When you picture summer in Niamey, you should brace yourself for long, scorching days mixed with heavy seasonal rains.
Average summer weather in Niamey brings high temperatures in the 90s °F, frequent humidity, and a sharp rise in rainfall during July and August. These conditions shape daily life and travel, so it’s definitely worth knowing what to expect before planning a trip.
You’ll notice a clear shift as the season progresses.
Early summer usually feels intensely hot and dry, but by mid-summer, clouds gather, rainstorms show up, and the air gets much wetter.
This mix of heat, moisture, and changing skies makes the climate challenging, yet oddly fascinating.
Understanding how temperature, rainfall, and daylight change helps you prepare for outdoor plans.
Whether you’re exploring the city or venturing beyond, checking patterns in sunshine, wind, and humidity gives you a real sense of what summer feels like in Niamey.
Overview of Summer Weather in Niamey
Summer in Niamey delivers high heat, heavy humidity, and an active rainy season.
You’ll see a clear switch from the dry months into wetter, cloudier weather, with big changes in temperature, rainfall, and wind.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During summer, daily high temperatures in Niamey start around 102°F (39°C) in early June and drop to about 92°F (33°C) by late August.
Nighttime lows fall from roughly 83°F (28°C) down to 76°F (24°C), and even at night, it stays pretty warm and muggy.
Rain really defines this season.
The chance of a wet day jumps from 25% in June to over 60% in August.
Rainfall usually comes in short, heavy bursts, with August soaking up the most—over 5 inches in a typical 31-day stretch.
Cloud cover increases steadily too.
By late August, skies turn mostly cloudy or overcast about two-thirds of the time.
When you mix that with high humidity, the air feels damp and heavy, a big contrast from the drier months.
Wind speeds drop as summer moves on, going from about 9.5 mph in June to near 6 mph in late August, usually blowing from the south.
This calmer air, combined with all that humidity, can make the heat feel even more intense.
Comparison to Other Seasons
If you stack summer up against Niamey’s dry season, the difference is dramatic.
In winter and spring, skies are clearer, humidity is low, and rain barely shows up at all.
For example, January brings a 0% chance of rain and daytime highs near 88°F (31°C), with nights cooling to about 63°F (17°C).
Summer, on the other hand, rarely gives you a break from heat or humidity.
Even though average highs dip a bit compared to April, the air feels hotter thanks to the near-constant moisture.
Dew points climb above 70°F (21°C), so most days feel muggy or even oppressive.
Daylight hours shrink a little during summer.
In June, you get almost 13 hours of sunlight, but by late August, it’s down to about 12 hours and 20 minutes.
It’s a small change, but it hints at the rainy season winding down.
Unlike the dry months, when winds can kick up dust and blow strong, summer winds feel lighter and more humid.
That seasonal switch explains why many travelers prefer Niamey outside the rainy months, even though the hottest daytime temps actually come earlier in the year.
Temperature Trends During Summer
In Niamey, summer temperatures stay high but shift slowly as the weeks pass.
You’ll notice a steady drop in both daytime and nighttime heat, and cloud cover plus humidity make the heat feel different from early to late summer.
Average High and Low Temperatures
During summer, daily highs in Niamey start near 102°F (39°C) and slide down to about 92°F (33°C) by season’s end.
Nighttime lows cool a bit too, moving from around 83°F (28°C) to 76°F (24°C).
So, while it’s always hot, the difference between June and late August stands out.
The cooling trend helps take the edge off the extreme heat of early summer, but it still feels warm compared to most places.
You’ll rarely see days below 85°F (29°C) for highs or below 72°F (22°C) for lows.
The climate stays hot, but the gradual drop in temperature makes late summer a little more manageable.
Daily and Monthly Variations
Temperature changes in Niamey aren’t just seasonal—they shift daily too.
Days heat up quickly after sunrise, usually peaking by mid-afternoon.
Nights offer only a bit of relief, since the air remains warm and humid.
Monthly averages reveal a clear pattern.
June is the hottest summer month, while August brings the lowest highs.
This cooling lines up with the rainy season, since more clouds and rain limit daytime heating.
Here’s a quick summary:
- June: ~102°F high, ~83°F low
- July: ~96°F high, ~79°F low
- August: ~92°F high, ~76°F low
These shifts are slow, but they do change how you experience the weather month to month.
Notable Temperature Extremes
Even with the averages, Niamey deals with some extremes in summer.
Highs can sometimes spike above 108°F (42°C), especially in early summer before the rains kick in.
At night, temperatures almost never drop below 72°F (22°C), so cool evenings just don’t happen.
The hottest part of the year actually hits in April, before summer, when highs often pass 106°F (41°C).
The coolest period lands in January, with highs closer to 88°F (31°C).
In summer, clouds and rain help take the edge off the worst heat, but things stay consistently hot and humid.
If you’re not used to high heat mixed with muggy air, Niamey’s summer can feel tough.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Niamey goes through a long dry season and a short, intense rainy stretch.
Rain falls mostly in just a few months, and the rest of the year stays almost completely dry.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall in Niamey isn’t spread out over the year at all.
From October to May, the city barely gets any measurable rain.
The wettest period hits between June and September, with July and August seeing the most.
On average, August gets the peak rainfall, often topping 200 mm in a single month.
December, January, and February usually go by without any rain at all.
This sharp split between wet and dry months means outdoor plans really depend on the calendar.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Jan – May | 0–5 |
| June | ~60 |
| July | ~120–150 |
| August | ~200+ |
| September | ~100 |
| Oct – Dec | 0–5 |
You can see how rainfall gets crammed into just three or four months.
Frequency of Wet Days
Rain in Niamey usually falls in short, heavy bursts instead of long, light showers.
You’ll only get a handful of rainy days each month, even when it’s the wettest.
For example, August averages about 12–15 wet days, and July brings around 8–10 days of rain.
By September, wet days quickly drop to about 6–8.
In the dry season, from October through May, you might go weeks or months without a single wet day.
So, while August delivers a lot of rain, the actual number of rainy days is still limited compared to rainier places.
This uneven pattern means heavy storms drop most of the annual rain in just a short window.
Seasonal Rainfall Progression
The rainy season in Niamey creeps in gradually around June, when the first storms roll up from the south.
By July, rain becomes more regular, and August brings the heaviest downpours.
After August, the rain backs off fast.
September still gets some rain, but by October, the wet season ends suddenly.
From then until the next June, you’ll get clear skies and barely any precipitation.
This seasonal cycle follows the West African Monsoon, which shifts north in summer and then heads south again in autumn.
This predictable swing shapes not just the climate but also farming, travel, and daily routines in Niamey.
Humidity and Dew Point Levels
In Niamey, summer brings sharp changes in air moisture.
You’ll go from very dry early on to heavy humidity later, which really affects how hot it feels and how comfortable you are outside.
Relative Humidity Changes
Relative humidity in Niamey swings a lot from early to late summer.
In March, it can dip as low as 19%, making the air feel super dry.
By August, humidity peaks around 80%, which is definitely high.
The West African monsoon drives this rise, bringing more rain and cloud cover.
Through June and July, humidity climbs steadily, and by August, you might really notice the sticky, heavy air.
Here’s a quick look at average humidity:
| Month | Approx. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| March | 19% (lowest) |
| June | 45–55% |
| August | 80% (highest) |
When humidity is low, sweat dries up fast and the heat feels dry—almost tolerable.
When it’s high, your body struggles to cool down, and the same temperature can feel way hotter.
Dew Point Fluctuations
Dew point gives you a better sense of how sticky the air actually feels.
In Niamey, dew points stay low in early summer, often below 15°C (59°F), so even with high air temps, it feels dry.
As the rainy season builds, dew points jump up.
By July and August, they often hit 22–24°C (72–75°F).
At that point, the air feels muggy and uncomfortable, especially during hot afternoons.
You can use these ranges to judge comfort:
- Below 15°C (59°F): Dry, comfortable
- 15–20°C (59–68°F): Noticeable humidity
- Above 22°C (72°F): Oppressive moisture
This rise in dew point explains why late summer heat feels heavier, even when the actual air temperature isn’t much different.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
During summer in Niamey, skies flip between clear and cloudy.
You’ll get long stretches of bright sunlight, but also frequent cloud cover that changes how much sun you actually see.
Cloudiness Trends
In Niamey, summer brings a steady climb in cloudiness.
At the start, skies are pretty clear, but as the weeks go on, the odds of overcast or mostly cloudy days go up.
By mid to late summer, more than two-thirds of the days bring significant cloud cover.
The West African monsoon causes this, boosting humidity and cloud formation.
You might notice mornings start off clear, then clouds pile up as the day goes on.
This can block the sun for hours.
Even with all the clouds, Niamey rarely goes long without any sunlight.
Instead, you get a mix—shady stretches, then bursts of brightness.
Some travelers actually appreciate this, since the clouds can help take the sting out of the midday heat.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Even though clouds roll in more often during summer, Niamey still gets a good dose of sunshine. Most days, you’ll see 6 to 7 hours of direct sun in the cloudiest months.
That’s less than the dry season, when sunshine can top 9 hours, but it’s still plenty for getting outside or exploring.
Here’s a quick look at the average daily sunshine:
| Month | Average Sunshine Hours |
|---|---|
| June | ~8–9 hours |
| July | ~7 hours |
| August | ~6–7 hours |
You might want to plan for a bit less daylight than in winter or spring, but honestly, the sun still shows up reliably. Even August, which is the gloomiest month, stays bright enough for sightseeing or sticking to your travel plans.
Wind Speed and Atmospheric Conditions
As summer settles in, wind speeds in Niamey start to change along with the shift from dry to rainy months. You’ll probably notice the winds feel different—not just in strength, but in direction too, which can really affect your comfort and visibility.
Average Wind Speed in Summer
During summer, winds slow down compared to the winter months. The windiest stretch hits between late November and early April, but by June, July, and August, average speeds drop to around 6–8 miles per hour.
This slower wind makes the air feel heavier, especially when humidity climbs. In the dry season, brisk winds sweep the air clean, but summer breezes don’t do much to cut the heat.
With less wind, dust and sand mostly stay put, unlike during the Harmattan. So, you’ll get calmer days where heat and moisture just kind of hang around.
That’s part of why summer afternoons can feel stifling, even if the temperatures aren’t quite as high as in May.
Typical Wind Patterns
In summer, winds usually come from the southwest. These moist airflows bring the seasonal rains that mark the wet season.
You’ll often spot clouds piling up in the afternoon, sometimes followed by showers or storms, all thanks to these winds.
This southwest flow is totally different from the northeasterly Harmattan winds of the dry months. So, instead of dusty skies, expect more clouds and the occasional downpour.
Because winds stay calmer, rain tends to linger and settle. That can mean short-term flooding in lower areas, so you might need to plan your routes a bit more carefully.
The mix of slower winds and changing directions really shapes what summer feels like in Niamey.
Daylight Duration and Sun Position
Niamey sits pretty close to the equator, so daylight hours don’t swing too wildly throughout the year. The sun climbs high overhead in the summer months, giving you strong midday light and short shadows.
Length of Daylight Hours
You can count on 12 hours to almost 13 hours of daylight during summer in Niamey. The days aren’t as long as in northern places, but they’re steady, which makes planning a bit easier.
June brings the longest days, hitting about 12 hours and 53 minutes. By August, daylight slips to around 12 hours and 33 minutes, but honestly, the change is so slight you might not even notice.
On average, Niamey gets 7 to 8 hours of direct sunshine each day in summer. Cloud cover does pick up during July and August, especially with the rains, so bright sunny hours drop a bit.
Still, daylight stays pretty reliable for getting out and about or sticking to your plans.
| Month | Avg. Daylight | Avg. Sunshine | % of Sunny Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 12h 53m | 8h 22m | 65% |
| July | 12h 49m | 7h 40m | 60% |
| August | 12h 33m | 6h 32m | 53% |
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset in Niamey barely change during the summer. In June, you’ll see the sun come up around 6:20 AM and set close to 7:10 PM.
By August, sunrise shifts to about 6:35 AM and sunset happens near 7:05 PM.
You can expect plenty of daylight for early morning plans and enough light in the evening for getting around safely. That steady schedule actually makes life a bit easier, especially if you’re used to places where the sun jumps all over the clock.
At midday, the sun gets almost straight overhead, hitting angles between 80° and 88° above the horizon. That high position really turns up the heat, especially around noon.
If you’re outside, you’ll probably want to find some shade or take a break during those hours.
Since the daylight hours stay so steady, it’s pretty simple to plan things like tours, market trips, or walks by the river without stressing about the sun suddenly disappearing.