Cameroon, located in West and Central Africa, experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, but the timing and severity vary dramatically across the country. Extending from the coastal Gulf of Guinea northwards toward the semi-arid Sahel region, this extensive geographical scope means its climate shifts significantly, presenting different seasonal patterns in the south compared to the north.
Understanding Cameroon’s Climate Zones
Cameroon’s varied geography is the reason for its diverse seasonal climate, which encompasses several distinct zones. The southern regions fall under an equatorial climate, characterized by consistently high temperatures and abundant moisture. This equatorial influence is largely due to the country’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and prevailing moisture-laden air masses.
Moving northward, the climate transitions into a tropical savanna zone before reaching the semi-arid, or Sahelian, climate in the far north. This north-south gradient dictates the amount of annual rainfall, which decreases significantly the further inland one travels from the coast. While the south is defined by maritime humidity, the north’s climate is dominated by continental air masses, leading to a much more extreme dry season.
The Southern and Coastal Climate Pattern
The southern and coastal regions, including major cities like Douala and the capital, Yaoundé, experience a pattern known as the equatorial bimodal climate. This means the year is broken down into four distinct periods: two wet seasons and two dry seasons. This pattern is driven by the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which passes over the region twice annually.
The long rainy season typically begins around March and lasts through June, bringing a significant amount of the annual precipitation. Following this is a short dry season in July and August, which offers a brief respite from the heaviest rains, although humidity remains high. The short rainy season then returns from September to November, often peaking in October, before the onset of the long dry season. This long dry period usually runs from December through February, when rainfall is at its lowest, though warm and humid conditions persist due to the coastal environment.
The Northern Climate Pattern and the Sahelian Influence
In contrast, the northern regions of Cameroon, such as the areas around Garoua and Maroua, follow a tropical unimodal pattern, which consists of a single, long wet season and a single, intense long dry season. This climate is classified as Sudano-Sahelian, reflecting its proximity to the Sahara Desert. The long wet season generally spans from May or June to October, with August typically being the rainiest month.
The dry season lasts approximately from November to April. This period is defined by the Harmattan, a persistent, dry, and dusty northeasterly trade wind originating from the Sahara. The Harmattan wind drastically lowers the relative humidity, causing desiccation and a characteristic dusty haze that severely reduces visibility. This wind is also responsible for a significant diurnal temperature range, where nights can be relatively cool, sometimes dropping to 62°F (17°C), while daytime temperatures can soar above 100°F (38°C) during the peak of the dry season.