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Djibouti - Climate

Djibouti is entirely within the tropical zone; it is north of the equator and south of the Tropic of Cancer. The sun is directly above every point in the country at some time during the year. Djibouti gets little precipitation. Average annual rainfall is 127 millimeters (5 inches), and humidity is high year-round. Fair weather dominates the area; however, certain seasons, particularly summer, have a dust haze. Because of its near-equatorial latitude and low elevations, snow does not fall in Djibouti.

Djibouti’s desert climate has two seasons. During the May through September summer season, temperatures range from 90ºC to 49ºC (90ºF to 120ºF). The winter season lasts from October through April and has sparse rainfall, cool breezes, and temperatures near 20ºC (70ºF). The khamsin is a strong, hot, sand-laden wind that blows in Djibouti during the summer season. It usually begins at 1300 local time and ends between 2000 and midnight. Occasionally, the khamsin begins in the morning and lasts for 3 to 4 days, with winds exceeding 50 knots. This blowing sand can damage equipment.

Djibouti has another strong wind called the saba. It differs from the khamsin because it is a fall or gravity wind (it is always cool). Occasionally the saba is accompanied by light rain and, as a result, it disturbs less dust than other winds. It occurs only in the morning hours during the summer, beginning and ending abruptly.

Surface visibilities in dust storms are often less than 1 kilometer (half mile). Fine particles of dust are often carried aloft from 180 to 300 meters (6,000 to 10,000 feet), greatly reducing visibility.

Djibouti is susceptible to droughts and occasional cyclonic disturbances that bring heavy rains and flash floods. Since 1986, Djibouti has had two droughts (February 1988 and July 1996) and two floods (April 1989 and November 1994) that required humanitarian assistance.

Deforestation, desertification, and water pollution affect Djibouti. Its forests are affected by agriculture and used as wood fuel; however, the rare trees on Mount Goda are protected within a national park. Fifty-one percent of Djibouti’s water supply is used for farming; however, the salinity of the water supply is increasing. Fifty percent of the urban population and 79 percent of the rural population do not have safe drinking water.

The persistent discharge of untreated sewage into surface waters and coastal areas is a pollution problem. Although Djibouti City has a wastewater treatment plant, it is reportedly inoperable; its sewage is dumped into streams, the Gulf of Tadjoura, and into the desert. Discharges from offshore tanker traffic contribute to petrochemical contamination of Djibouti’s coastline.