When to go · Atar
Atar in May
Avoid month. Outside the best window (Nov–Feb). Across Mauritania: 40 °C (104 °F)+ inland.Avoid month. Outside the best window (Nov–Feb). Across Mauritania: 104 °F (40 °C)+ inland.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C) / 26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 0
- Crowds
- Low
- Mauritania overall
- Prices
- Low
- Mauritania overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Feb). Across Mauritania: 40 °C (104 °F)+ inland.Outside the best window (Nov–Feb). Across Mauritania: 104 °F (40 °C)+ inland.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- AtarHighs around 42 °C (108 °F), lows around 26 °C (79 °F), rain on about 0 daysHighs around 108 °F (42 °C), lows around 79 °F (26 °C), rain on about 0 days
- Adrar and the desert, Mauritania · Atar, Chinguetti, Ouadane, Terjithot
Cold nights (near 5 °C (41 °F)) and warm days Dec–Feb; 45 °C (113 °F) in summer; sandstorms Mar–Jun.Cold nights (near 41 °F (5 °C)) and warm days Dec–Feb; 113 °F (45 °C) in summer; sandstorms Mar–Jun.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) big impact
May 2026 (lunar — check) · Mauritania
Travel peak and closures.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Mauritania overall
- Low
- Prices · Mauritania overall
- Low
Mauritania overall: 40 °C+ inland.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Atar, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 42 °C (108 °F)108 °F (42 °C)
Jan: 28 °C (82 °F)82 °F (28 °C)
Night low
May: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Jan: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Rain days
May: 0
Jan: 0
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Prices
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Feb). Across Mauritania: 40 °C+ inland.
January: Inside Atar's best window: Nov–Feb.
Atar: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen