Economics of Greenhouse Gas Limitations: Senegal - Country Study Series

The climate is subject to both geographical factors and atmospheric influences. Actually, the presence of a seashore extending over 700 km and its location on the West-end of the African continent, result in climatic variations between the coastal zone and the hinterland. Likewise, the atmospheric circulation, facilitated by an obstacle-free relief puts the country under the influence of the tradewind, harmattan and monsoon. Such masses of air determine two seasons which are differentiated by the amount of rainfall: a long dry season, from November to May/June, with a predominance of the maritime tradewinds along the coastal region, while the hinterland is under the influence of a Saharan continental tradewind: the Harmattan; a short rainy season, with the monsoon. Rainfall ranges from 800mm/year to 1500mm/year in the Southern region.