Absence of the Harmattan in southern Togo explained by ANAMET

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Extract from the article: The Director General of the National Meteorological Agency (ANAMET), Dr Issaou Latifou, has provided clarification on the absence of the Harmattan in southern Togo, marked by unusual rainfall observed from December 2025 to January 2026. This situatio

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The Director General of the National Meteorological Agency (ANAMET), Dr Issaou Latifou, has provided clarification on the absence of the Harmattan in southern Togo, marked by unusual rainfall observed from December 2025 to January 2026. This situation can be explained by a particular atmospheric configuration, dominated by persistent southerly winds, commonly known as the monsoon. These humid winds promote unseasonal rainfall and prevent the descent of the Harmattan, a dry wind from the north.

« This is not an anomaly. There are always southerly winds (the monsoon) that bring these rains in places and are out of season and prevent the descent of the harmattan, the north wind », said Dr Issaou Latifou.

According to the Director General of ANAMET, the Harmattan has only appeared in the Savanes region and part of the Kara region. The Plateaux and Maritime regions, meanwhile, have not yet experienced this phenomenon this year. « As usual, this year too, the Plateaux and Maritime regions have not yet experienced this wind. This situation explains the rains that have been recorded since December and are currently continuing », he added.

Interactions between winds, atmospheric pressures and ocean temperatures vary from year to year, thereby influencing the climate cycle. Current meteorological analyses suggest that the Harmattan will not reach the Plateaux and Maritime regions for any length of time this year. « Even if it does appear, it will be very brief », concluded the Director General of ANAMET.

Jean ELI