Mauritania Weather Radar

Mauritania climate

Mauritania is one of the hottest and driest countries in the world, with the Sahara Desert covering more than two-thirds of its territory. The northern regions receive less than 100mm of rainfall annually and experience extreme temperature swings, with daytime highs often exceeding 45°C in summer while winter nights can drop below 10°C. Relentless sand and dust storms sweep across the desert landscape, particularly during the spring and early summer months.

The southern Sahel region receives more rainfall, up to 500mm annually, supporting seasonal grasslands and agriculture. The brief rainy season from July to September is critical for the country's pastoral communities and their livestock. Nouakchott, the capital, sits on the Atlantic coast where ocean influences moderate the extreme desert heat, but the city faces a constant battle against encroaching sand dunes driven by persistent northeast trade winds.

Nouakchott's coastal location gives it a relatively mild climate for the region, with temperatures averaging 25°C in winter and 32°C in summer, though heat waves can push readings above 40°C. The interior cities of Atar and Tidjikja endure some of Africa's most extreme heat, with summer temperatures regularly surpassing 47°C. The Senegal River valley in the far south is the most fertile area, with a tropical Sahel climate that supports irrigated agriculture during and after the monsoon season.