Gambia has a tropical climate - with two seasons a) rainy, and b) dry, with hot temperatures all the year round. The rainy season is from July to September when most of the rain falls at night, and indicating the start of the planting season. This is the busiest time for the women, as they must plant the rice so that it can grow and be harvested in the next four months. The hot and humid weather is an ideal growing time for crops. © Simon Scoones/Worldaware

The dry season, from October to June, causes the plants and vegetation to dry up and bush fires are common. The Gambia is close to the Sahara desert, and during the dry season there is a hot, dry wind blowing southwards from the desert. For people, this can feel like a hot hairdryer. The winds can bring sandstorms as they whip up the dry earth and sand. These can last for many days. © Simon Scoones/Worldaware

Banjul, The Gambia Month Average Temperature (0C) Average Rainfall (mms) Jan 23.2 1.0 Feb 24.2 0 March 24.8 0 April 24.9 0 May 25.3 2.0 June 27.0 35.8 July 26.7 196.9 August 26.2 326.0 September 26.5 201.3 October 27.0 60.3 November 25.6 7.0 December 23.6 1.0

London, UK Month Average Temperature (0C) Average Rainfall (mms) Jan 4.9 61.5 Feb 4.6 36.2 March 7.1 49.8 April 9.0 42.5 May 12.6 45.0 June 15.6 45.8 July 18.4 45.7 August 17.8 44.2 September 15.2 42.7 October 12.0 72.6 November 7.7 45.1 December 6.1 59.3

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In recent years, the rainfall has been less reliable. Sometimes the rainy season arrives late which makes it difficult for people to water their crops. They also have to dig deeper wells to reach the water underground. © Simon Scoones/Worldaware