Bamako, Mali Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Bamako
Bamako's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 78% of its 28.2 inches (716 mm) annual total arrives in the July to September window, while December averages less than 1 mm. Temperatures move far less: 103°F (39°C) at the year's warmest against 91°F (33°C) at its coolest.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: April - highs near 103°F (39°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 91°F (33°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 109°F (43°C) high · 57°F (14°C) low
- Wettest month: August (23 rainy days) · Sunniest: February (10.8 h sun/day)
- Climate type: tropical wet-and-dry
- Annual swing: 8°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 11°C
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 11
- Average humidity: 48%
Temperatures through the year
Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 11 months of the year, September through July being the unbroken run. January sits at the other end of the year: 91°F (33°C) by day, 65°F (18°C) at night. At its warmest, in April, Bamako runs to 103°F (39°C) in the afternoon and back to 80°F (27°C) by dawn. Rainfall is strongly seasonal: 78% of the annual total falls in the July to September window, leaving December at less than 1 mm.
Rain, sun and snow
Between the average April and the average January lie 8°C, a narrower spread than about 80% of the cities we track. 6 months average under 20 mm of rain, the longest unbroken stretch running November through April. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 109°F (43°C) and the lowest daily minimum 57°F (14°C).
How Bamako compares
- Bamako averages 83°F (28°C) across the year - warmer than any other city in our 3496-city dataset.
- 78% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than any other city in our 3496-city dataset.
- Relative humidity averages 48% - drier than all but 5% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 91° | 65° | 0 | 0.1 in | 10.7 h/day | 11.5 h | 1% | 20% |
| February | 96° | 70° | 0 | 0.0 in | 10.8 h/day | 11.7 h | 0% | 16% |
| March | 100° | 76° | 0 | 0.0 in | 10.7 h/day | 12.0 h | 1% | 20% |
| April | 103° | 80° | 1 | 0.1 in | 10.8 h/day | 12.4 h | 4% | 28% |
| May | 100° | 80° | 5 | 1.2 in | 10.6 h/day | 12.7 h | 17% | 46% |
| June | 95° | 78° | 11 | 3.0 in | 10.4 h/day | 12.9 h | 37% | 64% |
| July | 87° | 74° | 20 | 7.6 in | 9.4 h/day | 12.8 h | 66% | 80% |
| August | 84° | 73° | 23 | 8.7 in | 8.2 h/day | 12.5 h | 74% | 84% |
| September | 86° | 73° | 18 | 5.6 in | 9.4 h/day | 12.2 h | 62% | 83% |
| October | 91° | 74° | 8 | 2.0 in | 10.4 h/day | 11.8 h | 25% | 70% |
| November | 94° | 70° | 0 | 0.0 in | 10.8 h/day | 11.5 h | 1% | 37% |
| December | 92° | 67° | 0 | 0.0 in | 10.7 h/day | 11.4 h | 0% | 24% |
Bamako month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Bamako's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 0 days
- Sunshine
- 10.7 h
- Daylight
- 11.5 h
February
- Rain
- 0 days
- Sunshine
- 10.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.7 h
March
- Rain
- 0 days
- Sunshine
- 10.7 h
- Daylight
- 12.0 h
April
- Rain
- 1 day
- Sunshine
- 10.8 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
May
- Rain
- 5 days
- Sunshine
- 10.6 h
- Daylight
- 12.7 h
June
- Rain
- 11 days
- Sunshine
- 10.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.9 h
July
- Rain
- 20 days
- Sunshine
- 9.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.8 h
August
- Rain
- 23 days
- Sunshine
- 8.2 h
- Daylight
- 12.5 h
September
- Rain
- 18 days
- Sunshine
- 9.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
October
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 10.4 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
November
- Rain
- 0 days
- Sunshine
- 10.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.5 h
December
- Rain
- 0 days
- Sunshine
- 10.7 h
- Daylight
- 11.4 h
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Bamako
March through May
Through March through May, Bamako turns very hot: 101°F (38°C) by day, 79°F (26°C) after dark, and precipitation is sparse, near 1.3 inches (34 mm) for the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.7 hours of sun a day.
June through August
Through June through August, Bamako is hot: 88°F (31°C) by day, 75°F (24°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 54 of the 90 days.
September through November
Through September through November, Bamako brings hot afternoons: 90°F (32°C) by day, 72°F (22°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 26 days across the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.2 hours of sun a day.
December through February
December through February in Bamako is punishingly hot, with daytime highs averaging 93°F (34°C) and nights around 67°F (20°C); precipitation is essentially absent. Daylight is generous - around 10.7 hours of sun a day.
Climate questions, answered
What is the average temperature in Bamako?
How many hot months does Bamako have?
When is the rainy season in Bamako?
How sunny is Bamako?
What should I pack for Bamako?
Best time to visit Bamako
The best time to visit Bamako is generally January to March and May, when the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 94°F (34°C), with rain on about 6 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in January.
Pack for Bamako with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection and rain gear if you travel around August. Even in April, lows of 80°F (27°C) make an extra layer worth the space.
Bamako temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.