WEATHER
Most of Mauritania (about two-thirds of the country) has a desert climate. Daytime temperatures exceed 38°C in most areas for over 6 months of the year, however the nights are cool. On the coast, the heat is tempered by sea breezes, but the climate is mild only in the northernmost part, which is also affected by a cool sea current. Across the country, the wind can bring sandstorms In Mauritania there three different climate areas: the Desert in the north, the Sahel close to the Atlantic Coast and the Far South.
THE DESERT
Nouadhibou
A cold current flows along the coast, at least for the latitude (in fact we are south of the Tropic). In Nouadhibou, located in the north, near the border with Western Sahara, the air is often mild or pleasantly warm. The daily average is about 20 °C (68 °F) in winter, when there are frequent morning mists, it is still about 24 °C (75 °F) in July, and reaches 26.5 °C (80 °F) in September, which is the warmest month. However, when the wind blows from the desert, the temperature can rise by several degrees and reach 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) in much of the year (except in winter), although these heatwaves are less intense than in the rest of the country. The months when hot days are more frequent are September and October. Rainfall in Nouadhibou is definitely scarce, since it does not even reach 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) per year. The sun shines all year round, though a little less than in inland areas on account of morning fogs and mists. As mentioned, the sea in this northern part of the coast is very cool for much of the year, while it becomes warm enough to swim in from August to October.
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Zouerat and North East
In the northern inland areas, we are in full desert. Here, winter is cooler, with daytime temperatures around 22/23 °C (72/73 °F) in January, while the warmest months are the "canonical" ones, ie July and August, with highs around 40/42 °C (104/108 °F). The hottest area is the north-east, where the temperature in summer can sometimes reach 50 °C (122 °F). The rains are definitely scarce. In Zouérat, located in the north, near the border with Western Sahara, and 350 meters (1,150 feet) above sea level, it almost never rains: in a year, 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain fall, with a maximum of 20 mm (0.8 in) in September. In the desert, the sun shines all year round; however, there is a slight decrease in the sunshine hours in summer, when sometimes there may be some cloudiness
Strong winds can bring sandstorms in the desert
THE SAHEL
The south-central region is that of the Sahel, which, in the summer months, is affected by the northern offshoots of the African monsoon, which brings clouds and rains from the Atlantic Ocean.
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Nouakchott
The Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, located in the central-southern part of the coast, is warm all year round. In winter, from December to February, highs remain around 29/30 °C (84/86 °F), but nights are cool. In addition, the Harmattan, the dry north-east wind, often blows in winter, carrying dust and sand. In March, the temperature increases, though not as much as in the rest of the country, thanks to the influence of the ocean. However, the daytime temperature rises to 34 °C (93 °F) in May and June. Even on the coast, the temperature can reach 45 °C (113 °F) when the wind blows from inland, which can also cause sandstorms. From July to October, the African monsoon reaches southern Mauritania. In this central belt which includes the capital, the effects are limited, however, sometimes a bit of cloudiness and of rain can arrive. Finally, by mid-November, with winter approaching, the temperature starts to decline. The cool sea current has evident effects even at Nouakchott for most of the year, in fact, the sea temperature remains very cool from January to May. On the other hand, from August to October the sea becomes pleasantly warm. East of the capital, owing to the distance from the sea, the heat is more intense for most of the year, apart from the winter months.
In Tidjikja, at 400 meters (1,300 feet) of altitude, the daytime temperature in June is normally about 41 °C (106 °F); annual precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in). In the southern inland areas, winter is even warmer than in Nouakchott: night-time temperatures remain around 20 °C (68 °F) on the coast and drop to 17/18 °C (63/64 °F) in inland areas, while highs are around 28/30 °C (82/86 °F). Here, the heat begins to increase already in February, and in May, highs of 40/41 °C (104/406 °F) are normal, but the summer monsoon is more intense, so much so that rainfall is between 200 and 400 mm (8 and 16 in) per year.
In Nema, 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain fall in August. The combination of moisture and temperature, which remains around 36 °C (97 °F) during the rainy months, makes the heat definitely uncomfortable.
Oases and palm groves are important places in Mauritania
FAR SOUTH
In the far south, along the border with Senegal, the summer rains are even more abundant, so much so that the total is between 400 and 600 mm (16 to 23.5 in) per year. We are still in the Sahel, but in the climatic subdivision called "Sudanese", where even more than 200 mm (8 in) of rain can fall in August, and in the rainy season, the landscape changes, becoming definitely green; in Mauritania, this happens especially in the southernmost region, called Guidimakha.
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Sélibaby
In the extreme south, winter is hot, and daytime temperatures exceed 30 °C (86 °F) even in December and January. Already in February, the temperature exceeds 35 °C (95 °F), while spring is scorching, but then, the decrease in summer is evident. In Sélibaby there are three months with more than 100 mm (4 in) of rain, July, August and September.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Mauritania is winter, from December to mid-February: temperatures are hot in the south and mild in the north, the sun shines and it almost never rains. At night, it can get a bit cold everywhere, quite often in the inland areas of the north, and rarely in the south. In the south, it can sometimes get hot even in this season, but more rarely than in the rest of the year.
In winter, it is possible to swim, even though the sea is a bit cool, and sometimes, the air can be cold, at least at night and in the early hours of the morning.
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The Guetna season
Someone could tell you are crazy to travel in the Adrar regoin in summer. Don't pay attention to this cliché, Sure, from June to August the heat is muffing, with temperatures reaching 45°C, but this is the much-awaited Guetna season, when dates are harvested in the palm groves. In spite of the heat, it's a very festive season and all oases get very lively. During the Guetna, many Mauritanians from the cities return to their tribes and take part to the harvest. There's a congenial, mellow atmosphere, with much socialising, tea and zrig (unsweetened, curdled goat or camel milk) drinking, playing games and dancing. Moreover, there are virtuallu no tourits - the perfect occasion to sample hospitality at its best.
A man in traditional attire
WHAT TO PACK
In winter: for the inland areas, bring light clothing, long and loose-fitting shirts and pants, a scarf for the sand and dust (but you can buy there a haouli, the versatile turban worn by men), sunglasses (even graduated instead of contact lenses), a jacket and a sweater for the evening, especially in the north, and desert boots or sandals. For Nouakchott and the coast, light clothes for the day, a sweatshirt and a jacket for the evening, and a scarf for the sand.
In summer: bring lightweight clothes, long and made of natural fabric (cotton or linen), a desert turban, a sweatshirt for the night, a sleeping bag for night outdoors. On the coast north of Nouakchott, a light sweatshirt; for the south, a light raincoat for the rain showers. It's better for women to avoid shorts and miniskirts.