How do Sahara air masses and Atlantic air masses affect Cameroon’s climate?

Cameroon’s climate is primarily shaped by the seasonal movement of two contrasting air masses, which dictate the country's precipitation patterns.1

• Continental Tropical Air Mass: Originating over the Sahara, this air mass is hot and dry. It is associated with dusty weather and creates dry conditions as it moves across the region. When this air mass dominates, it suppresses rainfall, contributing to the dry seasons experienced across different parts of the country.1
• Maritime Tropical Air Mass: Originating over the Atlantic Ocean, this air mass is warm and humid. It acts as the primary source of rain-bearing winds for Cameroon.1

The interaction between these two air masses occurs at the intertropical convergence zone, where the convergence of moist maritime air and dry continental air forces air aloft, resulting in intense precipitation. Because these air masses shift seasonally, Cameroon experiences varying rainy and dry seasons, with precipitation levels generally decreasing from the south to the north.21