Climate & Weather Guide in Mauritania

Climate zones, seasonal temperatures, rainfall patterns, and best travel times

Mauritania has an overwhelmingly arid climate, with the Sahara dominating most of the country and a Sahelian transition zone in the south. Current climatology shows mean annual temperatures roughly from 21 to 30 C, with cooler conditions along the northern coast and hotter conditions inland and to the southeast. Annual rainfall is extremely low across the north and center, then increases toward the far south where the rainy season is short and concentrated from June to October. For residents and expats, the main practical issues are heat, dust, water scarcity, and strong seasonal contrasts between the dry north and the comparatively greener south.

Summer Average

28-42°C

Winter Average

17-25°C

Climate Types

Hot desert and Semi-arid and Sahelian

Annual Rainfall

20-400 mm

Sunshine Hours

3,000-3,800 hrs/yr

Average Humidity

20-55%

Regional Climate Variations

Northern Sahara and Coastal Strip

This zone covers the vast northern and western parts of Mauritania, including the Atlantic coast and inland desert areas. It is dominated by hot desert conditions with very little rainfall, strong sunshine, frequent dust, and large day-to-night temperature swings. Coastal locations are slightly moderated by the ocean, but inland areas are harsher and drier. The climate is best suited to people who tolerate persistent heat, dryness, and a highly seasonal, minimalist weather pattern.

Summer:30-42°C

Winter:17-24°C

Very low rainfall

Intense heat, very dry air, and long periods of clear skies; coastal breezes help a little, but the overall feel is still harsh and desert-like.

Central Desert and Inland Plains

The central interior is still strongly arid, but it is generally the hottest part of the country during the warm season. Rain is scarce and unreliable, and most years are defined by prolonged dryness rather than meaningful wet periods. Settlements here must adapt to water stress, sand, and extreme heat, especially before the brief summer rains arrive farther south. For expats, this is a true desert environment with limited climatic comfort outside the cooler months.

Summer:32-44°C

Winter:18-26°C

Very low rainfall

Scorching afternoons, dry winds, and a stark desert atmosphere make this zone feel severe and unforgiving for much of the year.

Southern Sahelian Belt

The far south, especially near the Senegal River basin and border areas, is Mauritania’s most climate-diverse region. It remains hot, but it receives the country’s highest rainfall, with a single rainy season from roughly June to October and a much greener landscape than the north. This zone is more suitable for agriculture and feels more humid in the wet season, though heat still remains a major factor. Residents often find it more livable than the desert core, but also more seasonal and storm-prone.

Summer:29-39°C

Winter:19-27°C

Low rainfall

Hot, dusty, and semi-arid for much of the year, but noticeably greener and more seasonally dynamic than the rest of Mauritania during the rainy months.

Mauritania’s climate is dominated by extreme aridity, with only the far south moving into a semi-arid Sahelian pattern and receiving a short summer rainy season. For residents and expats, the southern belt is generally the most climate-comfortable, while the north and interior demand strong heat tolerance, water planning, and acceptance of very dry conditions.

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