Benin is characterized by
unusually dry conditions. This is due primarily to two very important factors. First, the
situation of the coast which is rather well protected from the western winds; second, the
Atakora Barrier in the West and North West which decreases the amount of rainfall. The great part of the country is under the influence of transitional
tropical conditions. Rainfall is not as abundant as found in areas with the same latitude
thereby giving rise to tropical conditions known as the BENIN variant. These conditions
are marked by a dry season from November to the beginning of April and a rainy season from
the latter part of April to October.
The Southern portion of the Republic of Benin, i.e. the
Coastal zone, is under the influence of a Northern transitional equatorial climate
characterized by a long dry season from November to the end of March, a first rainy season
from April to July, a small dry period in August and a second rainy season in September
and October. |