About Western Sahara

Sara and John say...

The clue is in the name - this is a dry country.

For much of the year the weather is sunny and, across inland areas, temperatures are high, even in the winter months. Here, although nights are cool, temperatures can exceed a blistering and dangerous 40 Celsius by day in summer.

The coastal zone is milder, however. The largest city, Laayounne, enjoys daytime temperatures ranging between the low 20s Celsius in December and January to the low 30s Celsius in July and August. A cool breeze off the sea keeps the coast cooler. However, occasional hot desert winds lift the temperatures much higher.

Sometimes the coast is blanketed is sea fog, especially in the early mornings.

Although it is dry for much of the year, rainfall does occur. Tropical downpours spread into some southern areas in the late summer and early autumn months, while showers tend to affect northern parts of the country in the winter months.

But for most of the year, sunscreen is an essential accompaniment, rather than a waterproof!