vf-tropicom Meteorological Analysis for West Africa
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Seasonal Vegetation Index - 2002/2003

Seasonal Vegetative Index

Seasonal Rainfall - 2002/2003
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 2002/2003

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

  • April 2003 - Rainfall was below normal in central Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, with totals ranging between 12 and 117 mm (16-75% of normal). Heavier rainfall amounts (47-262 mm; 98-167% of normal) were recorded over Benin and Togo. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (150-300 mm) over the southern half of Nigeria, Liberia, and eastern Sierra Leone, while dry conditions prevailed over western Sierra Leone and northeastern Nigeria. In the Sahel, seasonable dryness prevailed in many areas, except Burkina Faso and southeastern Mali, which benefited from an early onset of the rains (21-55 mm; 95-219% of normal) favorable for planting. >
  • April 21-30 2003 - Rainfall was lighter than during the previous 10-day period in the Gulf of Guinea region. However, heavy rains (60-267 mm; 180-422% of normal) fell locally along the southwest coasts of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Light to moderate rains (1-46 mm; 4-183% of normal) fell over Benin, Togo, northern and central Ghana, and central Côte d’Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-75 mm) over Liberia, Sierra Leone, southeastern Guinea, and southern Nigeria, while seasonable dryness prevailed over northern Nigeria. Seasonable dryness also prevailed across the Sahel, except over Burkina Faso, where early rains (16-31 mm; 126-583% of normal) continued to favor planting of long cycle crops. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region.
  • April 11-20 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (45-333 mm; 121-740% of normal) continued over the Gulf of Guinea region, especially over Togo, Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. Light to moderate rains (24-87 mm; 55-265% of normal) fell over most parts of Ghana. These rains spread northward into southern Burkina Faso and Mali indicating to an early onset of the rains in the southern parts of these countries. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-350 mm) over the eastern half of Liberia and Nigeria. Rainfall estimates (25-150 mm) were light to moderate over eastern Sierra Leon and eastern Guinea. Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of the Sahel region. Temperatures were near normal over Togo, Benin, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire while averaging 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the rest of the region.
  • April 1-10 2003 - Seasonable dryness continued across the Sahel, except over southern Burkina Faso and southwestern Mali, where light, but unseasonable rains (8-42 mm; 264-453% of normal) fell. In the Gulf of Guinea region, there was a slight increase in precipitation in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin as light to moderate rains (3-117 mm; 100-662% of normal) fell over these areas. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm) over southern and central Nigeria. Rainfall estimates were smaller over Liberia and northern Sierra Leone. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region, except over Mauritania, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal.
  • March 2003 - In the Sahel, rains advanced unusually far north for this time of year in Burkina Faso, as northern locations reported up to 25 mm for March versus a normal of 2 mm. Nevertheless, rainfall was below normal from Ghana eastward to Nigeria (3-80 mm; 10-60% of normal). Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal in the Gulf of Guinea coastal areas and also in the western Sahel.
  • March 21-31 2003 - There was a slight increase in rainfall over Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Light to moderate rains of 1 to 101 mm (3-339% of normal) fell over these areas and even spread northwards to Burkina Faso. Daily rainfall amounts were as high as 43 mm. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that Liberia and southern parts of Nigeria also experienced some light rains of up to about 50 mm. Seasonable dryness continued across the Sahel and the rest of West Africa. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across most of the region except for some areas in the Sahel, where temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal.
  • March 11-20 2003 - Light to moderate rains of 1-79 mm (3-374%) fell over southern parts of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo while seasonable dryness continued across the Sahel and the rest of West Africa. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C above normal across most of the region except for some few areas in northeastern Sahel, where temperatures averaged 1-3 degrees C below normal.
  • March 1-10 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. Spotty moderate showers (40-43 mm; 152-267% of normal) fell over parts of southern Côte d’Ivoire and along the coast of Ghana. Dry conditions prevailed over Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated dry conditions over Sierra Leone, western Liberia, and the northern half of Nigeria. Rainfall estimates over eastern Liberia and southeastern Nigeria were light to moderate and ranged between 10 and 75 mm. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C above normal across the region.
  • February 2003 - Unseasonably hot conditions dominated across the Sahel during the month of February. Daytime highs in the upper 30’s and lower 40’s resulted in monthly mean temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal. Further south, early rains (25-100 mm) fell across Liberia, Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana and southern Nigeria.
  • February 21-29 2003 - Early season showers moistened topsoils across Liberia and the southern portions of Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Nigeria (6-50 mm; 39-289% of normal). Seasonably dry conditions prevailed elsewhere. Temperatures were unseasonably hot across much of the Sahel. High temperatures in the upper 30’s and lower 40’s across the region resulted in average temperatures that were 2 to 6 degrees Celcius above normal.
  • February 11-20 2003 - Unseasonably heavy rains fell across Côte D’Ivoire and Ghana (25-100+ mm). Lighter showers fell across Togo, Benin and southern Nigeria. Conditions were seasonably dry elsewhere across West Africa. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees above normal across Côte D’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and southern Niger.
  • February 1-10 2003 - Hot, dry weather stretched along the Guinea Gulf coast from Liberia to Nigeria. Showers dampened several locations, but amounts were generally 5 to 15 mm less than typical for this time of year. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal along the coast. Seasonably dry weather extended across the Sahel countries, but temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal.
  • January 2003 - Rainfall was seasonably light, with scattered showers (1-30 mm) along the coast from southern Liberia to southern Nigeria. Temperatures were near normal.
  • January 21-31 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the entire region, with a few light showers (1-3 mm) along the Gulf of Guinea coast. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above average over Senegal, but were within 2 degrees C of normal elsewhere.
  • January 11-20 2003 - Unseasonably heavy rains (10-80 mm) fell across southwestern Nigeria. Occasional showers dampened topsoils across southern Côte D’Ivoire, Togo and Benin. An unusually strong jetstream produced showers in northern Mali. Otherwise, conditions were dry across the region.
  • January 1-10 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the entire region. Temperatures were generally 2 to 3 degrees C above average over Senegal, Mauritania, western Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.
  • December 2002 - Rainfall was seasonably light, with scattered showers (3-30 mm) along the coast from southern Liberia to southern Ghana and no rain to the north. Temperatures in the Sahel averaged about 2 degrees C above normal.
  • December 21-31 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the entire region. Temperatures were generally 2 to 3 degrees C above average over Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
  • December 11-20 2002 - Seasonably dry weather prevailed. Temperatures averaged about 3 degrees C above normal.
  • December 1-10 2002 - Unseasonable rains of 1 to 22 mm hit parts of Senegal, Mauritania, and western Mali. Normal rainfall is 0 mm at this time of the year. Temperatures generally averaged about 2 degrees C above normal across West Africa.
  • November 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea. Light to moderate rains (1-44 mm; 5-103% of normal) fell over the southern halves of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 25-100 mm across Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southern Nigeria, while seasonable dryness prevailed over northern Nigeria.
  • November 21-30 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. Unseasonably moderate to heavy rains (30-285 mm; 127-741% of normal) fell along the coast of Ghana. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light rains across Sierra Leone and Liberia, while dry conditions prevailed over Guinea.
  • November 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. Light to moderate rains (2-29 mm; 15-79% of normal) fell over pockets along the coasts of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region.
  • November 1-10 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel, while in the Gulf of Guinea region, scattered light to moderate rains (27-57 mm; 80-208% of normal) fell along coastal Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 10-50 mm over southern Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and southern Sierra Leone, while dry conditions prevailed in the northern part of the region. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C below normal over much of the Sahel and over Ghana and Togo. They averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over Senegal and Benin.
  • October 2002 - An unseasonably dry month worsened second season dryness across southern Côte D’Ivoire. October rainfall totals ranged from 3- 47 mm (2- 28% of normal). Late season rains (5- 11 mm; 30- 370% of normal) persisted across Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso and southern Mali. Wet season rains ended climatologically late across southern Niger and extreme northern Nigeria with monthly totals of 6- 89 mm (66- 712% of normal). Temperatures across the region averaged 0 - 2 degrees Celsius above normal, except 2 - 4 degrees Celsius above normal across Côte D’Ivoire.
  • October 21-31 2002 - Moderate rains (10 - 47 mm) across southeastern Côte D’Ivoire resulted in some relief from second season dryness. Across southwestern Côte D’Ivoire and southern Liberia, spotty showers (less than 15 mm) provided no significant dryness relief. The region’s second wet season winds down in early November, therefore dryness is raising concerns over second-season crop failures. Showers and thunderstorms (14-119 mm; 35- 321% of normal) prevailed across southern portions of Ghana, Togo and Benin. Conditions were dry across Burkina Faso, northern portions of Ghana and Côte D’Ivoire as the dry season sets in. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 50- 150 mm of rainfall across southern Nigeria, with dry conditions across northern Nigeria. Satellite rainfall estimates indicate 25- 75 mm of rain fell across Sierra Leone and Guinea. Spotty light rains (2- 9 mm; 12- 123% of normal) fell across southern Senegal. Temperatures averaged 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal across Guinea and southwestern Mali. Elsewhere, temperatures were near normal.
  • October 11-20 2002 - Rainfall totals (3-27 mm; 129-500% of normal) were recorded in the Sahel from southeastern Senegal westward into Mali, Burkina Faso, southern Niger and southern Chad. Isolated heavy downpours (101 mm; 486% of normal) soaked parts of western Mali, while seasonable dryness prevailed across southern Mauritania and northern Senegal. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate rains (12-66 mm; 101-209% of normal) sustained soil wetness over Benin and Togo, while isolated heavy showers eased dryness over portions of eastern Ghana. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy showers over interior Nigeria and along the southeastern border with Cameroon, northern Sierra Leone, and along the coast of Guinea. However, below normal rainfall persisted over Côte d'Ivoire. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above normal across the region.
  • October 1-10 2002 - Rainfall totals of 10 to 75 mm (100 to 400% of normal) extended from Senegal to Chad. Isolated amounts reached 100 mm in Burkina Faso and western Niger. In Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia, the moisture was not enough to offset the lack of rain earlier in the season, and several locations have recorded less than one-half of their normal rainfall this season. Excessive amounts as high as 100 mm drenched parts of Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. In contrast, abnormally dry weather persisted in Côte d’Ivoire and along the Ghana coast, as rainfall totals mostly remained under 25 mm. Scattered heavy showers eased dryness over interior Ghana. Rainfall has been well below normal in Côte d’Ivoire and parts of Ghana and Liberia since mid-September. Temperatures were mostly within 2 degrees C of normal.
  • September 2002 - Parts of the Sahel once again experienced rainfall deficits following a resurgence of activity in August. The lightest rains (1-28 mm; 1-51% of normal) fell over northern Senegal and southern Mauritania. Portions of western Mali, western Niger and western Chad also registered below normal rainfall (50-81 mm; 42-69% of normal). However, locally moderate to heavy rains (91-214 mm; 94-164% of normal) fell over central Burkina Faso, southern Niger and southeastern Chad. Below normal rains also fell across the Gulf of Guinea region. Rainfall amounts only ranged between 5 and 44 mm (2-62% of normal) over Ghana, southern Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea, while heavier rains--but still below normal (89-221 mm; 38-80% of normal)--fell over northern Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-100 mm) over Liberia and southern Sierra Leone. The estimates were heavier (150-300 mm) over portions of central and southeastern Nigeria.
  • September 21-30 2002 - Dry conditions or light rains prevailed in most parts of the Sahel as the season has started to wind down. The only exceptions were central Mali, central Burkina Faso, spotty areas over southwestern Mauritania, western Niger and southeastern Chad, where light to moderate (8-54 mm; 88-342% of normal) rains fell. Light rains also prevailed across the Gulf of Guinea region, with rainfall amounts only ranging from 15 to 62 mm (34-93% of normal) over Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that drier conditions prevailed over Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Ghana, while rainfall estimates were moderate to heavy (25-150 mm) over Sierra Leone and portions of central and southeastern Nigeria. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across the region, except over Ghana and southern Chad, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C below average.
  • September 11-20 2002 - Rainfall was quite variable across the Sahel. Moderate to heavy rains (15-117 mm; 81-260% of normal) fell over portions of central Mali, Burkina Faso, southern Niger, southeastern Chad, and extreme western Senegal. However, lighter rains (1-35 mm; 3-74% of normal) were registered over much of Senegal, western and eastern Mali, western Niger, and southwestern Chad. In the groundnut basin of Senegal, only 15-30% of the normal rainfall was recorded compromising further the crop season in this area. Light rains (6-44 mm; 10-63% of normal) also fell across much of the Gulf of Guinea, except locally over central Togo, where rainfall totals ranged from 110-122 mm (83-106 % of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (1-50 mm) over Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana. Rainfall estimates (75-200 mm) were heavier in central and eastern Nigeria. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region.
  • September 1-10 2002 - The ground nut basin of Senegal continued to benefit from needed rains to alleviate the persistent dryness in July and early August as rainfall totals up to 97 mm (135% of normal) were recorded in this region. However, rainfall was below normal (1-54 mm; 5-65% of normal) across northern Senegal, Mauritania, much of Mali and Niger, and central Chad. The exceptions were eastern Burkina Faso, southern Niger, and southern Chad, where rainfall totals ranged between 48 and 189 mm (80-234% of normal). Seasonable dryness prevailed along coastal Gulf of Guinea, while light to moderate rains (4-59 mm; 4-81% of normal) fell over Guinea, northern Togo and northern Benin. However, moderate to heavy rains (33-103 mm; 92-120% of normal) doused central and northern Côte d'Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness in Liberia, moderate rains (10-50 mm) in Sierra Leone, and locally extreme heavy rains (150-200 mm) over central and southeastern Nigeria. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across the region.
  • August 2002 - Heavy rains on August 9 broke the severe dry spell across Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania, but subsequent rains failed to make up for the late start to the rains in August as well as the deficits incurred during July. Monthly totals in Gambia and the main crop areas of Senegal of 100 to 150 mm ranged from 40 to 90% of normal. Totals ranged from 50 to 150 mm over Mauritanian agricultural areas, and these were 50 to 80% of normal in south-central areas and close to normal in the southeast. Heavier totals in Mali exceeding 150 mm for the month were seasonable. Other areas that came up short for the month, recording 40 to 60% of normal, included southeastern Burkina Faso, scattered locations in Niger and northeastern Nigeria. Temperatures for West Africa averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
  • August 21-31 2002 - Rainfall amounts ranging from 50 to 100 mm eased drought in Senegal’s groundnut basin and over Gambia, while 25 to 50 mm fell in southern Mauritania. The totals in Mauritania were generally below normal, and more rain was needed. Moderate to heavy rains of 50 to 100 mm also fell over western Mali. Amounts of 10 to 25 mm were less than 50% of normal over eastern Niger and west-central Chad, and 25 to 50 mm amounts were also below normal over northeastern Nigeria and northern Burkina Faso. Higher amounts during the preceding 10-day period offset the impacts of the below-normal rains to some extent from Burkina Faso to Chad. Satellite-estimated rainfall of 150 to 250 mm inundated central Nigeria. Seasonal dryness continued across coastal areas from Liberia to southwestern Nigeria. Temperatures mostly ranged from 1 to 2 degrees C above normal in the Sahel and averaged near normal in the Gulf of Guinea countries.
  • August 11-20 2002 - The western part of the Sahel, including southern Mauritania and most of Senegal continued to be drier than normal. The ground nut basin of Senegal received only 5-28 mm (6-34% of normal), while rainfall in the District of Casamance (southern Senegal), which is climatologically a wet area was in the range between 0 and 43 mm (0-27% of normal). In Mauritania, not a single drop fell in most of the country, except along the boundary with northeast Senegal, where light to moderate rains (20-70 mm; 46-122%) fell. Moderate to heavy rains (43-99 mm; 87-133% of normal) also soaked pockets of western Mali, northern Burkina Faso, western Niger, and southeastern Chad. In contrast, light to moderate rains (6-50 mm; 8-69% of normal) fell over most of Burkina Faso, eastern Mali, central Niger, and southwestern Chad. In the Gulf of Guinea, light to moderate rains (1-66 mm; 1-79%) fell across much of the region, including Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and northern Benin. The exception was the southern half of Benin, which received 72-199 mm; 90-302% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy downpours (50-150 mm) over northwestern Nigeria and western Sierra Leone, while lighter rains were estimated over eastern Nigeria and over Liberia. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region
  • August 1-10 2002 - Rainfall was quite variable across the Sahel. The ground nut basin of Senegal received some relief as isolated moderate rains of about 90 mm (119% of normal) soaked the District of Kaolack just north of Gambia. Western Mali also received relief from persistent dryness as moderate to heavy rains (62-158 mm; 89-159% of normal) fell over this area. However, below normal rainfall persisted for the 3rd consecutive 10-day period across much of Senegal, southern Mauritania, and central Mali. Light rains (1-40 mm; 1-51% of normal) also fell over parts of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. The exceptions included western and northeastern Burkina Faso, southern Niger, and western and southern Chad, where moderate to heavy rains (60-137 mm; 88-197% of normal) fell. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (38-171 mm; 85-314% of normal) doused Côte d’Ivoire and northern and southern Benin, while satellite rainfall estimates also indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-200 mm) over Ghana, central and northern Nigeria, and the Guinean Highlands. Lighter rains (1-25 mm) were estimated along the western halves of the Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire coastlines. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region.
  • July 2002 - Despite the position of the ITCZ close to the climatological mean, rainfall was far below normal across western Sahel. Rainfall totals ranged between 4 and 138 mm (6-75% of normal) over Mali. The dryness was even more severe over Senegal and southern Mauritania, where rainfall amounts (0-25 mm; 0-16% of normal) were even lower. Burkina Faso was also drier than normal, except for the central part which received averaged rainfall (166-172 mm; 91-94% of normal). However, abundant rains (42-153 mm; 93-125% of normal) were observed over south central and western Niger and over western Chad. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (125-279 mm; 115-143% of normal) fell over pockets of northeastern and southeastern Benin, western Ghana, and northwestern Côte d’Ivoire. Lower amounts of rainfall were recorded elsewhere. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness along the coast of Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, but heavy downpours across Nigeria, where the estimates were 400-600 mm in the southeast. Temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region, except over Nigeria, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal.
  • July 21-31 2002 - Moisture conditions were sustained in the crop areas of the Sahel, including southwestern Chad, Niger, much of Burkina Faso, and southern Mali, as moderate to heavy rains (32-150 mm; 80-223% of normal) doused these areas. However, rainfall was below normal over western Sahel making it the 2nd consecutive 10-day period dryness was observed in this area. Indeed little or no rain (0-54 mm; 0-72% of normal) was observed over central Burkina Faso, much of Mali, Senegal, and southern Mauritania. Below normal rainfall was also observed over the Gulf of Guinea, except northwestern Côte d'Ivoire and northern Benin, where amounts ranged between 80 and 154 mm (123-147% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that dryness prevailed along the Guinea coast. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C above normal across the region.
  • July 11-20 2002 - The seasonal rains advanced northward, providing widespread moisture to most crop areas across the Sahel. Moderate totals of 25 to 50 mm (60-140% of normal) covered Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, with higher amounts (over 75 mm) in southwest Chad and southwest Mali. Western Senegal, western Gambia and most of Mauritania's agricultural region recorded less than 25 mm for the second consecutive 10-day period, so the season is off to a slow start in this region. Satellite estimates indicated over 200 mm in north-central Nigeria and in small pockets of southeastern Nigeria. Drier weather over Liberia and southern Côte d'Ivoire may signal the start of the mini-dry season in this region. Temperatures averaged about 2 degrees C above normal in Mali, Burkina Faso and southern Senegal, with near normal readings elsewhere.
  • July 1-10 2002 - the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) remained nearly stationary during the period resulting in a position which was roughly 1 degree south of normal. As a result, rainfall was spotty and lighter than normal (1-18 mm; 1-34% of normal) across Senegal, The Gambia, extreme southern Mauritania, central Mali, northern Burkina Faso and southwestern Niger. Four-week rainfall totals across parts of southern Senegal range between 50 and 75% of normal, raising concerns over dryness. By contrast, rainfall was near-to-above normal (49-129 mm; 75-228% of normal) across southern Mali, southern and western portions of Burkina Faso and northwestern Côte d’Ivoire. Heavy rains (139-246 mm; 179-303% of normal) doused coastal sections of Côte d’Ivoire and portions of coastal Ghana. Heavy rains also pelted the southern two-thirds of Nigeria, where satellite rainfall estimates indicate 50 to 200+ mm of rain fell. In Chad, normal to above normal rainfall (40-232 mm; 86-252% of normal) fell across east-central and extreme southwestern portions of the country. Meanwhile, the position of the ITCZ resulted in sparse rainfall (0-7 mm; 0-21% of normal) across the Kanem and Batha Prefectures of central Chad. Temperatures across the Sahel were warmer than normal during the first 10-day period of July. Most locations averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal. The exceptions being extreme southern Mauritania and central Mali, where the position of the ITCZ resulted in average temperatures that were 3 to 5 degrees C above normal.
  • June 2002 - Showers spread northward into Senegal, southern Mali and southwestern Niger with the seasonal migration of the ITCZ. Unseasonably heavy rains (up to 50 mm) fell across northwestern Senegal. Wet season rains typically do not begin until mid-to-late July across this part of Senegal. Rainfall totals for the month ranged from 150 to 300 mm (70 to 135% of normal) across coastal sections of Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Nigeria. Rainfall totals ranged from 50 to 150 mm (70 to 120% of normal) across northern Côte d’Ivoire, southern Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. 50 to 100 mm of rainfall (150 to 300% of normal) occurred across southwestern Niger. Across Sierra Leone, Liberia and southern Guinea, rainfall totals for the month of June were less than 50% of normal. Totals ranged from 50 to 200 mm, with typical June rainfall ranging from 250 to 400+ mm. Temperatures across Niger, southern Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire averaged near normal. Across Burkina Faso, June 2002 average temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across northern Nigeria.
  • June 21-30 2002 - Spotty showers (6-24 mm; 14-45% of normal) fell across Poni, Komoe, Houet and Kenedougou provinces in southwestern Burkina Faso, raising concerns about short-term dryness. Beneficial rains (15-62 mm; 41-242% of normal) fell across the remainder of Burkina Faso and across southwestern Niger. Showers (25-100 mm) fell across most of Nigeria. Satellite estimates indicate locally heavy rains (100-150 mm) near the Cameroon boarder. Showers were spotty across northeastern Nigeria. Thunderstorms dropped locally heavy rains (11-72 mm; 59-861% of normal) across central Mali. Locally heavy rains (41-93 mm; 82-159 % of normal) doused portions of southwestern Mali. Moderate-to-heavy rains (12-142 mm; 34-172% of normal) fell across Togo, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. Showers (1-30 mm; 1-19% of normal) were spotty across central and southern Ghana. Across Senegal, showers (6-26 mm; 10-91%) increased topsoil moisture across central and southern parts of the country. Conditions were seasonably dry across northern Senegal. The ITCZ was slightly south of normal across Chad. As a result, shower activity was spotty across portions of east-central Chad. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the sub-region, except across Nigeria and southern Côte d’Ivoire where temperatures ranged from near normal to 2 degrees C below normal.
  • June 11-20 2002 - Rainfall amounts generally decreased in the eastern Sahel and increased in the west. Light to moderate rains (2-76 mm, 7-290% of normal) fell across southern Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and southern and central Chad. Isolated heavy rain (123 mm; 418% of normal) fell in western Mali. Areas of below-normal rainfall included most of Burkina Faso outside of the southwest, southern Mali north of the border area with Côte d’Ivoire, southeastern Senegal, and south-central and southeastern Niger and northern Nigeria. Unseasonably heavy showers hit coastal Senegal (up to 120 mm), apparently indicating the start of the rainy season. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (20-150 mm; 38-159% of normal) fell across southern Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and southern Nigeria, sparking some local flooding. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) in much of Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees C above average in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Togo, Benin and southern and northern sections of Mauritania.
  • June 1-10 2002 - Widespread showers relieved dry conditions over the southern Sahel. Light to moderate rains (4-54 mm; 11-146% of normal) fell in southern Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, southeastern Senegal and southern and central Chad. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (20-224 mm; 58-217% of normal) fell across southern Côte d'Ivoire, central Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Lighter rains (1-18 mm; 6-20% of normal) fell over coastal Senegal. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (75-150 mm) in northwestern Guinea and coastal Liberia. Light to moderate rains (10-75 mm) covered Sierra Leone. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above average across the region, except in coastal Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, where they averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal.
  • May 2002 - Dryness prevailed over the Sahel, except for pockets of light rain over Mauritania and southwestern Niger, with more widespread rains over Mali and Burkina Faso. The rainy season was slow to start across much of the region. Rainfall totaled less than 50% of normal over southeastern and south-central Chad, north-central and northeastern Nigeria, most of Niger, and central Burkina Faso. Moderate to heavy rains (59-179 mm; 40-98% of normal) extended across Benin, Togo, Ghana and northern Côte d’Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated very wet conditions (150-300 mm) over central and southeastern Nigeria, with maximum estimated amounts of 400 to 600 mm in southeastern Nigeria. Moderate to heavy rains (50-250 mm) covered Liberia, but below-normal amounts prevailed from northern Liberia to southern Senegal. Moderate rains fell over southern Guinea and much of Sierra Leone. Heavy rains (200-400 mm) struck central Togo.
  • May 21-31 2002 - Hot and dry weather covered the Sahel, as the ITCZ remained south of normal from Mali to Chad. Isolated showers dotted southern Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, coastal Senegal and Mauritania, but amounts were generally 10 to 30 mm below normal in southern Senegal, southern Mali, most of Burkina, southern Niger, and southern Chad. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (23-130 mm; 69-130 % of normal) stretched across southern Côte d'Ivoire, central Ghana, most of Togo, and the southern half of Benin. Lighter rains (1-20 mm; 3-35% of normal) fell over central and northern Côte d'Ivoire, central Ghana, and central Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) in southern Nigeria. Light to moderate rains (10 to 50 mm) peppered Liberia, Guinea and eastern Sierra Leone. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region, except in eastern Mauritania and northern Niger, where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees below average.
  • May 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel although isolated scattered rains were observed in parts of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (32-175 mm; 92-421% of normal) fell over southern Côte d'Ivoire, central Ghana, most of Togo, and the southern half of Benin. Lighter rains (1-36 mm; 2-89% of normal) were observed over central and northern Côte d'Ivoire, southern Ghana, and northern Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) across southern Nigeria, Liberia, and eastern Sierra Leone. Lighter rains were estimates across Guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region.
  • May 1-10 2002 - Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across the Sahel, except over southern Mali and northern Burkina Faso, where significant rains (12-77 mm; 98-548% of normal) fell. Moderate to heavy rains (39-108 mm; 95-194% of normal) also were observed over parts of central Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, central Togo, and northern Benin, while light rains fell across most of Côte d'Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-200 mm) across southern and central Nigeria, while dry weather prevailed to the north. Moderate to heavy rains (25-100 mm) were also estimated over Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southeastern Guinea. Dry weather prevailed in central and western Guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average across western Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea region. They were 1 to 2 degrees C above average across central Sahel.
  • 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.
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