When you picture winter in West Africa, you might expect cooler days and chilly nights. In Lome, though, things look quite different.
Winter here stays warm, with average daytime highs around 30–32°C (86–90°F), and nights rarely dip below 23–24°C (73–75°F). You won’t see frosty mornings or need heavy coats, but you’ll probably notice a shift in rainfall and humidity.
During these months, the city gets its driest stretch of the year. Rainfall drops to some of the lowest levels, often under 20 mm in December.
Skies clear up more than they do in the wet season. This makes it more comfortable for exploring the coast, strolling through markets, or just hanging out on the city’s beaches without storms getting in the way.
Humidity sticks around, but it’s not as intense as during the peak rainy months. Outdoor activities feel more manageable.
With steady daylight—about 11 to 12 hours—and warm sea temperatures, you get a consistent tropical vibe all season. The mix of warmth, drier skies, and reliable sunshine gives winter in Lome its distinct character.
Overview of Winter Weather in Lome
Winter in Lome brings warm temperatures, plenty of humidity, and a fair bit of cloud cover compared to much of the year.
You’ll feel steady daytime heat with little variation, while rainfall stays low but skies often look overcast. The city’s coastal location has a big impact on these conditions.
Typical Winter Climate Patterns
During winter, you can expect daytime highs around 88–89°F (31–32°C). Nights stay mild, usually above 75°F (24°C).
This keeps the overall feel consistently warm, without sharp drops. Rainfall stays minimal in winter.
December usually records about 1.3 inches (33 mm), making it one of the driest months. Still, skies aren’t always clear.
Cloud cover increases, with overcast or mostly cloudy days reported more than half the time. Humidity levels stay high—often reaching 70–80%—so the air feels heavier, even when rain is scarce.
Winds blow in gently from the Gulf of Guinea, which helps keep things from feeling too stifling.
How Winter Differs From Other Seasons
The rainy season peaks in June with over 11 inches (290 mm) of rainfall, but winter in Lome is much drier. You won’t run into frequent storms or long stretches of rain.
Instead, you get more stable weather and planning outdoor activities feels easier. Temperatures in winter are a bit cooler than the hottest months like March, when highs can hit 92°F (33°C).
The difference isn’t huge, but you might notice the heat isn’t quite as intense. Another noticeable change appears in the sky.
Summer brings more sunshine between rain showers, while winter tends to look cloudier even with less rain. This creates a softer light during the day, which some travelers actually prefer.
Geographic Influences on Lome’s Winter
Lome sits right on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea at a low elevation—only about 25 meters (82 feet) above sea level. This spot shapes its winter weather in a big way.
The nearby ocean keeps temperatures from going to extremes. You get steady warmth instead of big swings.
The sea also adds to the high humidity you feel all year. Winds from the south and southwest bring in moisture from the Atlantic.
That explains the cloud cover, even when it’s drier. Without the ocean, Lome’s winter would probably get hotter during the day and cooler at night.
Average Winter Temperatures
Winter in Lomé stays warm and pretty stable, with only small changes between day and night. You’ll notice steady daytime highs, mild nights, and not much variation from month to month.
Daytime Temperature Trends
During winter, the average daytime temperature in Lomé usually sits around 30–32 °C (86–89 °F). It almost never goes above 33 °C or below 30 °C.
That means you can plan outdoor activities without worrying about sudden temperature drops. Even in December and January, the warmest part of the day feels a lot like late February.
The city’s coastal location brings in sea breezes that keep extreme heat away. You might notice a bit more humidity in the afternoons, but the air temperature itself stays steady.
| Month | Average High (°C) | Average High (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 31 | 88 |
| January | 32 | 89 |
| February | 32 | 89 |
Nighttime Temperature Ranges
At night, Lomé stays mild with average lows around 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). It almost never drops below 21 °C, even in January.
This makes evenings comfortable but still warm, so you probably won’t need heavy bedding or jackets. The lowest average low comes in early January, close to 24 °C (75 °F).
Nights in February are a little warmer, often starting around 26 °C. The dew point stays high, so the air feels humid, and the warmth lingers after sunset.
If you’re sensitive to heat, you might want to use a fan or air conditioning at night. The lack of cool periods can make indoor spaces feel muggy, especially if there’s not much airflow.
Temperature Fluctuations by Month
Month-to-month variation in Lomé’s winter is minor. December starts with highs near 31 °C and lows near 25 °C.
January is just a touch cooler at night, dipping to 24 °C on average, while daytime highs hold steady at 32 °C. By February, both daytime and nighttime temperatures tick up a bit.
Highs stay near 32 °C, and lows climb back toward 26 °C. These changes happen gradually, so there aren’t any jarring shifts in comfort.
Thanks to Lomé’s coastal position, temperatures stay balanced all year. You’ll see more change in cloud cover and rainfall than in heat.
Rainfall and Precipitation During Winter
In the winter months, Lomé gets less rain and total precipitation drops compared to the wet season.
You’ll see shorter showers, fewer rainy days, and clearer skies, though humidity still hangs around because of the city’s tropical climate.
Monthly Rainfall Amounts
Rainfall in Lomé during winter is light. December, January, and February usually record some of the lowest totals of the year.
- December: about 20–30 mm
- January: around 20–25 mm
- February: closer to 30–40 mm
These numbers are tiny compared to June, the wettest month, which can go over 200 mm. The lower totals in winter create drier conditions, making it a better time for outdoor activities and travel.
With less rain, you’ll run into fewer disruptions to transportation or sightseeing. Streets and roads stay more accessible, and visibility is usually better since there’s less heavy cloud cover.
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days in Lomé during winter are rare. In January, you might only see rain on 1–3 days.
December and February are just a bit wetter but still average fewer than 5 rainy days. That’s a big contrast with the wet season, when some months bring rain on more than 20 days.
In winter, most days stay dry and sunny, with only brief showers when it does rain. For visitors, this means you can plan outdoor activities without worrying much about weather interruptions.
Precipitation Patterns
Winter precipitation in Lomé follows a tropical dry-season pattern. Rain falls in short bursts, not long, steady downpours.
These showers usually hit small areas and pass quickly, leaving clearer skies behind. Humidity is still noticeable, but with less rain, the air feels less saturated than it does mid-year.
You might get some cloud cover, though sunshine hours are higher in winter. Regional wind patterns play a role here.
Dry northeasterly trade winds dominate in winter, bringing less moisture and keeping big rain events away. Precipitation stays low until the next rainy season rolls in.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
During winter in Lomé, you’ll feel high humidity that really shapes how comfortable the air feels. Even with warm temperatures, the moisture in the air can make things feel heavier and a bit less refreshing.
Relative Humidity in Winter
In Lomé, relative humidity during winter averages between 75% and 82%. January usually brings the lowest values, around 75%, while February and March see a gradual climb toward 78–79%.
These numbers might not sound wild, but when you pair them with daytime highs near 30°C (86°F), the air can feel muggy. Crisp, dry days are rare since the coast keeps moisture levels up.
If you’re visiting, expect sticky conditions even in the dry season. Locals and travelers both stick to light, breathable clothing.
Most people plan outdoor activities for early morning or late evening, when humidity feels less oppressive, even though the actual percentage doesn’t drop much.
Daily Variations in Humidity
Humidity in Lomé shifts throughout the day. Mornings often start with higher humidity levels, sometimes above 80%, since cooler overnight air holds more moisture.
As the sun comes up and temperatures rise, relative humidity dips a bit, though it rarely falls below 70%. By late afternoon, the air feels a little lighter, but evenings bring back the dampness as it cools off.
This cycle repeats every day, and the biggest difference is between early mornings and mid-afternoons. For comfort, you’ll probably find mornings feel the most humid, while afternoons are best for being outside.
People often use fans or ventilation indoors since air conditioning isn’t super common. Staying hydrated helps offset the effects of all that moisture.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
In the winter months, Lomé gets fewer sunshine hours than other times of the year, but daylight length stays pretty steady.
How bright your days feel depends a lot on the mix of cloudy skies and available sunlight.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
In Lomé, average daily sunshine during winter ranges from 4 to 7 hours per day. December usually brings about 7 hours, and January is close to 7 hours as well.
By February, it bumps up a little to around 7.5 hours. So, while daylight lasts about 12 hours, you only get sunshine for a bit more than half that time.
The rest of the day is often cloudy, hazy, or just overcast. Here’s how it usually looks:
- December: ~7h 36m of sunshine
- January: ~7h 01m of sunshine
- February: ~7h 40m of sunshine
If you’re planning outdoor activities, mornings and early afternoons usually offer the brightest conditions. Even in the dry season, clouds can limit the sun.
Seasonal Changes in Sunlight
Daylight length in Lomé doesn’t change much during the year because it’s so close to the equator. In winter, days last about 11 hours 45 minutes to 12 hours.
The gap between the shortest and longest day is less than one hour. What changes more is the percentage of sunny daylight hours.
In December and January, about 60–65% of daylight hours are sunny. By February, it goes up to around 65%.
This consistency makes planning pretty easy. You won’t deal with the big swings in day length you get further north.
Mostly, it’s cloud cover that decides how bright your day feels.
Wind Conditions in Lome’s Winter
During the winter months in Lome, the winds tend to stay steady but never really get wild. You’ll notice moderate breezes most days, and they definitely shape how comfortable it feels, the air quality, and what you can do outside along the coast.
Typical Wind Speeds
In winter, Lome usually sees average wind speeds between 6 to 12 knots (about 11 to 22 km/h). That’s enough for you to feel a real breeze, but it’s almost never so strong that it would mess up your plans.
Winds feel more consistent near the shoreline than they do inland. If you’re by the coast, you’ll probably notice slightly higher speeds, especially later in the afternoon when the difference between land and sea temperature kicks in.
Sometimes, things calm down, especially early in the morning or late in the evening. Wind speeds can dip below 5 knots then, and the air gets still, maybe even a bit warmer and stickier.
Most winter days bring light to moderate winds, which makes it pretty nice for walking, cycling, or just hanging out outdoors. Strong gusts don’t really happen often in this season, and honestly, severe wind events are pretty rare here.
Prevailing Wind Patterns
In Lome, the wind usually blows in from the northeast during winter. That’s the dry Harmattan breeze coming straight from the Sahara. It brings drier air, so humidity drops compared to the wetter parts of the year.
Sometimes, especially by the coast, the wind might shift toward the southwest. You’ll catch these changes mostly in the afternoon when local sea breezes start up.
People find the northeast winds pretty steady, but they aren’t exactly strong. That makes it easier to plan your day. If you’re traveling, you’ll probably have fewer interruptions for beach trips, sailing, or just being outside.
The Harmattan sometimes brings in fine dust, which can mess with visibility a bit. Still, Lome’s coastal air usually softens this effect, so it stays clearer here than farther inland in West Africa.