Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling coastal metropolis, enjoys a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round. The city experiences a pronounced wet season from April to October and a dry season from November to March. With abundant sunshine, high humidity, and little temperature variation, Lagos is vibrant and lively in every season, offering unique experiences for travellers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Lagos features a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw), marked by two main seasons: a wet season from April to October and a dry season from November to March. Temperatures are consistently warm, with average highs ranging from 28°C in August to 33°C in February and March. Nights are mild, typically between 22–25°C, and the city rarely experiences temperatures below 21°C or above 37°C. March is usually the hottest month, while August is the coolest.
The wet season brings heavy rainfall and high humidity, peaking in June and July when monthly precipitation can exceed 250–360 mm. Rain often comes in intense, short-lived downpours, especially in the afternoons, followed by periods of sunshine. The dry season, influenced by harmattan winds from the Sahara, is characterised by lower humidity, clearer skies, and minimal rainfall – January is the driest month. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 300+ hours per month in the dry season, though cloud cover is common, especially during the wettest months. Winds are generally light to moderate, with coastal breezes providing relief from the heat. Daylight varies little, averaging 11–12 hours throughout the year.
Lagos’ climate supports lush vegetation and vibrant city life. While the wet season can bring flooding and traffic disruptions, it also creates a green, lively atmosphere. The dry season is ideal for festivals, beach outings, and exploring the city’s energetic culture.
| Average climate data for Lagos, Nigeria | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 14 | 42 | 78 | 144 | 203 | 316 | 260 | 114 | 165 | 137 | 54 | 19 | 1,547 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 1 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 103 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
The best time to visit Lagos is during the dry season from November to February, when temperatures are warm, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. This period is ideal for enjoying beaches, festivals, and exploring the city’s vibrant culture with fewer weather disruptions.
The least favourable time to visit Lagos is from June to September, the peak of the rainy season. Heavy downpours, high humidity, and the risk of flooding can disrupt travel plans and outdoor activities, though the city remains lively and green during this period.
Lagos has a tropical savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures (25–33°C) and high humidity. The city has a pronounced wet season from April to October and a dry season from November to March.
The best time to visit Lagos is from November to February during the dry season, when temperatures are warm, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal—ideal for festivals, beaches, and outdoor activities.
Lagos receives most of its rain from April to October, with June and July being the wettest months (up to 360 mm per month). Rainfall is intense but usually brief, often occurring in the afternoons.
Lagos is warm year-round, with average highs of 28–33°C and lows rarely below 21°C. The hottest months are March and April, while August is the coolest. Extreme cold or heat is very rare.
The harmattan is a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara that affects Lagos from December to February. It brings lower humidity, cooler nights, and sometimes reduced visibility, but also clearer skies and pleasant weather.
Lagos is still lively during the rainy season, but heavy downpours and high humidity can disrupt outdoor plans and cause flooding. If visiting between June and September, plan for indoor activities and flexible schedules.
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a hat year-round. For the wet season, bring an umbrella and waterproof shoes. During harmattan, moisturiser and eye protection are useful due to dry, dusty air.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is February (33.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is August (28.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 30.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is March (23.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (21.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 22.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is May (29.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is August (25.3 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 27.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (315.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (14.3 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,546.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (16.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (1.3 days). Over the whole year there are 102.6 days of rain on average.
The months with the longest days, so the most daylight, are June and July (Average daylight: 12 h). The months with the shortest days, so the least daylight, are January, February, November and December (Average daylight: 11.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is April (Average sunshine: 6 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is September (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 4.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are February, March, April, May, August, September and October (UV index: 12). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 10). Over the whole year the average UV index is 11.5.
