Nouakchott experiences a hot desert climate with minimal rainfall and relentless sunshine for most of the year.
The brief wet season brings occasional showers between July and September, though even then you're more likely to see dust than downpours.
Temperatures range from pleasant winter lows around 13°C at night to scorching summer highs exceeding 40°C during the day.
The Atlantic coast provides some relief through cooling sea breezes, though the harmattan winds from the Sahara carry fine sand that infiltrates everything from November to March.
Lightweight fabrics that can be quickly rinsed of sand and salt become essential survival gear rather than fashion choices.
Nouakchott follows a two-season pattern of dry and briefly wet rather than four distinct seasons, though the desert climate means even the wet season remains predominantly hot and arid.