Weather in Freetown

Stay up to date with the latest weather conditions in Freetown. Below is the most current information, detailed forecasts, and useful weather charts to help you plan your time.

Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, has a distinct tropical monsoon climate. This means that high temperatures prevail here year-round, fluctuating only slightly throughout the year. The average annual temperature stays within a comfortable range of 25°C to 28°C, creating the warm and humid atmosphere typical of this West African region.

Two main seasons are clearly defined in Freetown's climate: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season usually lasts from November to April. During this period, especially from January to March, precipitation is virtually absent, and the number of rainy days is minimal. From May, a gradual increase in rainfall begins, reaching its peak in the summer months. July and August are the wettest months, when rainfall is significant and it rains almost daily. From September to October, the intensity of the rains gradually decreases, giving way to drier weather.

Thus, when planning a trip to Freetown, it is important to consider these seasonal fluctuations. Although the temperature remains consistently warm throughout the year, the nature of your holiday can differ significantly depending on whether you choose the dry sunny period or the time of heavy tropical downpours, which bring with them lush greenery and a special atmosphere.

In Freetown, year-round warmth awaits you, characteristic of a tropical climate. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year are minimal: average monthly temperatures vary within a narrow range from 25.2°C in August to 27.5°C in April. Thus, the concept of "cold" is quite relative here. The hottest month is usually April, when the thermometer averages 27.5°C, and daytime highs approach 28.8°C. The "coolest" month, if one can say so in tropical conditions, is considered to be August, with an average temperature of about 25.2°C and a maximum daytime temperature of about 26.2°C.

The period from November to May is characterized by the highest temperatures. It is particularly hot from January to April, when average daytime temperatures hold steady at 27.1-27.5°C, and maximum readings reach 28.6-28.8°C. Nights at this time are also very warm, with minimum temperatures rarely dropping below 25.7-26.2°C. This part of the year coincides with the dry season, offering many sunny days and minimal rainfall, which creates a sensation of hot but relatively comfortable weather thanks to ocean breezes.

With the onset of the rainy season, roughly from June to October, temperatures drop slightly. In the wettest months, July and August, the average temperature is about 25.2-25.4°C, while daytime highs usually do not exceed 26.2-26.5°C, and nighttime lows stay around 24.2-24.3°C. Although these are the "coolest" months of the year, the weather remains very warm and humid. It is important to note that diurnal temperature variations in Freetown are small throughout the year; the difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows is usually only 2-3°C. This means that nights do not bring significant relief from the daytime heat, maintaining a constant feeling of a tropical climate.

In Freetown, there is a clear division of the year into two main seasons regarding rainfall: a pronounced dry season and a prolonged wet season. The transition between these periods happens gradually, but the difference in the number of rainy days and the volume of precipitation is quite significant.

The dry season in Freetown usually covers the months from January to March. During this period, precipitation is practically absent – an average of 0 mm falls, and the number of rainy days is minimal, ranging from 2 to 4 days per month. December (1 mm of precipitation, 9 rainy days) and April (1 mm of precipitation, 8 rainy days) can be considered transitional: the amount of rainfall is still low, but the number of days with rain begins to increase or decrease, signaling the change of seasons.

The rainy season in Freetown begins in May, when rainfall increases to 5 mm, and the number of rainy days reaches 23. The peak of the wet season falls on the period from June to October. During these months, rain becomes a very frequent occurrence. July stands out as the wettest month by volume of precipitation, bringing an average of 28 mm, followed by August with 26 mm. In September, about 20 mm falls. Notably, in July, August, and October, it rains almost daily – an average of 30 rainy days in each of these months. June and September are also very rainy, counting 29 wet days each. Even in November, when the rainy season is waning, precipitation (4 mm) is distributed over 22 days, indicating a continuing high frequency of rain, albeit with a lower total amount of precipitation compared to the peak months.

When planning a trip to Freetown, it is important to consider its tropical monsoon climate with year-round high temperatures and distinct dry and wet seasons. Regardless of the time of year, the foundation of your wardrobe should be light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, and skirts will be most appropriate. Do not forget headgear for sun protection, sunglasses, and high SPF cream, as the sun in Sierra Leone is very active.

In the dry season (roughly from November to April, with peak dryness from January to March), when rainfall is minimal, your luggage should be geared towards hot and sunny weather. Besides light clothing, open comfortable footwear, such as sandals, will be useful. Although the temperature does not drop much at night, a light cover-up or long-sleeved shirt may be useful in the evening or for sun protection during the day.

During the rainy season (roughly from May to October, with particularly intense rainfall from June to September), it is extremely important to be prepared for frequent and sometimes heavy downpours. Be sure to bring a light raincoat or waterproof jacket and/or a sturdy umbrella. Clothing made from quick-drying materials will be an advantage. It is also worth thinking about waterproof shoes or a spare pair, as the streets can be wet. Even in the rainy season, the temperature remains high, so the principle of layering here is not so much for warmth as for adapting to sudden showers – for example, a light waterproof jacket over a t-shirt. And, of course, insect repellent will be useful year-round, but especially during the wet season.