vf-tropicom Meteorological Analysis for West Africa
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Seasonal Vegetation Index - 2001/2002

Seasonal Vegetative Index

Seasonal Rainfall - 2001/2002
in mm
Seasonal Rainfall
Calculated Rain Line Location Across the Season
Rain Line Location
River Basin Seasonal Rainfall Analysis
For West Africa
River Basin Rainfall
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Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis
West Africa 2001/2002

From the African Desk, Climate Prediction Center, NOAA
Note: This information should be used with caution.
Weather data are based on preliminary reports.

  • April 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, except for pockets of light rain over western Mali and moderate amounts over western Burkina Faso. Light to moderate rains (16-114 mm; 33-103% of normal) extended across Benin, Togo, Ghana and northern Côte d’Ivoire. Heavy rains (121-200 mm; 120-150% of normal) hit south-central Côte d’Ivoire and southern Ghana. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated very wet conditions (150-300 mm) over central and southern Nigeria, with estimated amounts as high as 600 mm inundating the extreme southeastern corner. Light rains fell in northern Nigeria. Moderate rains (20-100 mm) covered Liberia and southwestern Guinea as light rains dampened western Sierra Leone. >
  • April 21-30 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel, although rainfall was somewhat sparse in the southern Sahel countries for this time of the year. Amounts were mainly below normal over the Gulf of Guinea region except in south-central Côte d’Ivoire (up to 109 mm) and Nigeria. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated very heavy rains over southeastern Nigeria, with totals reaching 300 mm locally near the coast. Amounts exceeded 100 mm over a large portion of the country outside of western and northern areas. Light rains (1-25 mm) fell over southern Mali, southern Burkina Faso, southern Guinea, Liberia, central Mali and Sierra Leone. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above average across the region, except over Mali, northern Niger and northern Chad, where they averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below average.
  • April 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel. However, the rainy season although early, is underway over southwestern Burkina Faso. Rainfall amounts were in the range (21-107 mm; 149-757% of normal) marking the third consecutive week, where rainfall over 10 mm were observed in this region. Moderate to heavy rains (35-94 mm; 84-209% of normal) also were observed over parts of the Gulf of Guinea region, including northern Burkina Faso, southern Togo and southern Benin. Light rains were observed elsewhere. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated light to moderate rains (1-50 mm) over Liberia and Sierra Leone. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above average across the region, except over Senegal, Mauritania, southern Côte d’Ivoire, and southern Ghana, where they were 1 to 4 degrees C below average.
  • April 1-10 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel. However, consistent with the northward migration of the ITCZ, an early onset of the rainy season was observed over parts of western Mali and western Burkina Faso, where rainfall totaled 4-53 mm (124-207% of normal). Over the Gulf of Guinea, moderate to heavy rains (21-95 mm; 102-254% of normal) fell over southern and northeastern Côte d'Ivoire, southern Togo, and southern Benin. Lighter rains (8-17 mm; 28-68% of normal) were observe over northern Côte d'Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (10-100 mm) over southern and central Nigeria. The rainfall estimates were lighter over Liberia and southeastern Guinea, while dryness prevailed over western and central Guinea, and over Sierra Leone. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above average across the region, except over eastern Chad, western Mauritania, and western Senegal, where they were 1 to 4 degrees C below average.
  • March 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, except pockets of light rains western Burkina Faso and western Mali. Light to moderate rains (11-90 mm; 11-78% of normal) were observed across the Gulf of Guinea region from Côte d'Ivoire to Benin. However, an isolated heavy rainfall of 211 mm (193% of normal) was observed southern Côte d'Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-100 mm) over southern Nigeria and lighter rains to the north. Heavy rains (100-200 mm) were estimated over Liberia, while dryness prevailed across Sierra Leone.
  • March 21-31 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and the northern part of the Gulf of Guinea region. However, rainfall deficits (16-40 mm; 49-79% of normal) were observed across central and southern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-75 mm) over southern Nigeria, southern Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, eastern Guinea and much of Togo. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above average across the region, except along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C below average.
  • March 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. Moderate to heavy rains (22-69 mm; 120-207% of normal) extended from Côte d'Ivoire eastward into Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate rains over southern Nigeria and seasonable dryness to the north. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average over the region except in southern Côte d’Ivoire and southwestern Mauritania, where they were 1 to 3 degrees C below average.
  • March 1-10 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the region, except normal to above normal rains (15-87 mm, 83-725% of normal) fell in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Light to moderate rains (1-50 mm) fell in southern Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leon and eastern Guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average over much of the region except Chad and western Mauritania, where temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees C below average.
  • February 2002 - Abundant rains (57-93 mm; 90-325% of normal) fell along the coastal belts of Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, while light rains fell along the coasts of Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates ranged between 25 and 200 mm over southeastern Nigeria. Seasonable dryness prevailed across much of the Sahel. Temperatures were generally 1 to 6 degrees C above normal over much of the region, except Ghana and Chad where readings were 1 to 3 degrees C below average.
  • February 21-28 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel. However, light to moderate rains (14-93 mm, 81-186% of normal) fell along the Gulf of Guinea coast from Côte D’Ivoire to Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness across much of Nigeria, except the southeastern part, where rainfall estimates were in the amounts between 25 and 250 mm). Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average over the region.
  • February 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel region. Isolated light to moderate rains (1-50 mm; 24-60% of normal) fell in western and southern Côte d’Ivoire, southern parts of Ghana, and along the coastal belt of Togo, Nigeria and Benin. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C below average over Chad, Niger, northern Nigeria and Ghana. They averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the central and western Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.
  • February 1-10 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while conditions were somewhat drier and warmer than normal over the southern Gulf of Guinea region. Scattered light rains (1-19 mm; 13-59% of normal) fell along southwestern portions of coastal Côte D’Ivoire, but little rain fell over southeastern Cote d’Ivoire and southern parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, an area that typically sees 5 to 15 mm of rain during this time of year. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C below average across the eastern and central Sahel but 1 to 4 degrees C above average over the western Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea region.
  • January 2002 - Heavy out-of-season rains (27-77 mm) fell over Senegal, Gambia, and southwestern Mauritania during January 11-13. Unseasonable rains (50-150 mm, 300-500% of normal) also fell over eastern Liberia and southwestern Côte d’Ivoire. Light to moderate rains (2-68 mm; 68-450% of normal) fell locally in Guinea, Togo, Benin and western Nigeria. Temperatures were generally 1 to 5 degrees C above normal over the western Sahel, and 1 to 3 degrees C below normal in the east.
  • January 21-31 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the entire region. Temperatures were generally 2 to 6 degrees C above average over Senegal, Mauritania, western Mali and Gambia and near normal elsewhere.
  • January 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over most of the Sahel, while light to moderate rains (1-20 mm, 71-450% of normal) fell over interior parts of central and northern Senegal and southwestern Mauritania, reflecting the tail end of the out-of-season rainfall event that occurred during January 9-11. For the first time during this dry season, no rain fell over the Gulf of Guinea countries from Liberia to Nigeria. This contrasts with the abnormal rains experienced during the preceding 10 days. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average over Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Ghana, Guinea, Togo and Benin. Temperatures averaged 1 to 5 degrees C below normal over the rest of the region.
  • January 1-10 2002 - Near-record heavy rainfall (15-70 mm) for this time of year fell across western Senegal and southwestern Mauritania. Normal 10-day amounts for this area are zero. Unseasonably heavy rains (75-145 mm, 200 to over 1000% of normal) also fell in eastern Liberia and southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, and above-normal rains (25-50 mm, 200-1000% of normal) fell elsewhere in Côte d’Ivoire and also in southern parts of Ghana, Togo and Benin. Temperatures cooled down from the extreme heat experienced in December, but remained 2 to 5 degrees C above average over Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal in Niger and Chad.
  • December 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed in the Sahel and most of the Gulf of Guinea countries while light to moderate rains (1-96 mm, 30-90% of normal) fell locally in southern parts of Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Ghana and Benin. Unusually hot weather extended across the western Sahel, as monthly temperatures averaged 3 to 5 degrees C above normal in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Elsewhere, temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average.
  • December 21-31 2001 - West Africa was hot and dry. Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, but near-record heat extended from Senegal and Mauritania to western Niger and south into the Gulf of Guinea countries. Light to moderate rains (1-30 mm; 50-180% of normal) fell in pockets of Ghana, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire, but most of the coastal countries were dry. Temperatures were generally 3 to 7 degrees C above average, with the most extreme heat (5 to 9 degrees C above normal) in Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, and Mali. Readings rose to as high as 40 degrees C in Senegal.
  • December 11-20 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while light rains fell across the Gulf of Guinea region. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated little or no rain across Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, Togo and Ghana. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average throughout the region.
  • December 1-10 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while light rains fell across much of the Gulf of Guinea region except in isolated areas over southern Côte d'Ivoire and southern Nigeria, where moderate rains (10-63 mm; 41-203% of normal) fell. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness across Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Togo and moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) in southern Ghana. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average throughout the region.
  • November 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while moderate rains (25-100 mm; 28-149% of normal) fell over Côte d’Ivoire and southern Ghana. Temperatures averaged near normal except for Senegal, where they averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal.
  • November 21-30 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while light rains fell across much of the Gulf of Guinea region. Isolated areas over southern and northwestern Côte d'Ivoire measured 10 to 104 mm (144-531% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness across Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Southwest Ghana recorded light to moderate totals (1-100 mm). Light to moderate rains (1-50 mm) also fell in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, according to satellite estimates. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average throughout the region.
  • November 11-20 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while light rains fell across much of the Gulf of Guinea region, except in isolated areas over southern and northwestern Côte d'Ivoire, where rainfall amounts totaled 26-89 mm (110-254% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness across much of Nigeria, except along the coast, where rainfall estimates ranged between 1 and 75 mm. Light to moderate rains (1-50 mm) were also estimated for Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above average.
  • November 1-10 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel with only light to moderate rains (10-21mm: 10-51% of normal) recorded over coastal areas of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. Temperatures averaged 6 to 8 degrees C below normal over Nigeria whereas they averaged 2 to 5 above normal over Senegal, Benin and Ghana.
  • October 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, as the ITCZ continued its southward retreat. Light to moderate rains (20-130 mm; 20-57% of normal) fell across southern areas of the Gulf of Guinea countries and most of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau. Temperatures averaged near normal except for Senegal, where they averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal.
  • October 21-31 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel as the ITCZ continued to retreat southward. Satellite rainfall estimates and surface reports indicated light to moderate rains (10-113 mm; 37-281% of normal) on the periphery of the coastline of Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Nigeria. Mainly moderate rains (25-50 mm) fell over Sierra Leone and Guinea. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C above normal over Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Benin.
  • October 11-20 2001 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel as the ITCZ continued its southward retreat. Light to moderate rains (5-55 mm; 21-69% of normal) were observed across much of the Gulf of Guinea region. However, unseasonable moderate rains (42-44 mm; 153-279% of normal) soaked coastal Côte d'Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-50 mm) across Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Heavier rains (75-150 mm) were estimated over central and southeastern Nigeria. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above average across the region.
  • October 1-10 2001 - Drier conditions continued over most of the Gulf of Guinea countries, with the exception of localized moderate rains over southern Mauritania, northern Côte d'Ivoire, southern Ghana, northern Nigeria, southern Mali and Burkina Faso (50-270% of normal). Southeastern and northwestern Nigeria continued to measure moderate to heavy rains (90-171 mm). Heavy rains of 75 to 150 mm maintained the threat of flooding over southwestern Chad. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees above normal over Senegal, southern Mali, Benin, southern Niger and Burkina Faso.
  • September 2001 - A band of heavy rains (150-300 mm; 73-248% of normal) stretched across the region from Mali, Senegal and Guinea to southern Chad. Generally abundant rainfall has characterized the Sahel growing season this year. Apart from coastal areas of Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, which recorded below-normal rainfall, the Guinea climate zone recorded normal rains. Normal to above-normal heavy rains (250-400 mm) fell in southeastern and northwestern Nigeria. Temperatures averaged near normal across the area save for Senegal and southern Mali, where readings averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal.
  • September 21-30 2001 - The abundant rains recorded during September 11-20 over Senegal, Gambia, southern Mauritania, Burkina Faso, southern Niger and southern Mali gave way to drier conditions, favoring the harvest of crops. Satellite precipitation estimates and surface reports indicated locally heavy rains (100-250 mm) over northwestern and southeastern Nigeria, Benin, northern Togo, Ghana and western parts of Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia. Temperatures averaged near normal across the sub-region except over Mauritania, Senegal and western Mali, where they averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal.
  • September 11-20 2001 - The favorable rainy conditions noted since the beginning of September over Senegal, Gambia and southern Mauritania persisted, increasing the expectation for good crops. Satellite precipitation estimates and surface reports indicated locally heavy rains (100-250 mm) over southwestern Burkina Faso, southern Chad, northern Ghana, northern Côte d’Ivoire and many parts of central and southern Nigeria. Moderate showers (10-88 mm; 58-304% of normal) fell west of the Greenwich meridian from southern Liberia to southern Mauritania and over southern Niger and central Chad. Light showers fell over central Mauritania, central Mali and west Niger. Temperatures averaged near normal across the sub-region except over Senegal, western Guinea and central Côte d’Ivoire, where they were averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal.
  • September 1-10 2001 - Moisture conditions notably improved over Senegal and Gambia. Reports and satellite precipitation estimates indicated that locally heavy rains (117-131 mm; 132-193% of normal) fell over southwestern and west-central Senegal, while light to moderate rains hit the rest of the country. Locally heavy rain exceeding 100 mm struck northern Nigeria, southwestern Chad, and northern Benin. Mainly moderate rains (10-99 mm) fell over Guinea, western Mali, Burkina Faso, southern Niger, northern and central Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Ghana, northern and central Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and southern Chad. According to satellite precipitation estimates, light showers fell over extreme southern Côte d’Ivoire, parts of southern and central Mauritania, central Mali, central Niger and central Chad. Although showers (10-40 mm) eased dryness from southeastern Côte d’Ivoire to southern Nigeria, amounts (1 to 10 mm) remained below normal from southern Liberia to south-central Côte d’Ivoire. Temperatures averaged near normal across the sub-region except over eastern Senegal, eastern Guinea and western Mali, where they averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal.
  • August 2001 - The rains advanced to the 20th parallel over Mauritania and Mali following the northward shift of the western branch of the ITCZ. A band from western Guinea to southeastern Chad recorded heavy rains (150-300 mm; 69-129% of normal). The monthly totals were generally near normal in most parts of the sub-region except for pockets of dryness in Senegal and a dry strip along the Gulf of Guinea coast. Light to moderate amounts (15% to 117% of normal) fell over central and southern parts of the Gulf of Guinea countries. Temperatures averaged near normal across the area.
  • August 21-31 2001 - Locally heavy rains (107-252 mm; 129-257% of normal) hit western Burkina Faso and northwestern Côte d’Ivoire. According to satellite estimates, heavy rains extended to Sierra Leone, Guinea, central Liberia and north-central Nigeria, where flooding was observed around the Kano area. Moderate rains (25-91 mm; 51-154% of normal) fell over southwestern and west-central Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, western Mali, extreme southwestern Niger, central Burkina Faso, northern and central Nigeria, central Côte d’Ivoire and northern parts of Ghana, Togo and Benin. Below-normal rains (15-50% of normal) were mostly limited to northwestern Senegal, central Niger, southwestern Mauritania and the coastal strip running from extreme southern Côte d’Ivoire to southwestern Nigeria. Temperatures averaged near normal across the sub-region, except over Senegal, Guinea and central Mali, where they averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal.
  • August 11-20 2001 - No rain fell over most of northern Senegal, including parts of the groundnut basin, continuing a dry trend that began around August 8. The dry weather, accompanied by high temperatures, rapidly depleted soil moisture. Other parts of the basin recorded up to 25 mm, so conditions varied over short distances. In Mauritania, only some areas in the southeast recorded more than 25 mm, with 10 to 25 mm (less than 60% of normal) falling over remaining agricultural areas. Abundant rains fell elsewhere in the Sahel, with locally heavy rains (100-160 mm; 90-220% of normal) in central Mali, central and northern Burkina Faso, parts of western and central Niger, extreme northwestern Côte d'Ivoire, extreme northern Nigeria and southeastern Chad. Moderate rains (10-86 mm; 51-95% of normal) fell over the remainder of the Sahel region. Light rains (1-25 mm; 2-42% of normal) fell in northern Liberia, central and southern Côte d'Ivoire, southern Nigeria and the southern border between Niger and Chad. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal across the western Sahel, mainly over Senegal and Guinea. Western Mali and southern Burkina Faso saw temperatures average 2 degrees C above normal.
  • August 1-10 2001 - Locally heavy rains (56 - 97 mm; 127 - 198% of normal) soaked parts of the Sahel, including extreme western Senegal, parts of central Mali and northern Burkina Faso, and parts of western and southern Niger. Moderate rains (23 - 108 mm; 80 - 117% of normal) fell over much of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal’s groundnut basin, much of Gambia, much of western and central Mali, western Niger, and central Chad. Light rains (1 - 35 mm; 13 - 56% of normal) were observed over much of the northern Sahel, from western Mauritania eastward to Chad. Rainfall was also light over northern and eastern Senegal, eastern Burkina Faso, and western Chad. Over the Gulf of Guinea region, light to moderate rains (5 - 58 mm; 13 - 77% of normal) fell over much of Côte d'Ivoire and Benin, while drier conditions prevailed over Togo. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated locally heavy rains (75 - 150 mm) over northeast and southeast Nigeria, while the rainfall estimates were moderate (25 - 75 mm) over the remaining of the country. The satellite rainfall estimates were also moderate over Sierra Leone, and light (1 - 25 mm) over much of Liberia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C across much of the Sahel and Côte d'Ivoire. They were 1 to 3 degrees C below average over Nigeria and Ghana.
  • July 2001 - The ITCZ attained a mean position of latitude 19.5 degrees N, which is 0.6 degrees higher than normal. Its highest position in the western Sahel was 21.2 degrees while the eastern Sahel saw 18.7 degrees. Monthly rainfall was generally near normal in the Sahel, with the main exceptions found in Senegal, Gambia, southwestern Mauritania, northeastern Mali, and extreme southeastern Niger (20-70 mm, 20-55% of normal). In West Africa, light to moderate rains (1-100 mm, 38-107% of normal) fell in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southwestern Côte d'Ivoire. Moderate rainfall (70-150 mm, 48-144% of normal) covered southeastern Chad, central Mali, southeastern Mauritania and, in general, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Heavy rains (106-245 mm, 45-194% of normal) fell in southwestern Niger, southern Mali, isolated parts of southern Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and coastal areas of Senegal. Satellite rainfall estimates totaled 200 mm and above south of latitude 12 degrees except under 100 mm near the Gulf of Guinea coast. Temperatures generally averaged near normal but 3 to 4 degrees C above normal in Guinea and 2 to 3 degrees C lower than normal in central Nigeria.
  • July 21-31 2001 - Abnormal dryness persisted in interior areas of Senegal, where amounts ranged from 2-25 mm (4-40% of normal). Heavy rains (148 mm) that struck Dakar failed to penetrate inland, leaving the groundnut basin unusually dry. Dryness also extended to eastern Gambia, with some locations measuring under 25 mm. Dry pockets also persisted in northeastern Mali in the Gao area and near the northern Lake Chad areas of Niger and Chad. Light rains (1-10 mm; 25-35% of normal) fell in central Mauritania and northern Niger. Most locations in the region reported moderate to heavy rainfalls (10-148 mm, 13-706% of normal). Southwestern Niger, southeastern Mali, coastal Senegal and northern Côte d'Ivoire measured abundant rains (103-148 mm, 111-436% of normal). Rainfall estimates from satellite indicated very heavy rains (greater than 200 mm) over the eastern half of Nigeria and moderate rains (25-100 mm) over the western half of Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, amounts continued to be less than expected during this time of the year. Temperatures averaged about 2 to 3 degrees C lower than normal in Chad, northeastern Mali and southeastern Mauritania while southwestern Mali saw readings up to 2 degrees C above normal.
  • July 11-20 2001 - A northward shift of the ITCZ brought important rainfall to northern Senegal, central Mali, central Niger, central Chad, central Sudan and northern Ethiopia. Moderate rains (10-100 mm; 50-296% of normal) fell over Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, northern Guinea, southern and central Mali, central Niger, southern and central Chad, northern Nigeria, northern Togo and Benin. Abundant rains eased dryness in the Lake Chad area and Senegal’s groundnut basin, and advanced northward to cover Mauritania’s agricultural areas. Locally heavy showers (100-200 mm) fell over southeastern Guinea, central Burkina Faso, southwestern Niger and central Nigeria. Satellite estimates indicated dryness in most of Liberia and southern Ghana. The mid-season dry period remained entrenched over Liberia, southern and central Côte d'Ivoire and southern Ghana, while slight rains persisted over southern Togo, Benin and southwestern Nigeria. Central and southern Côte d’Ivoire rainfall totaled only 0 to 10 mm and temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal. Temperatures across the region ranged from normal to 2 degrees C above normal.
  • July 1-10 2001 - Moderate to heavy rain (25-135 mm; 60-447% of normal) fell over southwestern Mali, most of Burkina Faso and southern Chad. Senegal, Gambia, eastern Mali, southwestern Niger, northern Nigeria, most of Guinea, Sierra Leone, northern Ghana, Togo and Benin recorded light to moderate rain (7-42 mm; 25-202% of normal). Rainfall increased over Senegal and Gambia, but amounts remained below normal over interior areas. Rainfall diminished over the Sahelian portion of Chad, with totals under 25 mm for northern crop areas. Seasonably light rains (1-10 mm) fell over most of the Gulf of Guinea Coast. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal over Senegal, southern Mali, southern Niger, southern Burkina Faso and northern Côte d'Ivoire.
  • June 2001 - The rains advanced northward in a timely manner, resulting in near normal amounts for the Sahel region. Moderate rains (40-143 mm; 70-201%) fell over southern and central Mali, southern Niger and Burkina Faso following the northward shift of the ITCZ. Northern Côte d'Ivoire, most of Guinea, Sierra Leone, northern Liberia, northern Ghana and southern Chad recorded similar amounts. Light to moderate rains (30-111; 50-154% of normal) fell over southern and central Senegal and Guinea Bissau. Totals were below normal in the northern and western parts of the groundnut basin in central Senegal. Satellite estimates indicated heavy to very heavy rains (150-400 mm) over Nigeria, southern Benin, most of Togo, southern Ghana, southern Côte d'Ivoire and southern Liberia. Temperatures averaged near normal except 2 degrees C above normal over northern Senegal.
  • June 21-30 2001 - Moderate rain (10-85 mm; 79-263% of normal) fell over central and southern Mali, most of Burkina Faso, southern Niger, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, northern Ghana and Benin, northern and central Côte d'Ivoire and southern Chad. Central and southern Senegal, as well as Gambia, experienced below-normal rainfall (7-82% of normal), with light rain over Senegal’s groundnut basin. Most of Nigeria, southern Benin, Togo, southern Ghana, southern Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia recorded moderate to heavy rain (75-250 mm; 80-337% of normal). Temperatures averaged within 1 degree C of normal, except 2 to 4 degrees C above normal over Senegal and south-central Côte d'Ivoire and 2 degrees C below normal over southeastern Chad.
  • June 11-20 2001 - Moderate rain (10-96 mm; 55-347% of normal) fell over southern Niger, most of Burkina Faso, southern parts of Mali and Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Benin and northern and central Nigeria. Below-normal rains (1-40 mm; 5-80% of normal) fell over Senegal's groundnut basin, Côte d'Ivoire, northern Ghana and most of Togo. Moderate to heavy showers (50-150 mm) struck southern Nigeria, most of Benin and southern Ghana. Locally heavy rains exceeding 100 mm fell over northwestern Nigeria. Near-normal rains (10-52; 92-218% of normal) fell over most of southern Chad, easing rainfall deficits. Temperatures averaged near normal, except 3 to 5 degrees C above normal over Senegal, western Guinea Conakry and northern Benin.
  • June 1-10 2001 - Moderate rain (15-85 mm) fell over south-central Senegal, southern Mali, southeastern and southwestern Burkina Faso, southwestern Chad and most of the Gulf of Guinea coast. Nigeria, Liberia, northern Guinea Conakry and southeastern Burkina Faso recorded heavy to very heavy rain of 100 to 250 mm. Below-normal rainfall, less than 50% of normal, fell over southern Niger, parts of Burkina Faso, central Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and southeastern Chad. Dryness in southeastern Chad has persisted since the start of the rainy season in May. Temperatures averaged within 1 degree C of normal except 2 to 4 degrees below normal over eastern and southern Ghana and north-central Mali. Readings were 2 to 4 degrees C above normal over eastern Senegal and southern Burkina Faso.
  • May 2001 - Monthly rainfall patterns reflect the lagging ITCZ in far western and eastern areas. Moderate to heavy showers (75-200 mm) fell over southern and central Nigeria and over the coast of the Guinea Gulf, but dry weather prevailed over Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Satellite estimates indicated below-normal rainfall in southern Chad, particularly in south-central and southeastern areas, and below-normal rains in extreme northeastern Nigeria and parts of southern Niger. Locally below-normal rains (2-40 mm; 30-60% of normal) fell over central and southern Ghana, central Cote d'Ivoire and eastern Togo. Light to moderate rains (12-66 mm; 25-100% of normal) fell over Burkina Faso, southern Mali, southern Niger and most of Guinea Conakry. Temperatures averaged within 1 degree C of normal, except 2 to 4 degrees C above normal over Senegal and Guinea.
  • May 21-31 2001 - Local heavy to very heavy rain (100-250 mm; 162-242% of normal) fell over southern and central Nigeria, south-central Benin, southeastern and western Ghana and northeastern and eastern Côte d'Ivoire. The remainder of the Guinea Gulf coast recorded moderate rain (15-77 mm). In the Sahel, moderate rain (20-45; 94-249% of normal) fell over southern Burkina Faso and southern Mali. Very light rain (1-2 mm) fell over southern Niger, where the season has been slow to start. Most of Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea Bissau stayed dry, indicating a slow start to the rainy season in this region. Rainfall amounts also remained below normal in southern Chad, according to satellite estimates, as well as in northeastern Nigeria. Temperatures averaged near normal, except 2 to 4 degrees C above normal over southern Ghana, central Côte d'Ivoire, south-central Guinea and most of Senegal.
  • May 11-20 2001 - Locally moderate showers (30-35 mm; 92-130% of normal) fell over southern Benin, southern Togo and southern Côte d'Ivoire. Most of the remainder of the Gulf of Guinea coastal countries saw less than 50% of normal rainfall. Locally moderate showers (12-56 mm; 104-300% of normal) fell in the Sahel region, including southern and western Burkina Faso, southwestern Mali, northwestern Côte d'Ivoire and southern Niger. Seasonable rains (25-75 mm) improved dry conditions in southern Chad. Estimated amounts in Guinea and Sierra Leone were below normal. Temperatures averaged near normal except 2 to 4 degrees C below normal over eastern and southern Ghana and 2 to 4 above normal over southern Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, eastern Côte d'Ivoire, eastern and southern Mali, the Guineas and southern Senegal.
  • May 1-10 2001 - Locally heavy showers (75-150 mm; 100-488% of normal) fell in southern, central and northern Nigeria, southern Côte d'Ivoire, northern Togo and northern Ghana. Most of the Gulf of Guinea Coast, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and southern Mali recorded moderate rain (25-75 mm). The migration of the ITCZ northward promoted light rain (1-10 mm) in southern and western Niger, southern and eastern Mali, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. Four-week rainfall has totaled less than 50% of normal in southwestern Burkina Faso, where the rainy season has been slow to start. Still drier conditions have developed over southern Chad. Little or no rain has fallen so far this season in southeastern parts of the country. This is part of a dry area extending eastward into Sudan. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C below normal over Togo and eastern Ghana and 2 to 3 degrees C above normal over southern Chad, most of Niger, southern Benin, central Côte d'Ivoire, most of Mali, southern Burkina Faso, most of Guinea Conakry and Senegal.
  • April 2001 - Local heavy rain hit the coastal countries, as showers dumped 200 to 300 mm on southern parts of Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. The rains were somewhat slow to advance northward, with southeastern Burkina Faso and parts of northern Ghana, Togo and Benin recording less than one-half of normal amounts. Temperatures during April averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal in northern and southern Senegal but were generally near normal elsewhere.
  • April 21-30 2001 - Parts of the Gulf of Guinea Coast reported above-normal rainfall (63-142 mm; 146-256% of normal), including southern Côte d'Ivoire and southern Benin. Satellite estimates indicated 75 to 150 mm in eastern and central Nigeria, central Benin, central Ghana and northern Côte d'Ivoire. Rainfall remained below normal in extreme northern portions of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, as well as southern Burkina Faso and southern Mali. The seasonal rains edged northward into southern Niger. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal in southern parts of Mali and Burkina Faso.
  • April 11-20 2001 - Rains (1-77 mm) fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and continued to slowly advance northward. Satellite estimates indicated heavier rains exceeding 125 mm fell in eastern Cote d’Ivoire and southeastern Nigeria. Abnormal dryness persisted from northeastern Ghana into northern Benin and southern Burkina Faso. Temperatures remained abnormally high over Senegal, Gambia and Mali, averaging 2 to 4 degrees C above normal. Temperatures averaged generally near normal elsewhere.
  • April 1-10 2001 - Locally heavy showers fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, with amounts in excess of 150 mm striking southern Ghana. In contrast, abnormal dryness persisted over the interior parts of the Gulf of Guinea region and the extreme southern Sahel. Nigeria was an exception, as the seasonal rains advanced into the north during this period. Satellite estimates indicated that southwestern Cameroon also picked up over 150 mm. Temperatures averaged near normal across most of the region, but remained abnormally high over Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and western Mauritania, averaging 1 to 4 degrees C above normal.
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