1. Tropical Wet and Dry (Savanna): This is the most prevalent climate type in the basin, covering most of its area. It's characterized by a distinct wet season (typically from May to October) with heavy rainfall, followed by a long dry season (from November to April) with little to no rain. Temperatures are generally high year-round, with a slight drop during the dry season.
2. Semi-arid (Steppe): This climate type occurs in the northern and eastern parts of the basin, bordering the Sahara Desert. It receives less rainfall than the savanna, with a shorter wet season and a longer, more pronounced dry season. Temperatures are extremely hot during the day, with cool nights.
3. Arid (Desert): This climate type is found in the far north of the basin, in the Sahara Desert itself. Rainfall is extremely scarce, often less than 100 mm per year. Temperatures are very hot throughout the year, reaching extreme highs during the summer months.
These are just the major climate types within the Niger River Basin. Within each of these, there are variations in rainfall, temperature, and other factors that contribute to a diverse range of microclimates across the basin.
