Nigeria Weather Forecast

Nigeria's climate spans multiple zones from the tropical, humid coast in the south to the semi-arid Sahel in the far north. The country's weather is dominated by the interaction between the moist southwest monsoon from the Atlantic Ocean and the dry, dusty Harmattan wind from the Sahara Desert. The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) migrates across Nigeria seasonally, determining the onset and retreat of the rainy season.

The southern coast around Lagos receives over 1,800mm of annual rainfall with a double-peaked rainy season and relatively consistent temperatures around 27-32°C year-round. Moving north, the climate becomes progressively drier with a single, shorter rainy season. The far north around Maiduguri receives less than 600mm and experiences extreme heat above 40°C before the rains arrive. The Harmattan season from November to February brings dry, dusty conditions with reduced visibility across much of the country.

Lagos is hot and humid year-round with two rainy seasons peaking in June and September. Abuja in the central highlands is slightly cooler with a clearer seasonal pattern. Kano in the north experiences extreme heat before the monsoon arrives, followed by a brief but intense rainy season. The Jos Plateau at over 1,200 meters has one of the most pleasant climates in Nigeria, with cooler temperatures and less humidity than the lowlands.