Sahel Weather Analysis 2003/2004

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Seasonal Vegetation Index - 2003/2004

Seasonal Vegetative Index

Seasonal Rainfall - 2003/2004
in mm

Calculated Rain Line Location Across the Season

River Basin Seasonal Rainfall Analysis
For West Africa
River Basin Rainfall

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Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis
West Africa 2003/2004

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

April 2004 - An early start to the seasonal rains led to well above-normal monthly totals from southern Mali through central and southern Burkina Faso into western Niger (10-120 mm, 200-400% of normal). Seasonably dry weather prevailed over the rest of the Sahel region, although southern Chad started to record light to moderate rainfalls (10-50 mm). Abundant rains fell across the Gulf of Guinea countries (75-200 mm, 90-150% of normal), with the heaviest amounts over southeastern Nigeria and adjacent Cameroon (300-400 mm, 125-150% of normal). There were some dry pockets with less than 50% of normal in southwestern Ghana, southern and western Côte d’Ivoire, northern Liberia, and southeastern Guinea. Temperatures averaged near normal except for about 2 degrees C above normal in western Mali and Guinea. >
April 21-30 2004 - As the ITCZ advanced northward, rains moved deep into Burkina Faso (4-82 mm) as well as into western Niger (1-30 mm). Illustrating how unusual these amounts were for late April, the totals in Burkina Faso exceeded 300% of normal at several locations. Light to moderate rains (10-25 mm) dampened southern Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and northern Nigeria. As expected, heavier amounts covered the Gulf of Guinea countries to the south, with 50 to 100 mm common from Liberia eastward into Nigeria. Excessive totals of 100 to 200 mm drenched the border area between Nigeria and Cameroon.
April 11-20 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel. However, light to moderate rains (3-50 mm; 117-478% of normal) sustained moisture locally over southwestern Mali and across Burkina Faso. In the Gulf of Guinea, moderate to heavy rains (34-113 mm; 101-298% of normal) fell over central Côte d’Ivoire, eastern and southern Ghana, and the southern areas of Togo and Benin. Light rains (1-20 mm;4-78% of normal) fell over interior Ghana, northern Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimate indicated 10-200 mm from central Nigeria southward into the southeastern coastal areas. Dryness continued to prevail over northern Nigeria, western Guinea, and Sierra Leone, while the estimates were about 10-25 mm across eastern Guinea, and 50-150 mm over eastern Liberia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above average across the region, except over the western areas of Senegal and Mauritania, where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees C below normal.
April 1-10 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel, except for isolated light to moderate rains (2-68 mm; 138-714% of normal) locally over southern Mali, western and eastern Burkina Faso, and central Chad. Moderate to heavy rains (19-128 mm; 84-173% of normal) fell over most of Benin, Togo, portions of southern Ghana, and locally over central Côte d’Ivoire. Light rains (3-23 mm; 16-78% of normal) fell over most of northern and central Ghana as well as northeastern Benin. Seasonable dryness prevailed over Guinea. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 10-25 mm over most of Liberia and central Nigeria. Rainfall estimates ranged between 75 and 150 mm over southern Nigeria, while seasonable dryness prevailed to the north and over most of Sierra Leone. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across the region.
March 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of the Sahel. However, light rains (1-32 mm) fell locally over western Mali and western Burkina Faso. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains (56-169 mm; 92-190% of normal) fell locally over southern Côte d’Ivoire and portions of northwestern and southern Ghana. Light rains (2-53 mm; 10-53% of normal) fell over most of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 25-50 mm along the coast of Nigeria, the eastern half of Liberia, and locally over southeastern Guinea. Dry conditions prevailed over Sierra Leone, most of Guinea and most of Nigeria.
March 21-31 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel, except for isolated thunderstorms (3-32 mm; 86-492% of normal) over western and southern Mali. Light rains (1-28 mm; 2-75% of normal) fell over portions of central Côte d’Ivoire, northern Ghana, and most of Togo. Rainfall was heavier (48-129 mm; 94-276% of normal) over southern Côte d’Ivoire, southwestern Ghana, and locally over southern Benin. Seasonable dryness prevailed over northern Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy downpours (75-100 mm) locally over southwestern Nigeria, while estimates ranged between 10 and 25 mm over Liberia. Dry conditions prevailed over Guinea and most of interior Nigeria. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region.
March 11- 20 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel and the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea. Light to moderate rains fell over most of the southern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. The heaviest amounts (28-57 mm; 83-147 % of normal) fell over central Côte d’Ivoire and along the coast from Ghana to Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dry conditions over most of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and northern Nigeria. Estimates were light to moderate (10-25 mm) along the coast of Nigeria. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal over western Sahel (from Senegal eastward to Burkina Faso) and over most areas in the Gulf of Guinea region. They averaged 2 to 3 degrees C below normal over Niger and Chad.
March 1-10 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel. Light to moderate but unseasonable rains (9-50 mm; 141-807% of normal) fell over northern Ghana. Light to moderate rains (22-80 mm; 94-180% of normal) also fell over southwestern Ghana and parts of southeastern Côte d’Ivoire. Light rains (1-15 mm; 5-73% of normal) fell over most of the southern areas of Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated isolated light rains (10-25 mm) over parts of central and southern Nigeria, while dryness prevailed over Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Temperatures average 2 to 3 degrees C below normal across most of the Sahel, except western Senegal and western Mauritania, where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above average. Temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C below average in the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. They were 1 to 2 degrees C below average along the coast.
February 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of the Sahel. However, records show light rains (3-60 mm) over southeastern Mali and western Burkina Faso as a result of showers that fell in the area late in the month. Light to moderate rains (1-135 mm; 3-254% of normal) fell across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonable dryness over most of Nigeria, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, except light rains (1-25 mm) over southwestern Nigeria, southeastern Guinea, and most of Liberia.
February 21-29 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel and in the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. However, unseasonable rains (3-76 mm) fell locally over southwestern Mali, western Burkina Faso, and northwestern Ghana. Moderate to heavy rains (23-135 mm; 125-307% of normal) fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light rains (10-25 mm) over southwestern Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and southeastern Guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region.
February 11-20 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel and in the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. However, dryness resulted in moisture deficit along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, except over southern Cote d’Ivoire, where rainfall amounts ranged between 3 and 46 mm (20-290% of normal). Temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees C above average across the region.
February 1-10 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while isolated light rains fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea at Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that seasonal dryness prevailed over the remainder of the region. Temperatures were 1 to 3 degree C above average over Guinea and Senegal. They were 1 to 2 degree C below average over Côte d’Ivoire.
January 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel and most of the Gulf of Guinea region. Isolated light to moderate rains (25-100 mm) fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea from western Liberia eastward into Nigeria.
January 21-31 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while isolated light rains fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea at Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated that dryness prevailed over Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire. They were 1 to 2 degrees C below average elsewhere.
January 11-20 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while isolated light rains fell over parts of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated light rains over southwestern Nigeria, while seasonable dryness prevailed to the north. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region.
January 1-10 2004 - Conditions were warm and seasonably dry across most of the Sahel. Showers (3-21 mm; 59-308% of normal) developed along the Gulf of Guinea coast. Isolated light showers fell across Senegal and southern Mauritania, which are normally dry in January. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal across western Africa.
December 2003 - Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across the Sahel. Periodic showers (3-89 mm; 10-173 % of normal) occurred along the Gulf of Guinea coast. Average temperatures for December 2003 were 0 to 1 degree Celsius above normal across the region.
December 21-31 2003 - Conditions were seasonably dry, except for a few showers in Guinea. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal across western Mauritania and western Senegal. Temperatures were near normal elsewhere.
December 11-20 2003 - Conditions were seasonable across the Sahel as the dry season continues. Periodic showers (5-49 mm; 36-235% of normal) occurred along the Gulf of Guinea coast. Temperatures across West Africa generally averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal.
December 1-10 2003 - Seasonal conditions prevailed, with dry weather in the interior, although some heavy showers (30-80 mm, 200-300% of normal) struck coastal Côte d'Ivoire and southern Ghana.
November 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of the Sahel. However, spotty light to heavy rains (11-211 mm; 92-172% of normal) fell over pockets of western and southern Mali and southern Chad. Dry conditions also prevailed in the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 25-150 mm over the southern areas from Nigeria westward into Côte d’Ivoire. Moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) fell over Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southern Guinea.
November 21-30 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel. Dryness also prevailed across the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region, while satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (1-75 mm) along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, most of Sierra Leone and Liberia, and over southern Guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above average.
November 11-20 2003 - Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across the Sahel, with the exception of some showers (5-15 mm) across parts of southern Mauritania. Showers and thunderstorms continued across the Gulf of Guinea coast. 10 to 63 mm of rainfall (42-493% of normal) was reported across southern portions of Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicate 25-75 mm of rain fell across Sierra Leone, Liberia and southern Nigeria. Temperatures across most of West Africa averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal.
November 1-10 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the Sahel, except very scattered light rains over western Mali and southwestern Burkina Faso. In the Gulf of Guinea region, scattered light to moderate rains (19-60 mm; 102-407% of normal) fell over southeastern Côte d’Ivoire, southwestern Ghana, central Togo, and central Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 10-75 mm over the southern half of Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and central Guinea. Dry conditions prevailed over the northern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region, except Côte d’Ivoire where rainfall estimates ranged between 1 and 25 mm. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across the region.
October 2003 - Heavy rains eased moisture deficits caused by an early onset of the mini dry season along the Gulf of Guinea coast (78-322 mm; 104-390% of normal). Across southern Nigeria, seasonal rains continued (100-250 mm). Very heavy rains (250-400 mm) soaked the southeastern corner of the country. Further north, wet season rains continued through October across southern Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia, southern Mali and Burkina Faso (9-159 mm; 48-322% of normal). Showers continued across northern Nigeria and southern Chad (10-100 mm), mostly during the first half of the month indicating that the wet season was winding down. The dry season had set in across southern Niger and central Chad. Temperatures across West Africa generally averaged about 1 degree Celsius above normal.
October 21-31 2003 - The wet season persisted across western portions of the Sahel. Wet conditions prevailed across western Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia (5-56 mm; 109-940% of normal) during the last third of October, a time typically within the dry season. Showers also continued across Burkina Faso, southwestern Mali, northern Côte D’Ivoire and northern Ghana (3-48 mm; 42-466% of normal) as wet season rains were reluctant to cease. With the exception of some spotty showers, dry conditions indicate the end of the rainy season across southern Niger, northern Nigeria and northern Benin. Dry conditions prevailed across central and southern Chad, except in the southwest, where light showers occurred (2-12 mm; 36-113 % of normal). Second season rains continued across the Gulf of Guinea coast (4-80 mm; 33-144% of normal). Showers continued across southern Nigeria, with satellite estimated rainfall amounts of 25-50 mm. Heavy rains (100-200+ mm) were indicated across the southeastern corner of the country near the Cameroon boarder. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal across most of West Africa.
October 11-20 2003 - Unseasonably heavy rains of 100 to 200 mm (150 to 300% of normal) hit southeastern Côte d’Ivoire and southern Ghana. Spotty heavy rains (100-150 mm) also struck southern Benin and portions of central and southern Nigeria. As is typical for this time of the year, rainfall amounts decreased toward the north, with generally dry weather over Niger, northern Burkina Faso, and central Mali, and light to moderate rains over the southern Sahel. Temperatures ranged from 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across West Africa.
October 1-10 2003 - Spotty light rains fell across the Sahel as the dry season continued to settle down. Rainfall amounts ranged between 1 and 45 mm (4-62% of normal) across most areas in the Sahel. However, moderate to heavy rains (18-68 mm; 249-368% of normal) fell over eastern Burkina Faso. In the Gulf of Guinea region, light rains (1-27 mm; 1-53% of normal) fell over Guinea, and northern and central Ghana, while moderate to heavy rains (41-146 mm; 96-232% of normal) soaked southwestern Ghana, northern and southern Togo, and southern Côte d’Ivoire. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-50 mm) over Sierra Leone and Liberia. Rainfall estimates ranged from 10 mm over northern Benin and Nigeria to 200 mm in the southern parts of those areas. Temperature departures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C across the region.
September 2003 - Rainfall continued to be abundant over most of the Sahel. Rainfall totals ranged between 59 and 232 mm; 80-272% of normal) over most of Senegal including the ground nut basin, pockets of southern Mauritania, western and southern Mali, southeastern Burkina Faso, southern Niger and southern Chad. However, southern Mauritania, western Niger, and Chad experienced rainfall deficits. Rainfall amounts in theses areas ranged between 3 and 127 mm (9-70% of normal). In the Gulf of Guinea region, below normal rains (2-117 mm; 2-67% of normal) fell over Guinea, locally over central Côte d’Ivoire, southwestern Ghana, northern Togo and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates rainfall estimates suggested that heavy rains (300-400 mm) pounded southeastern and central Nigeria, while other parts of the country received 50 to 150 mm. The estimates also indicated moderate to heavy rains in northern Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
September 21-30 2003 - Light rains or dry conditions prevailed across the Sahel as the season has started to wind down. The exceptions were Senegal, parts of southern Mali, southeastern Burkina Faso, where moderate to heavy rains (11-127 mm; 87-363% of normal) continued to fall. Light to moderate rains also prevailed across the Gulf of Guinea region. Rainfall amounts generally ranged between 7 and 85 mm (24-78% of normal). However, moderate to heavy rains (34-227 mm; 84-381% of normal) fell over pockets of southern Côte d’Ivoire, northwestern and southeastern Ghana, and southern Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (75-150 mm) over western Guinea and parts of central and southeastern Nigeria. Rainfall estimates ranged between 25 and 75 mm in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Temperatures were near normal across the region, except pockets of central Senegal, southern Mauritania, southern Mali and western Niger, where they were 1 to 3 degrees C below normal.
September 11-20 2003 - Heavy rains fell across southeastern Senegal and southwestern Mali (65-96 mm; 116-165% of normal) during the period. Torrential rains pounded much of Ghana’s Northern Region (194-304 mm; 281-447% of normal). Heavy rains were also observed across southeastern Nigeria (100-150+ mm). Elsewhere across the Sahel, seasonal rains (12-95 mm; 30-195% of normal) continued as the 2003 wet season approaches its end. Rainfall was on the increase across the Gulf of Guinea area (21-77 mm; 38-206% of normal) as the second wet season sets in. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees Celsius below average across southern Mauritania, while temperatures averaged about 2 degrees Celsius above normal across the Gulf of Guinea region. Near normal temperatures were reported elsewhere across West Africa.
September 1-10 2003 - Rainfall was moderate to heavy in most of the Sahel. Rainfall amounts were in the range of 54-205 mm (81-181% of normal) from western Mali westward into Senegal. Moderate to heavy rains (19-176 mm; 82-442% of normal) also fell over parts of southern Mali, the eastern half of Burkina Faso, southern Niger, and locally over southern Chad. However, rainfall was below normal over southern Senegal, parts of western and central Mali despite a report of flooding in Timbuktu. Light rains (1-23 mm; 4-70% of normal) fell over most of southern Mauritania, except locally in the southeast where rainfall amounts were about 200% above normal. Rainfall was also light over Central Niger. In the Gulf of Guinea region, very heavy rains (97-241 mm; 133-436% of normal) pounded the southern halves of Benin and Togo, and locally southeastern Ghana. Moderate to heavy rains (36-126 mm; 133-176% of normal) fell over southwestern and east central Côte d’Ivoire. Light to moderate rains (1-58 mm; 1-69% of normal) fell over Guinea. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated widespread heavy rains (75-250 mm) across Nigeria. Rainfall estimates were moderate to strong (25-150 mm) over east central Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, while dry conditions prevailed along the Gulf of Guinea coast line in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across much of the region, except locally over western Senegal, southern Mauritania, southeastern Mali, and southern Niger, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal.
August 2003 - Abundant rains continued across the interior, with amounts ranging from near normal in western Mali and western Chad to 120 to 160 percent of normal from northern and eastern Mali into Burkina Faso, Niger, and northern parts of Nigeria and Benin. Totals for the month ranged as high as 400 mm locally in western Burkina and northwestern Nigeria. Above-normal rains eased long-term rainfall deficits in southern Mauritania, but a small area of below-normal rains persisted in northwestern Senegal. Coastal rains from Liberia eastward across Côte d’Ivoire into Ghana and Nigeria remained below average (15-40 percent of normal). Unusually heavy rains extended deep into the Sahara early in the month, as totals reached as high as 100 mm in far northern Mali. Temperatures were near normal throughout the region.
August 21-31 2003 - Heavy rains of 100 to 200 mm (100 to 200 percent of normal) covered Gambia, southern Senegal and an area extending from southeastern Mali through Burkina Faso into southern Niger and northern Nigeria. Satellite-estimated totals reached as high as 200 mm locally in northwestern Nigeria. Lighter and slightly below-normal rains (25-75 mm, 50-100 percent of normal) dominated agricultural areas in Chad. Rainfall was also below normal (10-40 mm, 10-50 percent of normal) in southern Mauritania and northern Senegal. Northwestern Senegal continued as one of the few areas in the Sahel with below-normal seasonal rainfall amounts. Heavy rains exceeding 100 mm extended from Guinea-Bissau to northern Guinea. Amounts remained light (1-10 mm) along the Guinea coast from southern Liberia through Côte d’Ivoire into Ghana. Cumulative rains since June remained below normal in this area due largely to an early start to the summer dry season. Temperatures across the region were near normal.
August 11-20 2003 - Beneficial rains favored groundnuts and other crops across western Senegal, portions of southern Mauritania and southwestern Mali (21-85 mm; 38-156% of normal). Meanwhile, heavy rains pounded southern Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and northern Guinea (128-182 mm; 93-178% of normal). Locally heavy seasonal rains favored crops across Burkina Faso, northern Côte D’Ivoire, northern Ghana, Togo and Benin (64-159 mm; 79-213% of normal). Seasonal rains also continued across southern Niger, Nigeria, and southern Chad (25-150 mm). Scattered showers fell across southern Liberia, southern Côte D’Ivoire and southwestern Ghana (5-20 mm). Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal across most of the region, except across southern Mauritania and central Mali where temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees below normal.
August 1-10 2003 - Rain storms pounded portions of extreme southern Mauritania, eastern Senegal, southern Mali and Guinea Bissau (80-204 mm; 84-313% of normal) resulting in deadly flooding in Senegal. Seasonal showers (25-100 mm) favored crops and pastures across southeastern Mauritania. Seasonal rains (45-179 mm; 64-300% of normal) were locally heavy across Burkina Faso, southern Niger, northern Nigeria, northern Togo, Benin, and central/southern Chad. Only light, scattered showers (4-19 mm; 12-25% of normal) fell across western Senegal’s Groundnut Basin, increasing moisture deficits. Little, if any rain fell across northwestern Senegal and southwestern Mauritania. Conditions were dry (less than 10 mm of rainfall) across southern Côte D’Ivoire and southern Ghana. Temperatures were 2 degrees Celsius above normal across the Gulf of Guinea region and 2 degrees Celsius below normal across eastern Chad.
July 2003 - Near to above normal rainfall occurred across southern Mali, Burkina Faso, most of southern Niger, northern Nigeria and Chad (100-300 mm; 80-200 % of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicate some very heavy rains fell across portions of southeastern Chad (300-500 mm). July was drier than normal (10-80 mm; 20-60 % of normal) across Liberia, Côte D’Ivoire and western Ghana. Near normal rainfall occurred across western portions of Senegal’s groundnut basin (75-150 mm; 75-120 % of normal). However, the wet season rains were slow to get established across the eastern portions of the groundnut basin (50-100 mm; 55-80 % of normal). July was drier than normal across southern Mauritania (10-100 mm; 50-100 % of normal). More substantial rains typically occur during August in this area.
July 21-31 2003 - The ITCZ surged north during the 10 day period. However, rainfall amounts across southern Mauritania and northern Senegal were light (1-15 mm; 1-21 % of normal). Beneficial seasonal rains continued across Guinea-Bissau, southern Senegal, Gambia, southern Mali and Burkina Faso (5-124 mm; 13-187 % of normal). Seasonal rains continued across central and southern Chad (10-84 mm; 16-92 % of normal). However, satellite rainfall estimates indicate 150-250 mm fell across portions of southeastern Chad which may have caused some flooding. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal.
July 11-20 2003 - Plentiful rains (25-75 mm, 75-150 percent of normal) continued across the Sahel, while moderate to heavy rains (10-75 mm) covered the Guinea coastal region from Côte d’Ivoire eastward into Nigeria. The coastal rain contrasted sharply with the preceding 10-day period, when negligible amounts fell across southern and central Côte d’Ivoire and southern Ghana. Liberia recorded 25 to 100 mm this period, compared to virtually dry conditions during July 1-10. Rainfall continued below normal from Guinea-Bissau southward into northern Liberia, with estimated amounts ranging from 10 to 75 mm. Showers deposited 10 to 50 mm on Senegal’s crop areas, but more rain is needed to make up for the slow start to the rainy season this year. Significant deficits in northern Senegal date back to last year. In Mauritania, which also saw dry weather last year, rainfall was more widespread (10-50 mm) and near to above normal. Locally heavy rains (100-200 mm) fell over eastern Burkina Faso, southern Chad, and several locations in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Temperatures averaged near to slightly below normal across the region.
July 1-10 2003 - Abundant rains covered most of the Sahel region, with amounts ranging from 75 to 150 mm (125-325 percent of normal) in Mali, Burkina Faso, and east-central Chad. In contrast, the rainy season was slow to start in northern and central Senegal, as amounts were mainly in the 10 to 25 mm range in the groundnut basin. Unseasonably light amounts fell from Guinea southward through Liberia and eastward along the coast to Ghana. Amounts were negligible in southern Sierra Leone, Liberia, the southern half of Côte d’Ivoire and southern Ghana. Although a drop-off in rains is expected during mid-summer along the Guinea Gulf coast, the dry spell began unusually early this season. Temperatures across West Africa were generally near normal.
June 2003 - Monthly rainfall was 200 to 300 percent of normal across the northern Sahel, including northern Mali, northern Burkina Faso, most of Niger, and central Chad. Rainfall was generally near normal over the rest of the region. An exception was the western Sahel, as totals were 50 to 80 percent of normal in Gambia, interior Senegal, and southwestern and south-central Mauritania. Amounts were also slightly below normal along the Guinea coast from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria. Temperatures were near normal.
June 21-30 2003 - Mderate to heavy rains spread across the region, with amounts of 50 to 100 mm (150-300 percent of normal) extending from eastern Mali through Burkina Faso, southern Niger, and Chad. Parts of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria recorded similar amounts. In contrast, despite heavy rains in Dakar, most of Senegal, Gambia, and western Mali recorded below-normal totals (0-25 mm, 0-50 percent of normal). The rainy season appeared to have started in Mauritania, as amounts ranged from 10 to 25 mm in the agricultural areas. For the region as a whole, the rainy season has developed generally on schedule, the main exception being the western Sahel, where it has been somewhat slow to get started. Reflecting the widespread rains, temperatures averaged around 1 to 2 degrees C below normal in the central and eastern portions of the region. Readings were near normal in the drier, western parts of the Sahel.
June 11-20 2003 - Most parts of the region experienced a reduction in precipitation amounts as compared to the previous 10-day period when some areas recorded above 400 mm of rainfall. Precipitation anomalies indicated that the rainfall was below normal over most of the region with some areas recording high deficits of over 60 mm. However, light to moderate rains(39-147 mm; 86-159% of normal) continued over the southern parts of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Togo and especially along the coast. Light rains (1-49 mm; 1-98%) occurred elsewhere within the Gulf of Guinea region. In the Sahel, light to moderate rains (1-92 mm; 6-625%) continued over Burkina Faso, the southern parts of Mali, Niger, and Chad. Dry conditions prevailed over northern Chad, central and northern Niger, northern Mali, Mauritania and most of Senegal. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate rains of up to 150 mm over southeastern and northwestern Nigeria and light rains of 1-75 mm elsewhere in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal over most of the region, except over eastern Nigeria and northern Chad where they averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal.
June 1-10 2003 - Rains continued to spread northwards into the Sahel region. Moderate to heavy rains (23-100 mm; 98-450% of normal) fell over Burkina Faso, southern Mali, southern Niger, and southern Chad. Drier conditions prevailed over northern Chad, central and northern Niger, central and western Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. In the Gulf of Guinea region, extremely heavy rains (181-461 mm; 111-264%) fell along the coast of Côte d’Ivoire. Moderate but beneficial rains (48-192 mm; 83-274% of normal) fell over central Côte d’Ivoire, most of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains of 150-300 mm over southeastern Liberia and central Nigeria. Rainfall estimates ranged between 10 and 150 mm over Guinea and Sierra Leone. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal over Nigeria, Chad and southern Niger and 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over most of Mauritania, Senegal and western Guinea.
May 2003 - rainfall was below normal across most of the Gulf of Guinea region. The highest rainfall deficits of up to 147 mm were recorded in Ghana. However, isolated areas along the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, northern parts of Togo and Benin recorded above normal rainfall with totals ranging between 20 and 287 mm (99-134% of normal). In the Sahel, central and eastern Burkina Faso, southern Niger, and southwestern Chad also received beneficial rains. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains of 300-500 mm over southeastern Nigeria and moderate rains (150-300 mm) over southeastern parts of Liberia and Guinea. Estimates also showed light rains over Sierra Leone, while dry conditions generally prevailed over most of the Sahel region except Burkina Faso and southern parts of Mali, Niger and Chad.
May 21-31 2003 - Increased rainfall was experienced in the Gulf of Guinea region as compared to the previous 10-day period. Moderate to heavy rains (54-232 mm; 90-323%) fell over southern Côte d’Ivoire, southern and northern Ghana, and northern parts of Togo and Benin. In the Sahel, most of Burkina Faso, the southern areas of Mali, Niger and Chad continued to experience light to moderate rains (2-104 mm; 5-769%), while seasonable dryness prevailed elsewhere. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (75-250 mm) over eastern Nigeria and southeastern coast of Liberia, while light rains (10-75 mm) were estimated over Sierra Leone and Guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across most of the region except in Chad and Nigeria, where they averaged 3 to 6 degrees C below normal.
May 11-20 2003 - Light to moderate rains (5-102 mm; 45-430% of normal) fell over most parts of Togo, Benin, Ghana and southern Côte d’Ivoire in the Gulf of Guinea region. Light to moderate rains also fell in the Sahel over parts of Burkina Faso, southwestern Mali, extreme southwestern Niger, and southern Chad. The rains were especially widespread and heavier over Burkina Faso, confirming the good start of the seasonal rains in this area. Dryness prevailed over the rest of the region. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains over eastern Nigeria and light to moderate rains over the rest of Nigeria, most parts of Liberia, eastern Sierra Leone and eastern and central guinea. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above normal across the region except over eastern Mali, central Chad, and Nigeria where they averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal.
May 1-10 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (29-123 mm; 58-306% of normal) fell locally along the southern coast of Ghana and southern Côte d’Ivoire. Isolated light to moderate rains (1-42 mm; 2-115% of normal) fell over portions of Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of the Sahel. However, light rains (5-17 mm; 21-75% of normal) fell locally over southern Burkina Faso and southeastern Mali. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region except over Burkina Faso where they averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal and northern Chad where temperatures averaged 4 to 7 degrees C below normal.
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.