AI-generatedGao at a glance
- Best time
- Dec – Jan
- Warmest month
- May · 44°
- Sunshine a year
- 3,080 h
- Rain a year
- 111 mm
- Climate
- Hot desert
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Elevation
- 257 m
Climate in Gao
Gao has a hot desert climate with sunshine almost every day and hardly any rain. May is the warmest month with average highs of 44 °C, while January is the coolest at 32 °C. With around 3,080 hours of sunshine a year, Gao is very sunny; April is the sunniest month with 8.9 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Gao
The best time to visit Gao is from December to January. From February to November it can get very hot, with highs of up to 44 °C. The wettest month is August with 53 mm of precipitation.
Gao through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Gao in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 39–44 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day in all
Gao in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 39–43 °C by day
- 8.4 h of sun a day
- 21 rainy days in all
Gao in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 37–41 °C by day
- 8.6 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days in all
Gao in winter
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 32–35 °C by day
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Feb – Nov
Highs of 33 °C or more
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Gao for you.
Your best months: January, April – May
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: December – January
Keep in mindPeak heat
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 31°
- Midday, 13:00: about 40°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 39°
- Evening, 20:00: about 32°
- Night, 23:00: about 28°
05:5217:40
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:39–06:21 · evening 17:11–17:53
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:30–05:39 · evening 17:53–18:01
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Gao compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 41° at the start of the month to 39° at the end. The days get 0.4 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 41° | 39° |
| Night-time low | 25° | 22° |
| Daylight | 12.0 h | 11.6 h |
What is the weather like in Gao in October?
In October, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 48 min05:52 – 17:40
- UV index
- 10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 1 daydew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 20 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 28 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 31 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+0offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %95 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %100 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
Compare two months in Gao
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
January has the better holiday weather in Gao: score 67 against 49. In January, days are 9 °C cooler than in October. January has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines an hour less a day in January.
| Month | October | January |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 49 | 67better |
| Daytime high | 41° | 32° |
| Night-time low | 24° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 8.7 hbetter | 7.8 h |
| Rainy days | 1 | 0better |
| Rainfall | 3 mm | 0 mm |
| Muggy days | 1 | 0better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Gao month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
67January32° · 7.8 h
In January, Gao is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 22 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, January is a good month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in January50February35° · 8.2 h
In February, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sun shines for around 8.2 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in February49March39° · 8.6 h
In March, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 39 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in March50April43° · 8.9 h
In April, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 43 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sun shines for around 8.9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in April49May44° · 8.8 h
In May, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 44 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in May49June43° · 8.8 h
In June, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 43 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 8 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in June41July41° · 8.5 h
In July, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 27 °C. The sun shines for around 8.5 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 27 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in July33August39° · 8.0 h
In August, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 39 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sun shines for around 8.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 53 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in August47September41° · 8.3 h
In September, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 18 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in September49October41° · 8.7 h
In October, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in October49November37° · 8.7 h
In November, Gao is very hot: daytime highs average 37 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in November60December33° · 8.0 h
In December, Gao is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sun shines for around 8.0 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Gao.
Gao in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Gao
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
HotOctober: nights around 24°. Hot nights: air conditioning makes sleeping much easier. Muggy on about 1 day (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (15°), the warmest in June (28°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from March to October; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from November to February. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 65 days a year, mostly from July to August.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 67 | 32° | 15° | 7.8 h | 0 | 0 |
| FebruaryFeb | 50 | 35° | 17° | 8.2 h | 0 | 0 |
| MarchMar | 49 | 39° | 20° | 8.6 h | 0 | 0 |
| AprilApr | 50 | 43° | 24° | 8.9 h | 0 | 1 |
| MayMay | 49 | 44° | 28° | 8.8 h | 1 | 2 |
| JuneJun | 49 | 43° | 28° | 8.8 h | 3 | 8 |
| JulyJul | 41 | 41° | 27° | 8.5 h | 7 | 27 |
| AugustAug | 33 | 39° | 25° | 8.0 h | 11 | 53 |
| SeptemberSep | 47 | 41° | 26° | 8.3 h | 4 | 18 |
| OctoberOct | 49 | 41° | 24° | 8.7 h | 1 | 3 |
| NovemberNov | 49 | 37° | 19° | 8.7 h | 0 | 0 |
| DecemberDec | 60 | 33° | 16° | 8.0 h | 0 | 0 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
16.27° N, 0.04° W · 257 m · Africa/Bamako
Sunshine hours in Gao
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 8.7 of 11.8 hours of daylight in Gao, 74 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Gao: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Gao has about one rainy day with 3 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Gao
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 10 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in August (UV 13).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 20 min
- Olive skin
- about 30 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Gao
How breezy and how cloudy Gao is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Gao typically peaks at 20 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 28 % of the sky over Gao: mostly sunny, with about 8.7 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Gao
How often the day gets hot in Gao (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, it is hot in Gao every day, with an average daytime high of 41 °C: often hot. Avoid the midday sun, look for shade and drink plenty.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Gao
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Gao in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Gao has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 64) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 36).
- 50
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 41 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 49
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 44 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 36
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 39 °C by day
- 8.2 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 49
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 41 °C by day
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 64
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
GoodBest holidays
- 32 °C by day
- 7.9 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 5 h 15 min
- Distance
- 3,910 km
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Gao compared
Put Gao side by side with another destination.
Gao vs Timbuktu
In October the holiday weather in Gao and Timbuktu is about equally good (score 49 vs 49). During the day Timbuktu is 2 °C cooler than Gao.
| in October | Gao | Timbuktu |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 49 | 49 |
| Daytime high | 41° | 39° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 9 h |
| Rainy days | 1 | 1 |
| Best time | Dec – Jan | Dec – Jan |
Through the year
Mali in October: the best places
In October, Gao ranks 1 of 3 destinations in this country.
All destinations: MaliNear Gao
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Gao
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Gao's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Gao
When is the best time to visit Gao?
The best time to visit Gao is from December to January. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Gao?
May is the warmest month, with average highs of 44 °C and nights around 28 °C. January is the coolest month at 32 °C.
When does it rain most in Gao?
The wettest month is August with 53 mm of precipitation. The driest month is November with 0 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Gao get?
Gao gets around 3,080 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is April with 8.9 hours a day; in January there are 7.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Gao in?
Gao is on UTC all year.
How long is the flight from London to Gao?
A nonstop flight from London to Gao takes about 5 h 15 min, for a straight-line distance of about 3,910 km.
Which school holidays are best for Gao?
Gao has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 64) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 36). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 50, May half-term 49, summer holidays 36, October half-term 49, Christmas holidays 64.