The climate of Loango National Park
Loango National Park, situated in
Gabon, is predominantly subtropical according to the Köppen climate classification. It falls under the designation of 'Aw' indicating a Tropical wet and dry or savanna environment. Its geographical position grants it a somewhat consistent weather pattern throughout the year with minor oscillations inherent to seasonal changes.
Analysis of available climate data reveals that temperatures vary minimally throughout the year. The average high temperatures fluctuate from 27°C (80.6°F) to 32°C (89.6°F), and the lows range from 20°C (68°F) to 24°C (75.2°F). Months like
January and
April see the peak of the high temperatures while the lower end of the scale, the coolest months, can be observed around
July.
Rainfall patterns, another significant climate parameter, present more variation. Showers range from abundant to sparse over different months of the year. The park receives as much as 358mm (14.09") of rain during
November, while in July rainfall falls to almost a trace amounting to just 2mm (0.08").
The UV index remains consistently high at a level of 12 for a majority of the year, dropping to 10 around
June and July. Daylight hours tend to remain stable at around 12 hours throughout the year with slight fluctuations. Sunshine hours curiously drop to as low as 2 hours during
August and
September, indicating less direct sunlight and more cloud cover during these months.
The best time to visit Loango National Park
When considering the best time to visit
Loango National Park, the optimal period would undoubtedly be from
June to
September. During these months, the rainfall is minimal, ranging from 2mm (0.08") to 38mm (1.5"), which makes outdoor activities more enjoyable. Although the sunshine hours are less during these months, it does not dramatically impact visibility, and the UV index dips slightly to be less harsh. Furthermore, temperatures during this period are slightly on the cooler side, averaging between 27°C (80.6°F) to 28°C (82.4°F), offering a relative respite from the otherwise constant tropical heat.
The worst time to visit Loango National Park
Conversely, the least recommended period for a visit would likely be the late autumn months, specifically
November. Despite mild temperatures, November sees the year's highest rainfall, clocking in at 358mm (14.09") spread over 20 days in the month. This high amount of rainfall could potentially limit outdoor activities and disrupt travel plans.
Spring weather in Loango National Park
Spring, or the months of
March,
April, and
May in
Loango National Park, are typically characterized by a gradual decline in rainfall. It starts with 238mm (9.37") in March and drops to 123mm (4.84") by May. Meanwhile, temperatures remain stable, with high temperatures peaking at 32°C (89.6°F) in April and a minimum average temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) throughout the period.
Summer weather in Loango National Park
In contrast, the summer season, consisting of the months
June through
August, brings an exceptional drop in rain, going as low as 2mm (0.08") in
July. Temperatures dip slightly with average highs ranging from 27°C (80.6°F) to 28°C (82.4°F) and lows reaching the annual minimum of 20°C (68°F). Despite reduced sunshine hours, the UV index remains relatively high, indicating a strong sun despite the cooler temperatures.
Autumn weather in Loango National Park
As the seasons shift to autumn, encompassing the months of
September,
October, and
November, the park experiences a dramatic resurgence in rainfall. It rises from 38mm (1.5") in September to a whopping 358mm (14.09") in November. Temperatures remain steady with highs ranging from 28°C (82.4°F) to 30°C (86°F) and a consistent lower average of 23°C (73.4°F) across these months.
Winter weather in Loango National Park
Despite being a tropical region, winter in
Loango National Park still offers a significant change in weather conditions come
December. Rainfall decreases to 210mm (8.27"), providing some relief after the intensive autumn showers. Temperatures hover from 23°C (73.4°F) to 29°C (84.2°F), giving a warm yet manageable climate for visitors. Precipitation days drop to approximately 14 days indicating half the month remains relatively dry.
Weather in January
Weather in February
Weather in March
March marks the transition from early to mid-year in
Loango National Park. The weather characteristics during this month seem to closely relate to the conditions experienced in
February. The region receives about 238mm (9.37") of rain, which is relatively higher than the earlier month.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
The weather in the park experiences a minimal shift as the year progresses into
April. Visitors can expect similar weather conditions as previous months, characterized by reliable daylight hours and a consistent temperature range.
Weather in April »Weather in May
The weather characteristics exhibited in
May at
Loango National Park remain fairly similar to the preceding months, save for a noticeable plunge in rainfall. Temperatures, daylight, and sun hours remain virtually unaltered. The ecological system receives considerably less rain, amounting to 123mm (4.84"), marking this month as the start of the brief dry phase.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June brings about further changes in the park's climatic pattern as it approaches mid-year. Compared to the preceding months, June registers a drastic drop in rainfall. A mere 9mm (0.35") of rain is recorded, marking the onset of the dry season in
Gabon's
Loango National Park.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
As the year progresses into
July,
Loango National Park experiences its most parched phase of the year. Rainfall dips even further, receiving only 2mm (0.08") throughout the month. This drastic drop creates an unusual month of little rain amidst a traditionally otherwise rainy locale.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August continues to uphold the dry spell experienced in
July, with only a marginal increase in rainfall, noted at 5mm (0.2"). The climatic conditions experienced continue to be steady across the other weather elements. This consistency in weather attributes ensures that the natural beauty of
Gabon remains on full display.
Weather in August » Weather in September
Weather in October
October brings a marked return to the rain in
Loango National Park, providing the change from previous dry months. There's a significant spike in the rainfall, once again amounting 245mm (9.65"). As a result, the park transitions back into its moist state, resonating well with the typical wet season.
Weather in October » Weather in November
As the year draws to its penultimate month,
November sees further reverberations of the wet season in
Loango National Park. The tempestuous conditions continue with rainfall intensifying to a yearly high of 358mm (14.09"). This makes November the wettest month of the year in the park, dominating the region with regular downpours.
Weather in November »Weather in December
In
December,
Loango National Park still maintains its wet temperament, notwithstanding a slight drop in the quantity of rainfall compared to the preceding month. Rainfall decreases to a still substantial 210mm (8.27"). Temperatures, daily sunshine, daylight hours and UV index all maintain their stable trend.
Weather in December »