Rainy season in Nigeria
Nigeria’s rainy season follows the West African monsoon. It starts earliest and lasts longest in the south, arrives later in the north, and brings most of the country’s rain between April and October.
Conditions right now
South, middle belt and north
In the south, rains begin around March or April and continue into October or November, with Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta among the wettest places in West Africa. The middle belt around Abuja and Jos has rain from about April to October. In the far north, around Kano, Sokoto and Maiduguri, the season is shorter, usually from June to September, with most rain in July and August.
The August break
Along the south-west coast, including Lagos, rainfall often dips in late July and August before a second peak in September and October. Locals call it the August break. It is a relative lull, not a true dry season, and heavy storms can still occur.
Frequently asked questions
When does the rainy season start in Lagos?
Usually in March or April, with the heaviest rain in June and a second peak in September and October.
When does the rainy season end in northern Nigeria?
Usually in September or early October, after which the dry season and then the Harmattan set in.
Who publishes the official seasonal forecast?
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) releases its Seasonal Climate Prediction early each year, with expected onset and end dates by state.