Weather in Bamako

Rain is the monsoon runs from June to September, inside an annual total of 1016 mm. The wettest month is August at 296 mm; the driest is December at 0 mm.

Bamako is in Mali at 12.6°N. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a monsoon climate with a sharp wet-dry split. April is the warmest month (average 32.8°C, high 40.1°C) and January is the coolest (average 24.7°C, low 16.1°C). On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are November, December, and January.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are November, December, and January: November (27.3°C average, 3 mm, 40% humidity); December (25.2°C average, 0 mm, 28% humidity); January (24.7°C average, 1 mm, 22% humidity). Those months sit across the year end, so they are listed in season order rather than January-to-December. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you want the monsoon itself — fewer crowds, greener landscape, heavier rain — aim at June–September instead of the score.

Temperature through the year

Monthly average highs run from 33.3°C in January to 40.1°C in April. Nights follow the same curve: 16.1°C in January and 25.6°C in April.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 34.6°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; April nights still hold 25.6°C.

Rainfall pattern

The monsoon in Bamako starts in June and ends in September (June, July, August, and September). August is the core of it at 296 mm. December is the other extreme, with 0 mm.

Humidity peaks near 84%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

Distinctive months in Bamako

The year bottoms out in January. Plan for 16.1°C at night and 33.3°C in the afternoon. Peak heat arrives in April: 40.1°C by day, 25.6°C at night, and 29% humidity. June is when the monsoon typically starts in Bamako: highs near 35.1°C, and rainfall jumps to 145 mm (23 rainy days). July: 31.1°C high, 22.7°C low, 229 mm rain, 77% humidity. August is the wettest month — 296 mm and 30 rainy days, with 84% humidity.

By September the monsoon is ending. Bamako still sees about 191 mm, but the next month is usually leaner. October: 33.5°C high, 22.0°C low, 60 mm rain, 67% humidity. In November, Bamako averages 35.0°C by day and 19.7°C at night, with 3 mm of rain. December is the driest month, averaging only 0 mm across 0 rainy days. Highs sit near 33.6°C.

Bamako and other cities in Mali

Bamako is the only Mali city in this dataset, so the figures on this page are the national sample we publish. They still come from the same NASA POWER daily series (2001–2020) used everywhere else on the site.