The climate of Koutiala
Koutiala, one of the significant cities in
Mali, is renowned for its tropical savanna climate, classified as Aw under the Köppen climate classification. Being positioned in the West African interior, the city experiences great variations in climate variables throughout the year.
Throughout the year, Koutiala undergoes considerable fluctuation in temperature. The city registers its highest recorded temperatures from
March to
May, surpassing 40°C (104°F), while the lowest recorded temperatures are seen from
December to
February, dipping to around 18.8°C (65.8°F). Humidity follows an ascending pattern, starting at 14% at the onset of the year and reaching its zenith at 76% in
August.
Rainfall data points out interesting dynamics. The city witnesses a gradual rise in rainfall from
January, with a serious uptick observed in
June. The high-rainfall duration reaches its climax in August, with a whopping 148mm (5.83") recorded, before starting to taper off from
September onwards. The wind pattern around Koutiala depicts consistency, with the speed fluctuating moderately between 7.3km/h (4.5mph) to 11.1km/h (6.9mph).
The presence of clouds over Koutiala sees an increasing trend from January to August before falling, with the annual high recorded in August at 41%. Moreover, the visibility remains relatively constant, hovering around 10km (6.2mi) throughout the year, except from August to
October when it slightly drops to 9km (5.6mi).
The best time to visit Koutiala
For visitors seeking to explore
Koutiala, the stretch between
November and
February could be ideal. During this period, the city enjoys a mix of moderate temperatures, decreased rainfall, and impressive visibility, making outdoor activities and explorations enjoyable. Moreover, the relative humidity during this period is also on the lower side compared to other months, ensuring comfortable weather.
The worst time to visit Koutiala
Travelers may well want to avoid the period from
June to
August, as this is when the city is subject to its highest rainfall levels, reaching up to 148mm (5.83") in August. High humidity levels, often exceeding 60%, along with reduced visibility could also hamper outdoor exploration during this time.
Spring weather in Koutiala
Spring, from
March to
May in
Koutiala, is characterized by soaring temperatures, with the city registering average highs of 40°C (104°F). Precipitation is modest during this season, ranging from 1mm (0.04") to 16mm (0.63"). The average hours of sunshine are impressive in spring, averaging 10h in March and May, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Summer weather in Koutiala
The arrival of summer in
Koutiala, between
June and
August, sees a substantial increase in precipitation, which peaks in August with an average of 148mm (5.83") of rainfall. The months also witness an upsurge in humidity levels which can reach up to 76% in August. Despite high rainfall, the city still enjoys ample sunlight with 11.6h of sun in June, decreasing to 8.1h by August.
Autumn weather in Koutiala
Autumn, from
September to
November, brings a cooling effect to
Koutiala. Gradual temperature decline can be noticed, along with reduction in rainfall. Sunshine hours remain satisfactory in these months, hovering around 8.8h in September and 7.7h in November.
Winter weather in Koutiala
In
Koutiala, winter is from
December to
February. Compared to other seasons, the winter months bring a significant decrease in temperature, with average temperatures of approximately 19.4°C (66.9°F) being noted in December. Rainfall reaches its annual minimum during these months, while daylight and sunshine hours remain relatively constant, allowing for optimal visibility.
Weather in January
Being the first month of the year in
Koutiala,
Mali,
January sees the lowest relative humidity, namely 14%. The city experiences hot yet generally comfortable temperatures. As days become longer, the amount of sunshine increases, making outdoor pursuits favorable.
Weather in January »Weather in February
February in
Koutiala brings a subtle shift in weather. The mercury slightly rises and rainfall remains minimal, reflecting a continuation of the city's dry season. Days are sunnier as clear skies dominate the month. The city maintains good visibility even as wind speeds heighten slightly.
Weather in February » Weather in March
March signals the onset of noticeably warmer temperatures in
Koutiala,
Mali, with minimums and maximums ranging from 24.8°C (76.6°F) to 40.3°C (104.5°F). A minor increase in relative humidity accompanies the intensifying heat.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
As the year advances,
April sees the biggest jump in both minimum and maximum temperature in
Koutiala. Coinciding with longer days and an increase in relative humidity, the increase in temperature becomes more perceptible. Despite experiencing about four half-days of rainfall, the arid nature of the region gets slightly mitigated.
Weather in April »Weather in May
In
May,
Koutiala witnesses the highest minimum temperature of the year, registering at 28.8°C (83.8°F). Transitioning towards the wet season, a significant increase in rainfall can be observed which aligns with the rising humidity levels.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June introduces the wet season to
Koutiala,
Mali with precipitation peaking at 36mm (1.42"). While temperatures start to drop marginally, humidity peaks at 44%, the highest mark yet in the year. Though the length of the day remains almost unchanged, the number of sunny days experiences a dip.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July signifies the wettest month in
Koutiala with the highest recorded rainfall, amounting to 93mm (3.66") over 17 days. Concurrently, it boasts the lowest number of sunny days with an average of 8.9 hours per day. The high humidity levels seem to linger, triggering a cooler atmosphere.
Weather in July » Weather in August
Weather conditions in
August carry forward from
July, making it the second-wettest month with 148mm (5.83") of rain falling across 21 days. The elevated humidity, coupled with reduced temperature highs, brings a certain chill to the air.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September sees a significant decrease in rainfall to 55mm (2.17"), indicating an end to the heavy downpours in
Koutiala,
Mali. With this decline in precipitation comes a drop in humidity levels. Sunshine hours remain comparatively low, but the number of sunny days increases significantly, restoring the city's bright outlook.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October welcomes back the city's drier phase with only 17mm (0.67") of rainfall. As the temperature begins to rise and humidity falls, an overall drier atmosphere is evident. A palpable increase in the number of sunny days can be observed, suggesting an augmentation in overall brightness.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Koutiala perceives a substantial slash in rainfall, dropping to a mere 1mm (0.04"). Falling humidity levels accompany the declining precipitation, reinforcing the dry environment. Brightness prevails as the number of sunny days peak, albeit with shorter daylight hours.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Weather patterns in
December reflect those in
January, winding up the year on a relatively identical note. The standout feature is a complete absence of rainfall. A downward trend in temperature is noticeable, and the dry climate gets complemented by lowered humidity levels.
Weather in December »