How do rainfall amounts differ between coastal Gambia and inland Gambia?

The Gambia experiences a wet-and-dry tropical climate where rainfall patterns are influenced by proximity to the coast. Generally, the rainy season is longer and more intense near the Atlantic, with precipitation levels diminishing as one moves eastward into the interior.1

Specific rainfall data illustrates this gradient:

• Coastal Region: At Yundum, the average annual rainfall is approximately 50 inches (1,300 mm).1
• Inland Region: At Basse Santa Su, located about 270 miles (435 km) inland, the average annual rainfall drops to about 40 inches (1,000 mm).1

This trend reflects the broader climatic conditions of the region, where moist maritime winds bring the rains, and the duration and intensity of the rainy season decrease further from the coast.12