Climate au Ghana
Ghana's climate is tropical on the coast (southern part of the country), with pleasant temperatures softened by the presence of the trade winds, while the north of the country enjoys a much hotter and drier climate. The southwest of Ghana - the Ashanti plains and forest - is rather humid and receives during the rainy season (April-September) important rainfall. Temperatures in Ghana vary between 20 and 38°C (30°C in Accra in the dry season, 24°C in the wet season). It should also be noted that every year, around January-February, the harmattan, a dusty wind from the Sahel, comes to disrupt the mild climate of Ghana, and this up to the coast. In order not to suffer too much from the inconveniences caused by this powerful wind, we propose you here a small guide of survival in period of harmattan! But first, let's evaluate which are the best times to visit Ghana!
When to go to Ghana?
While you can travel all year round in Ghana without any problems, it's a good idea to bear in mind that in August the tracks tend to become impassable due to heavy rainfall. However, if you stay on the main paved roads, you'll have no trouble getting around. In terms of temperature and terrain, the end of the rainy season (roughly from mid-September to the end of November) is undoubtedly the best time to enjoy the beauty of Ghana. What's more, with forests and watercourses lavishly watered throughout the wet season, it's even more interesting to visit the national parks: these superb spaces have acquired a new green shell. For example, the Wli waterfalls, which are generously fed, are sublime in October! It's also harvest time, and the cotton fields are in full bloom.
The start of the rainy season is not a bad time either. If the tropical showers of June-July, as brief as they are powerful, are already quenching the thirsty, dry soils - overnight the land is covered with a fragile down of greenery heralding the wet season - they don't get in the way of a visit to the region. The roads and tracks are easy to drive on, and the streams are already swelling. As far as possible, the months of February to April should be avoided: the hot air is almost suffocating and visibility is poor due to the sands and dust carried by the harmattan (December-February).
Harmattan survival guide
Between December and February, Ghana is swept by the harmattan, a northeast wind that comes straight from the Sahara. Very hot during the day and rather cold at night, it blows in gusts reminiscent of the sandstorms of the Sahel, leaving the places where it passes covered with a layer of dust and sand. On the other hand, the advantages of the harmattan are the scarcity of mosquitoes and the record time it takes for your clothes to dry! Here are some tips for surviving the harmattan in Ghana.
Stay hydrated. During the harmattan you will probably sweat less but don't let that fool you: it is essential to hydrate regularly! This will keep your skin healthy. Also remember to moisturize your lips (and your body in general), which tend to dry out during this season: shea butter, almond oil and other balms will be your best allies!
Increase your vitamin C intake. The thermal oscillation can be more than 20°C between morning and afternoon during the harmattan: the temperature can indeed go from 8 to 30°C! The combination of these drastic temperature variations with humidity and dust favors the appearance of diseases. Boosting your immune system can therefore be useful.
Dress for the harmattan. The thermal variation induced by the harmattan will force you to have adapted clothes at hand! Also remember to cover your face (mouth and nose) if you are going to be outside for a long time and exposed to the wind.
