical weather system, and the switch between wet and dry seasons. You’ll get steady warmth, high humidity, and frequent rain—these things define the city’s vibe during summer.
Location and Geography
Banjul sits right at the mouth of the Gambia River, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s location on a low-lying island means both the river and sea shape the weather a lot.
Around Banjul, the land is flat, with lots of water and cropland nearby. This setup keeps temperatures from swinging too much, but it does mean more humid air and a higher risk of seasonal flooding.
Sea breezes often cool things down a bit. Still, storms and heavy rains can build up fast during the wet months because of the same geography.
Köppen Climate Classification
Banjul falls under the tropical wet and dry climate (Aw) in the Köppen system. So, you get a clear dry season and a wet season.
The dry season usually runs from late fall through spring, with lower humidity and barely any rain. When summer hits, the wet season takes over, and heavy rains become the main story.
Temperatures stay warm all year, but the big difference between dry and wet months really defines the climate. That’s why you’ll see long sunny stretches, then sudden, intense downpours—sometimes in the same week.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During summer, daily highs in Banjul usually land between 88°F and 91°F (31–33°C), and lows stick close to 75°F (24°C). The humidity climbs fast, making the air feel even hotter—sometimes muggy, sometimes downright oppressive.
Rainfall ramps up quickly. Early summer might bring less than an inch of rain for the month, but by August, you’re looking at 8–9 inches. Storms become common, and the sky is often overcast.
Winds mostly come in from the west, tied to ocean patterns, but they start to weaken as summer goes on. The Atlantic nearby also heats up, with surface water temperatures rising from about 77°F to 83°F (25–28°C), adding even more to the humidity you feel.
Typical Summer Temperatures in Banjul
Summer in Banjul is warm and steady, with only minor changes month to month. Expect high daytime heat, mild but humid nights, and a clear difference between early and late summer.
Average Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime temperatures in Banjul during summer usually sit between 29°C and 30°C (84°F to 86°F). The heat barely changes across June, July, and August.
At night, it cools a bit but stays warm, with lows around 24°C to 26°C (75°F to 79°F). Humidity makes nights feel heavier, so even if the numbers dip, it can still feel sticky and warm.
The small gap between highs and lows means Banjul’s summer feels steady. You won’t get big temperature swings from day to night, which is typical for tropical coastal cities.
Monthly Temperature Variations
In June, highs average about 29.2°C (84.6°F), and nights are near 24°C (75°F). The rainy season starts, but the heat is manageable.
By July, temperatures barely shift, with highs close to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F). Humidity rises, but the air temperature stays steady.
August is much the same, with highs at 29.1°C (84.4°F) and lows near 25°C (77°F). Rainfall peaks now, but temperatures don’t really fluctuate.
This stability makes planning a bit easier—you can count on similar warmth all summer, with no big surprises.
Temperature Extremes
Banjul doesn’t really see extreme summer temperatures. Highs rarely go above 32°C (90°F), even in the hottest weeks. The coastal spot and sea breezes keep the heat in check compared to inland areas.
At night, temps almost never fall below 23°C (73°F). Humidity and the ocean’s influence keep nights warm.
So, expect persistent warmth day and night. The heat isn’t extreme, but with little relief after sunset and high humidity, the climate can sometimes feel more intense than the numbers suggest.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Banjul’s summer brings a clear wet season, with heavy rainfall, frequent storms, and only short breaks of sunshine. Rainfall peaks in the middle of the season, and you’ll notice big differences in both how much rain falls and how many days it rains each month.
Monthly Rainfall Amounts
Rain in Banjul follows a strong pattern. July, August, and September are the wettest months. August stands out with an average of about 270 mm of rain, right at the rainy season’s peak.
June and October get less, usually between 100–200 mm. Rainfall builds up to a peak, then drops off again as the wet season ends.
Banjul gets 600–700 mm of rain during summer alone—that’s most of the city’s yearly total. The rest of the year is mostly dry, with barely any measurable rain.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| June | ~120–150 |
| July | ~200–250 |
| August | ~270–280 |
| September | ~200–220 |
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days really jump in summer. In June, you might see 8–10 rainy days, but by August, it’s up to about 16–18 days. That means rain falls about half the time during the peak month.
Rain usually comes down hard but doesn’t last long, often showing up in the late afternoon or evening. Thunderstorms are pretty common during the peak.
By September, rainy days drop back to 12–14 days. Come October, the wet season fades, and rain gets less frequent.
Impact of Rainfall on Daily Life
Heavy rain in Banjul affects transportation and outdoor plans. Streets can flood fast during big storms, making travel slow and unpredictable. If you’re moving around the city in August, plan for extra time.
For travelers, frequent showers mean you’ll need some flexibility. Many tours and beach activities pause during downpours, but they usually start up again once the rain stops.
For locals, the wet season brings much-needed water for farming and refills water supplies. Still, it also bumps up the humidity, making daily life feel warmer and sometimes a bit uncomfortable, even if the daytime temperatures drop a little.
Humidity and Atmospheric Conditions
In Banjul, you’ll run into high humidity during summer, and that really changes how the heat feels. The air holds a lot of moisture, making temperatures feel warmer and comfort levels drop—especially when the rains peak.
Average Relative Humidity
During summer, relative humidity in Banjul usually stays high, often between 70% and 85%. August, the wettest month, hits the highest levels, with averages around 85%.
Even in June and July, when rain just starts to pick up, humidity levels are still elevated. So, even moderate temperatures can feel pretty oppressive.
The city’s yearly average for relative humidity is about 66%. Summer months always come in higher, making them some of the muggiest times of the year.
Humidity Variation Throughout Summer
Humidity doesn’t stay the same all summer. In June, it starts climbing as the rains begin. By July, you’ll notice a sharp jump, and in August, it peaks.
- June: Moderate to high humidity, around 70–75%
- July: Higher, often above 80%
- August: Peaks, averaging 85% or more
By September, humidity stays high but starts to drop off as the rain eases. This pattern matches the tropical wet and dry climate, where air moisture rises and falls with the rain.
Effects of Humidity on Comfort
High humidity in Banjul makes the air feel hotter than the actual temperature. So, when the thermometer says 30–31°C (86–88°F) in August, it can feel several degrees warmer.
If you’re outside for long stretches, this can really affect your comfort. Sweating doesn’t cool you as much because the air is already so full of moisture. You might feel sticky or overheated, even in the shade.
Most people choose lightweight, breathable clothes during these months. Staying hydrated and picking mornings or late afternoons for outdoor plans helps a lot with the sticky heat.
Wind Speed and Weather Influences
Wind shapes Banjul’s summer weather in a big way. You’ll get steady breezes that make a difference for comfort, outdoor activities, and how the air feels when it’s hot and humid.
Average Wind Speed During Summer
In summer, Banjul’s average wind speed usually falls between 6 to 10 miles per hour. This is part of a longer windy stretch that runs from early December through mid-August. By July, winds often stay above 7 mph, giving you a nice breeze most days.
These aren’t strong winds, but they do help with the humidity and the heat, which often hits the upper 80s °F (around 30–32 °C). Evenings feel cooler when the breeze keeps going after dark.
Wind speed can change a bit depending on where you are. If you’re closer to the coast, you’ll usually catch stronger breezes than if you’re inland. That’s handy to know if you’re planning walks, fishing, or sailing.
Prevailing Wind Directions
During summer, Banjul usually gets winds from the west and southwest, thanks to moist air off the Atlantic Ocean. These winds bring in humidity, fueling the rainy season from June to September.
You’ll sometimes feel the wind shift during the day, but generally, the direction stays the same. This steady flow helps regulate temperatures by moving warm air inland and replacing it with cooler ocean air.
Wind direction also affects rainfall. When winds pick up from the southwest, showers tend to be heavier and more frequent. If you’re staying near the coast, expect stronger gusts compared to spots farther inland.
Influence of Sea Breezes
Sea breezes really shape Banjul’s summer weather. When the land heats up during the day, cooler air from the Atlantic sweeps inland, so you get a refreshing breeze by late morning or early afternoon.
You’ll usually notice this effect most right along the coast, where the temperature difference between land and sea is sharpest. These breezes take the edge off the heat and make it a lot more comfortable to be outside, especially when the sun is at its fiercest.
In the evenings, things flip. The land cools off faster than the ocean, so winds tend to weaken or shift a bit.
This daily rhythm helps explain why the coast feels cooler and just more pleasant than inland spots during the hottest stretch of the season.
Sea Temperature and Coastal Conditions
The water around Banjul stays warm all summer, so you can count on good conditions for swimming and other coastal fun. The Atlantic Ocean and the Gambia River both play a role in shaping the local climate, affecting sea temperatures, humidity, and the general vibe along the coast.
Average Summer Sea Temperatures
In Banjul, sea temperatures usually hang out between 27°C and 29°C (81°F–84°F) during summer. July through November brings the warmest water, with averages sitting at about 28°C (82°F).
This steady warmth means you can enjoy the sea for ages without feeling chilly. Unlike places where the water temperature jumps all over the place, Banjul’s tropical climate keeps things pretty stable from month to month.
The warm sea surface mixes with the humid air, and sometimes that combo makes the coast feel even warmer. When you add in the heavy rain in July and August, the air can get thick, but the sea itself stays inviting for a swim.
| Month | Avg. Sea Temp (°C) | Avg. Sea Temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| June | 27 | 81 |
| July | 28 | 82 |
| August | 28 | 82 |
| September | 29 | 84 |
Swimming and Water Activities
Warm sea temperatures mean swimming, snorkeling, and just hanging out at the beach are all pretty great throughout the summer. You can stay in the water for a while since it almost never drops below 27°C (81°F).
The coastline by Banjul usually stays calm, though heavy rain in the peak months can make snorkeling a bit murky. If you’re after clearer water, you might want to wait for late summer or early autumn.
Where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic near Banjul, the mix can sometimes create stronger currents. It’s safest to swim near monitored beach areas where people keep an eye on conditions.
Most visitors find the sea safe and comfortable, but it’s still smart to pay attention to tides and currents, especially near the river’s mouth.
Influence of the Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean shapes coastal conditions in Banjul in a big way. Warm currents help keep sea temperatures steady, while seasonal winds and rains push humidity and rainfall up and down along the coast.
When the rainy season arrives, the ocean absorbs and releases heat more slowly than the land. That means nights near the coast stay cooler than what you’d get farther inland.
The Gambia River also changes things up. Freshwater from the river mixes with the Atlantic and shifts salinity levels near the river’s mouth. This can have a real impact on marine life and the clarity of the water.
You might spot slightly murkier water near the river channel than out on the open coast. If you head farther from the river mouth, the Atlantic takes over, giving you clearer water and steadier swimming conditions.