Weather in Douala

Stay up to date with the current weather conditions in Douala. In this section, you will find fresh data, forecasts, and useful charts for planning your time in the city.

The climate in Douala, located in Cameroon, is characterised as tropical monsoon. This means it is warm and humid year-round, with average monthly temperatures ranging from 25°C to 29°C. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year are insignificant, ensuring consistently warm weather.

In Douala, two main seasons are clearly distinguished: relatively dry and wet. The dry season usually falls during the months from December to February, when rainfall is minimal (about 2 mm in January and February), and the number of rainy days drops to 18-19 per month. The wet season, conversely, lasts for most of the year, reaching its peak from June to October. During these months, a significant amount of precipitation falls (up to 15 mm in July), and it rains practically daily, sometimes up to 30-31 days per month, which is typical for July.

Thus, when planning a trip to Douala, it is worth considering the high humidity and probability of rain, especially if your journey falls during the period from March to November. The air temperature remains comfortably warm year-round, but the pronounced rainy season can significantly affect your plans.

The temperature pattern in Douala is characterised by steady warmth throughout the year, though with some noticeable fluctuations. The hottest month is usually February, when the average temperature reaches 28.7°C, and daytime highs can rise to 32.6°C. It is slightly cooler, but still very warm in January and March, with average temperatures around 28.0°C. The "coolest" months are considered to be July and August, when the average temperature drops to 25.5°C and 25.4°C respectively, and nightly lows can reach 23.1°C. Despite these fluctuations, the annual range of average temperatures is small, ensuring constantly warm weather.

The period from December to March can be considered the most sweltering in Douala. During this time, daytime temperatures often exceed 30°C, peaking in February (32.6°C). Nights also remain very warm, with minimum temperatures rarely dropping below 24°C. For example, in January, the average minimum is 24.2°C, and the maximum is 31.8°C. This period also coincides with the drier season, which may make the heat somewhat more bearable compared to the humid months.

From June to October, a "cooler" and very wet season arrives in Douala. Average daytime temperatures during these months stay in the range of 27.7°C (August) - 28.9°C (October), and nightly ones drop to 23.1°C - 23.6°C. Although the temperature remains high, it is noticeably lower than during the peak heat. Diurnal temperature fluctuations in Douala are moderate: the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum ranges from 4.6°C in August to 7.8°C in February. The largest daily temperature variations are observed in the drier and hotter months, while in the height of the rainy season, they level out.

In Douala, a clearly pronounced seasonality of precipitation is observed, dividing the year into a long wet period and a short, relatively dry season. The nature of precipitation is predominantly rain, the intensity and frequency of which vary significantly depending on the time of year.

The wet season in Douala covers most of the year, conventionally starting in March and continuing until November. During this period, the amount of precipitation gradually increases. Already in March, about 6 mm of precipitation falls with 27 rainy days, and in April – 7 mm with 25 rainy days, indicating the start of the season with an increase in rain frequency. The peak of humidity falls during the summer and early autumn months: July is the rainiest month with an average rainfall of 15 mm, with rains occurring practically daily (31 rainy days). June (11 mm, 30 days), August (12 mm, 30 days), September (14 mm, 30 days), and October (13 mm, 30 days) are also characterised by very frequent precipitation, when it rains almost every day. Given the ratio of rainfall amount to the number of rainy days, rains at the peak of the season likely bear a frequent, but not always heavy character.

The dry season in Douala is quite short and falls during the winter months – from December to February. At this time, the amount of precipitation decreases sharply. January and February are the driest months, when on average only 2 mm of precipitation falls. December is also relatively dry with a figure of 2 mm of precipitation. The frequency of rains in these months is significantly lower: in January there are about 18 rainy days, in February – 19, and in December – 22. This means that even in the driest period, short-term rains are possible, but they happen less often and are generally less intense compared to the wet season.

When planning a trip to Douala, it is important to consider its hot and humid tropical climate, which is characteristic of the city year-round. The average annual temperature ranges from 25.4°C to 28.7°C, so the basis of your wardrobe should be light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. This will help you feel comfortable in high temperatures and humidity. Do not forget to bring comfortable walking shoes, preferably water-resistant or quick-drying, as you will be walking a lot, and rains are not uncommon here. Essential companions should also be sunscreen with a high protection factor, a hat, and sunglasses, as the tropical sun can be very active even on cloudy days.

In Douala, the rainy season is clearly defined, lasting approximately from March to November, with peak precipitation and the maximum number of rainy days (up to 30-31 per month) from June to October. In these months, a waterproof light jacket or raincoat and a reliable umbrella will be absolutely necessary. Even in the so-called dry season (from December to February), when rainfall is minimal (about 2 mm per month), there are still between 18 and 22 rainy days, so a compact umbrella will be useful at this time too. Given the high humidity and probability of frequent rains, clothing made of quick-drying materials may prove to be a very practical choice. Also, do not forget to bring insect repellent, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors, particularly in the evening.