Unusual rains delay harmattan: Ghana braces for milder dry season
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has issued a public weather advisory for the 2025/2026 Harmattan season, warning of an unusually delayed and generally weak dry period, with occasional severe dust episodes expected in the north and lingering rainfall in the south.
In its advisory dated 30 December 2025, the Agency noted that the Harmattan season has been characterised by an unusual delay, with many parts of southern Ghana still experiencing rainfall as of late December, a phenomenon described as “statistically rare for this time of year.” Even northern regions, which typically face peak dryness by now, have recorded occasional rainfall.
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GMet attributed the delay to significant fluctuations in the position of the Inter-Tropical Boundary (ITB), which has remained further north than usual, coupled with warm Sea Surface Temperatures in the Gulf of Guinea. “This has allowed moisture to persist over the country, causing these rains,” the advisory stated.
Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2026, the Agency forecasts a transition into a “generally weak Harmattan season,” though the public is urged to remain alert for “occasional episodes of severe conditions.” Northern Ghana is expected to become significantly dry and dusty, with visibility levels “relatively lower than those in the south.” Meanwhile, forest regions and parts of the coast may continue to experience localised rainfall due to ongoing ITB fluctuations and warm ocean temperatures.
The advisory highlighted regional impacts, noting that while northern sectors may face “occasionally intense dust plumes,” coastal and middle belts are likely to experience a mild or weak dry season. Higher humidity levels and fewer hazy days than usual are anticipated in the south, though occasional dust incursions may still occur.
GMet has advised the public to increase daily water intake, wear protective nose masks during dense dust haze, and exercise extreme caution on roads, especially during early mornings and late nights. Motorists are encouraged to use fog lights or headlamps when visibility is reduced.
The Agency also warned against open-air burning and recommended wearing light clothing during the day while keeping warmer garments handy for cooler nights, particularly in the north.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency confirmed it will “continue to monitor these atmospheric changes closely and issue updates when significant changes are expected.”
The advisory was issued by the GMet Public Relations Unit on 31 December 2025.
