Spring in Niamey means the heat and humidity start rising fast, so the season feels like a real transition. You’ll notice daytime highs moving from the upper 90s °F into the low 100s °F, while nights warm from the low 70s °F into the 80s °F.
Each week, the city gets hotter, stickier, and just a bit closer to the long rains of summer.
As spring goes on, the skies get cloudier. Early in the season, you’ll see more clear days, but by late spring, overcast skies and quick rain showers pop up more often.
Humidity builds quickly, especially in May, making the air feel heavier and a bit oppressive.
Daylight stretches out as spring rolls along, and by late spring, you get nearly an extra hour of sun.
Winds start out mostly from the east but eventually turn south, helping drive the changing weather.
These shifts set up the rainy season, though you still get plenty of dry, sunny days that really define Niamey’s spring.
Overview of Spring Weather in Niamey
Spring in Niamey brings very hot days, warmer nights, and humidity that just keeps climbing.
Rainfall starts to pick up near the season’s end, and the days get longer while the skies become cloudier.
Climate Classification and Location
Niamey sits in southwestern Niger along the Niger River, right near the Sahara Desert’s edge.
The climate falls under hot semi-arid (BSh) in the Köppen system, almost tipping into true desert.
You’ll get long stretches of blazing sun, not much rain, and high average temps.
Niamey sits about 676 feet (206 meters) above sea level, and the land is mostly flat.
With its location, Niamey gets over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.
Vegetation is sparse unless you’re near farmed areas, and the dry landscape really shapes both the heat and the wind patterns.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During spring, daily highs jump from about 99°F (37°C) in early March to around 102°F (39°C) by late May.
Sometimes, you’ll see the thermometer hit above 106°F (41°C) on the hottest days.
Nights heat up fast too, climbing from the low 70s°F (22–23°C) to the low 80s°F (27–28°C).
Clouds roll in more and more, so by May, clear skies become rare.
March brings almost zero chance of rain, but by the end of May, that risk jumps to about 25%.
Average rainfall goes from almost 0 inches in early spring to over 1 inch by late spring.
Humidity ramps up sharply, making late spring feel much less comfortable than early spring.
Winds stay moderate, mostly blowing from the east in March, then shifting south by May.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring feels hotter and more humid than winter.
Back in January, you might see highs around 88°F (31°C), but by April, you’re well into the 100s°F (38–40°C).
Nights lose that cool winter relief.
Summer in Niamey is wetter, with frequent storms and a lot more rain.
By August, you might get rain on three out of four days.
Autumn slowly brings drier skies and a touch of cooler air.
Still, spring stands out because of its rapid warming trend and clear shift from the dry season to the very first hints of wet weather.
Average Temperatures During Spring
Spring in Niamey brings rising heat and big differences between daytime highs and nighttime lows.
From March through May, temperatures keep climbing, and you’ll often notice wide swings from hot afternoons to only slightly cooler nights.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During spring, daytime temps in Niamey usually sit between 37°C and 39°C (99°F to 102°F).
On the hottest days, you’ll see 41°C (106°F), especially late April.
Nights stay a lot warmer than in winter.
Lows rise from about 23°C (73°F) in early March to nearly 28°C (82°F) in May.
Even after dark, the heat lingers, making some nights feel muggy as spring moves along.
You’ll often see a 10–12°C difference between day and night, so afternoons are blazing, and evenings are only a bit cooler.
If you’re planning to be outside, it’s best to do it early in the morning or later in the evening.
Monthly Temperature Trends
You’ll see a steady warming each month through spring.
- March: Highs around 37°C, lows near 23°C. It’s hot, but still pretty dry.
- April: Highs get closer to 39°C–41°C. Lows bump up to about 26°C, so nights feel warmer.
- May: Highs stay near 39°C, and lows reach 28°C. Cloud cover and humidity rise too.
By late May, humidity builds up before the rainy season, so the heat feels heavier.
Even if the air temperature doesn’t change much from April to May, the extra moisture makes a big difference in how it feels.
Temperature Extremes and Variability
Sometimes you’ll get extreme heat in spring.
The hottest days often push above 41°C, especially in April.
These peaks aren’t unusual—they’re just part of the ramp-up to the hottest stretch of the year.
Nights rarely dip below 19°C, even at the start of spring.
So, you won’t get any sharp cold snaps, but the steady warmth can feel relentless.
Most of the variability comes from daily swings, not sudden weather shifts.
Afternoons are reliably hot, and mornings offer the only brief relief.
You can plan around this, but don’t expect many breaks from the heat until the rains finally show up.
Rainfall and Rainy Days in Spring
Spring in Niamey usually means very little rain early on, with just a slow increase as the season goes.
Rainy days stay rare until late spring, when the West African monsoon starts to make itself known.
Monthly Precipitation Totals
From March through May, rain is scarce compared to the summer.
March basically brings 0 mm—it’s bone dry.
April might see a slight bump, averaging 5–10 mm of rain.
May is when totals start to climb, often reaching 20–40 mm.
That’s a sign that seasonal winds are pulling more moisture into Niger.
Still, even in May, rain is nowhere near the heavy downpours of July and August, when you’ll see 100 mm or more each month.
So, spring—especially March and April—remains one of the driest times of year.
If you’re planning outdoor stuff, you’ll almost always get clear skies and little risk of rain until late May.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rain is rare in spring.
March brings 0 rainy days on average, so sun rules the skies.
April might bring 1–2 rainy days, but honestly, some years see none.
May is the first month where rain becomes more noticeable, with 3–5 rainy days on average.
Even then, showers are brief and scattered.
You’re unlikely to run into long stretches of wet weather at this time.
Short, infrequent rain means spring is a good bet for travel and outdoor adventures.
Most days are dry, and any showers usually clear out quickly.
Transition to the Rainy Season
Spring acts as the bridge from the long dry season to summer’s rains.
In March and April, dry northeasterly winds keep things arid and rain almost nonexistent.
By May, humid air from the south starts pushing into Niger.
This shift brings the first scattered thunderstorms and a bump in both rainfall and rainy days.
The real rainy season waits until June, but May gives you a taste of what’s coming.
If you visit then, you’ll notice more clouds, higher humidity, and maybe the occasional evening storm.
Humidity and Atmospheric Conditions
Spring in Niamey brings a big jump in humidity as the dry season fades and the wet season approaches.
Temperatures stay high, and the rise in relative humidity changes how the heat feels, especially in the mornings and evenings.
Average Relative Humidity Levels
Relative humidity in Niamey starts low in March, averaging around 14–18%.
The air feels very dry then.
By April, humidity climbs to about 25–30%.
By June, it can hit 40–45%.
This steady increase shows the shift toward the rainy months.
More moisture in the air means the heat feels heavier.
Even if the temperature doesn’t change much, higher humidity can make a big difference in comfort.
The driest time comes in early March, while the muggiest air arrives in late June.
Travelers usually find March more pleasant for outdoor activities, but by June, the added moisture makes things feel much more stifling.
Humidity Fluctuations Through Spring
Humidity doesn’t rise evenly every day.
March mornings and evenings stay very dry, while afternoons might feel a bit more humid as temps spike.
By April, there’s a more noticeable gap between day and night humidity.
In May and June, short rain showers start popping up.
After a storm, humidity can briefly shoot above 50%, but that doesn’t last long—levels drop once the ground dries out.
The shift from dry to humid air also changes visibility and comfort.
Dust and haze are common in March, but by June, the extra moisture cuts down on dust, swapping it for a heavier, damper feel.
Wind Speed and Patterns
Spring in Niamey brings shifting winds as the dry season gives way to hints of rain.
You’ll notice stronger winds early in spring, then calmer air as humidity builds toward late spring.
Average Wind Speeds by Month
Spring covers March, April, and May, and each month feels a bit different.
In March, average wind speeds often reach 13–14 mph (21–22 kph), making it one of the windier months.
By April, speeds stay steady but might ease a little.
In May, winds slow further, averaging 10–11 mph (16–18 kph).
That drop signals the wetter months are on the way, as the air gets heavier with moisture.
The windiest stretch in Niamey runs from late November to early April, so March is still in that peak.
By May, you’ll notice calmer air as the wet season influence grows.
| Month | Average Wind Speed |
|---|---|
| March | ~13–14 mph (21–22 kph) |
| April | ~12–13 mph (19–21 kph) |
| May | ~10–11 mph (16–18 kph) |
These shifts affect how it feels outside.
Strong March winds bring dust and dry air, but lighter May breezes make the heat feel more still.
Prevailing Wind Directions
Winds in Niamey during spring usually blow from the northeast and east, thanks to the Harmattan trade winds.
These dry winds carry fine dust across the region, especially in March and early April, so you get hazy skies and lower visibility.
As May nears, winds shift more toward the southwest.
That marks the start of moist air moving in from the Gulf of Guinea, which sets up the rainy season.
This transition happens gradually.
Early spring winds stay dry and brisk, but by late spring, the flow brings more humidity and softer breezes.
Travelers definitely notice the change.
The northeast winds feel drier and a bit cooler, while the southwest winds in May bring heavier, warmer air.
This seasonal shift really shapes how comfortable the days feel—and it’s a big part of Niamey’s broader climate pattern.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Spring in Niamey usually means long, bright days. As the season pushes closer to the rainy period, clouds start showing up more often.
Sunshine hours and the length of daylight both shape how hot and dry everything feels.
Average Daily Sunshine
Niamey gets about 8 to 9 hours of direct sunshine per day on average during spring. In March, you’re likely to see around 8 hours 30 minutes of sun.
April delivers about 8 hours 22 minutes, and by May, sunshine drops a bit to 8 hours 17 minutes as the clouds roll in before the wet season.
The share of daylight that’s sunny shifts too. In March, 71% of daylight hours are sunny. That number dips to 68% in April and 66% in May.
So, by late spring, you’ll probably spot more haze or cloudy skies.
If you’re planning to be outside, mornings and early afternoons usually bring the clearest skies. Later in spring, though, clouds can build up fast and change things in a hurry.
Length of Daylight During Spring
Daylight hours in Niamey keep stretching longer as spring moves along. In March, the average day runs about 12 hours from sunrise to sunset.
April bumps that up to around 12 hours 25 minutes. By May, you get about 12 hours 44 minutes of daylight.
You actually gain roughly 40 extra minutes of daylight from early March to late May. It’s not a massive change, but you’ll notice it.
So, there’s plenty of daylight for travel, work, or just exploring. Even when the clouds hang around, the long days keep things bright for hours.
Practical Implications for Residents and Visitors
Spring in Niamey brings hotter days, more humidity, and the first hints of rain. These changes really shape how you plan your time outside, what you wear, and how you get around.
Outdoor Activities and Comfort
Daytime highs often jump between 99°F and 106°F. Nights stay warm, rarely dipping below the low 70s.
April usually feels like the hottest stretch, so brace yourself.
Humidity climbs quickly, especially by May, and afternoons can feel pretty muggy. If you’re outside for a while, you’ll definitely notice it.
Drinking enough water and wearing light, breathable clothes makes a big difference.
Clouds show up more often as spring goes on. They can give you a break from the direct sun, but they’re also a sign that the rainy season isn’t far off.
You might catch a quick rain shower late in spring, though the real downpours usually wait for summer.
If you want to exercise or sightsee, early mornings and evenings are your best bet. Midday brings harsh sun, so grab sunscreen, a hat, and stick with light layers—your skin will thank you.
Travel Tips for Spring in Niamey
Early spring usually brings dry roads, but once May rolls around, rain can change things fast. Even a bit of rain turns unpaved routes muddy, so if you’re heading out of the city, give yourself some extra time.
Flights almost always operate on schedule in spring. Still, dust and haze from the dry season sometimes mess with visibility. If dust bothers you, toss protective eyewear or a light scarf in your bag—trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
You’ll find plenty of hotels and guesthouses, but I’d recommend picking a spot with solid air conditioning or at least decent airflow. Power cuts happen now and then, so a backup fan or a battery-powered cooler can save the day.
The weather bounces between heat and sudden showers. Pack light clothes, some sturdy sandals, and a small umbrella, and you should be set for whatever spring throws at you.