Chad Weather

Chad climate

Chad is one of Africa's largest countries, spanning from the heart of the Sahara Desert in the north to tropical savanna in the south, creating enormous climate diversity within a single nation. The northern Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti region is hyper-arid, receiving less than 50mm of rainfall annually, while the southern prefecture of Logone receives over 1,200mm. The Tibesti Mountains in the far north reach 3,415 meters at Emi Koussi, the highest peak in the Sahara, where temperatures can drop below freezing despite the surrounding desert.

Lake Chad, once one of Africa's largest lakes, has shrunk by over 90% since the 1960s due to a combination of climate change, drought, and water diversion. The Sahel zone running through central Chad is the most climatically sensitive region, where small changes in rainfall can mean the difference between adequate harvests and famine. Dust storms are frequent across the northern and central regions, particularly during the Harmattan season from November to March, when visibility can drop to near zero.

N'Djamena has a hot semi-arid climate with extreme heat from March to May, when temperatures regularly exceed 43°C before the monsoon arrives. The rainy season from June to September brings welcome relief, though the capital's flat terrain makes it vulnerable to flooding during heavy downpours. Abeche in the east has a similar but slightly drier climate. Moundou in the south is wetter and greener, with a tropical savanna climate and a longer growing season. The Ennedi Plateau in the northeast is one of the most remote places in Africa, with a harsh desert climate but stunning sandstone landscapes carved by ancient water erosion.