The climate of Kangama
Kangama belongs to the Tropical Monsoon climate classification according to Köppen system, denoted as Am. This involves a prevailing climate marked by both high temperature and humidity, combined with significant rainfall throughout the year. Geography-wise, the town is positioned within
Sierra Leone, amidst the majestic mountains.
Monthly average temperatures in Kangama maintain a relatively stable degree, peaking at 36.3°C (97.3°F) and dropping to a minimum of 19.7°C (67.5°F). From
January to
April, temperatures float above 34°C (93.2°F), after which they gradually decrease, reaching its annual minimum of 27°C (80.6°F) in
August. The cooler months extend from August to
November, with temperatures staying under 30°C (86°F). Heat starts picking again in
December, signaling the start of another warm period.
Humidity levels accompany these temperature changes, heightening from 65% at the start of the year to reach a yearly peak of 93% in August. This relationship between humidity and temperature becomes more evident in the mid-year months, where despite the decrease in temperatures, the humidity levels rise.
Rainfall patterns reveal a striking distinction, with the start and end of the year being relatively dry and the middle months being particularly wet.
February witnesses an increase in rainfall from 8mm (0.31") to 13mm (0.51") before a drastic surge takes place in
March, with the downpour accruing to 61mm (2.4"). The rainy spell intensifies, peaking at 296mm (11.65") in August before diminishing towards December’s 10mm (0.39").
Wind behavior proves consistent, averaging between 3.4km/h (2.1mph) to 5.5km/h (3.4mph) annually. Gusts display their strongest push in August, reaching 8.3km/h (5.2mph). Visibility, on the other hand, reduces between
May to
October, the period of highest rainfall and humidity, due to increased cloud cover.
The Best Time to Visit Kangama
For those seeking to explore
Kangama in optimal conditions,
January and
February emerge as ideal times. These months welcome visitors with a warmer climate, lower humidity levels, minimal rainfall, and extended periods of sunshine. The daily average sunshine duration for both months stand at 9.6 and 9.3 hours, respectively. This time of the year also offers the best visibility, extending up to 8km (5mi) on a clear day.
The Worst Time to Visit Kangama
From
June to
September,
Kangama experiences its toughest climatic conditions. The heat cools down to under 30°C (86°F), yet humidity becomes stifling, scaling above 90%. The rain pours relentlessly, causing disruptions and rendering outdoor activities challenging. Sunshine hours shrink drastically, dropping as low as 2.9 hours per day in
August. These months are perhaps better avoided for anyone intending a pleasant trip.
Spring Weather in Kangama
The springtime in
Kangama,
March to
May, is characterized by a steep rise in rainfall, shooting up from 61mm (2.4") to 144mm (5.67"). As precipitation builds, temperatures begin to slightly drop, ranging from 36.2°C (97.2°F) to 32.7°C (90.9°F). Humidity also sees a sharp rise, soaring from 70% to 84%, leading to a damp and wet season.
Summer Weather in Kangama
June extends the unforgiving rain with 171mm (6.73") of precipitation, marking the beginning of a wet summer. The temperature retreats to a cooler 28°C (82.4°F) in
July. Humidity, conversely, shoots up to a peak of 93%, leading to a sweltering environment. The comparatively lower sunshine hours at 3.9 in July further intensify the sense of a rainy and humid season.
Autumn Weather in Kangama
Autumn months, from
September to
November, start to relieve the monsoon influence. Rainfall steadily recedes, dropping from 260mm (10.24") to 104mm (4.09"). Simultaneously, the weather warms up, with average temperatures oscillating between 28.4°C (83.1°F) to 31.3°C (88.3°F). Despite the high humidity levels of around 90% in September, it reduces to 86% in November, bringing a sense of climate transition.
Winter Weather in Kangama
Winter months,
December by local standards, witness a shift in weather to warmer and drier conditions. The temperature climbs to 32.6°C (90.7°F) whilst the humidity drops down to a comfortable 70%. Rainfall settles at a low 10mm (0.39"), becoming the driest month of the year. Moreover, sunshine duration reaches up to 9.1 hours amidst a clear sky with 29% cloud cover, promising delightful weather conducive to outdoor exploration.
Weather in January
Weather conditions in
Kangama,
Sierra Leone start on a moderate note in
January. This first month of the year exhibits typical tropical weather, just a tad warmer than
December's embrace. Noticeably, the amount of rainfall is minimal with only 8mm (0.31") of precipitation, indicating a dry spell.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Subsequent to
January,
February's weather continues to remain on the drier side in
Kangama, much like the preceding month. It is on the higher end of the temperature scale, but a notable feature is the modest rise in rainfall, up to 13mm (0.51").
Weather in February »Weather in March
As
Kangama moves into
March, an observable shift in weather is evident, marking the onset of a wetter season. The amount of rainfall tends to spike, reaching a significant 61mm (2.4"). Sunlight remains almost constant, but there's an accompanying increase in cloud percentage which limits the sunshine hours.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Kangama witnesses further intensification of the rainy season. Rainfall soars to an impressive 88mm (3.46"), and the innate humidity of Kangama gets insuppressible. This significant increase in rainfall distinguishes April from the preceding months.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May introduces
Kangama to its peak monsoon season, marked by its highest recorded rainfall—144mm (5.67"), establishing May as the wettest month. The sky is majorly cloudy, which in turn affects the sunshine hours drastically. Temperature differences between the day and night become more pronounced, maintaining the nighttime coolness that Kangama experiences year-round.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Kangama is governed by the monsoon's command with rainfall touching a substantial 171mm (6.73"). Contrary to the preceding months, temperature gets on the cooler side. The reduced sunshine hours paired with the persistent rainfall lead to a dip in the UV index.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Weather in
July tends to mirror that of
June, making it another highlight of
Kangama's monsoon season. July sees a marked decrease in the temperature along with a significant upshot in rainfall, this time reaching a robust 235mm (9.25").
Weather in July »Weather in August
As
Kangama delves deeper into
August, there's an observable intensification of the already strong monsoon, with the rainfall hitting a record high 296mm (11.65"). The persistent rains embarked in the past months continue unhindered; days grow increasingly cloudy, affecting the duration of sunshine.
Weather in August »Weather in September
In
September,
Kangama starts to slowly exit the monsoon with a decrease in rainfall, now at 260mm (10.24"). The city sees a subtle drop in temperature, accompanied by a slight increase in sunshine hours. September continues to uphold the monsoonal traits with the persisting high levels of humidity and moderate wind speeds.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
The city of
Kangama in
October noticeably transitions from its monsoon cloak as rainfall drops to 200mm (7.87") and the cloud cover decreases. The temperature witnesses an uptick, drawing closer to the warmer months of the year.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November sees a significant drop in rainfall to 104mm (4.09"), indicating
Kangama's tangible move towards the dry season. Subsequently, the temperature tends to hover on the warmer side. Despite the reduced rainfall, the relative humidity stays on the higher side, maintaining the familiar moist, tropical vibe of the city.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Finally,
December brings in the lowest rainfall of the year, signaling the onset of the driest season in
Kangama. But the city doesn't fully transition into the dry phase as cloud cover still dominates the sky, albeit less than the preceding months.
Weather in December »