Sudan’s climate is highly seasonal, with the majority of rainfall occurring between June and September as moist tropical air moves northward during the summer months. Central and southern regions receive most of their annual rainfall during this short season, while northern Sudan remains predominantly arid throughout the year. A strong and persistent north–south rainfall gradient characterizes the country’s climate.

Annual rainfall anomalies in Sudan below, show pronounced variability over the past four decades. The most notable dry period occurred in the mid-1980s, while subsequent years alternate between wetter and drier conditions relative to the 1981–2010 average. No clear long-term linear trend is evident, with variability remaining a defining feature of Sudan’s rainfall climate.

Sudan’s climate is strongly seasonal and shaped by the north–south movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which brings moist tropical air into the country during boreal summer.

Across Northern State, North Kordofan, Khartoum, and Blue Nile, rainfall patterns reflect Sudan’s strong north–south climatic gradient. Northern State remains extremely arid throughout the record, with very low annual totals and limited year-to-year variation. Moving southward into North Kordofan and Khartoum, rainfall becomes more seasonal and variable, with noticeable fluctuations between wetter and drier years. Blue Nile consistently records the highest annual rainfall among the four states, with a pronounced wet season and stronger interannual variability. Across all regions, the most notable dry period occurred in the mid-1980s, while subsequent decades show continued year-to-year variability without a clear, consistent long-term upward or downward trend.

Sudan exhibits a pronounced north–south temperature gradient. Northern desert regions consistently record the highest annual mean temperatures, while southern areas remain comparatively cooler. This spatial pattern remains stable across the historical record.

Over the past four decades, annual mean temperatures have generally increased across much of the country. Recent decades contain many of the warmest years in the record, with warmer conditions especially evident in northern and central regions.

The temperature record suggests a gradual and persistent warming signal, in contrast to the more variable rainfall pattern. While individual years fluctuate, the broader trend indicates that Sudan’s climate has become progressively warmer since the early 1980s.

Sudan’s climate is characterized by two distinct patterns over the past four decades: highly variable rainfall and steadily rising temperatures. While annual rainfall fluctuates significantly from year to year, temperature shows a more consistent upward trajectory.

Vegetation patterns across Sudan closely follow rainfall distribution and seasonality. Satellite-derived vegetation indices (NDVI) provide a measure of land greenness and help illustrate how ecosystems respond to climate variability.

Sudan shows a north–south gradient with the North having minimal vegetation and some below-average signals (normal for arid zones), Central agricultural belt having mixed but largely near to above average and the South having generally favorable vegetation performance.

This pattern is typical for the post-rainy season transition, where southern regions retain stronger greenness while northern areas begin drying out.

Sudan’s climate story is one of vulnerability and resilience, shaped by the complex interplay of shifting rains and rising heat. Over the past four decades, the country has experienced strong year-to-year rainfall variability alongside a clear warming trend, with hotter conditions increasingly stressing water resources, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

This climate atlas vividly illustrates how seasonal rains — the lifeblood of rain-fed agriculture and pastoral systems — remain highly unpredictable, while temperatures steadily climb across the landscape. The combination of variable rainfall and rising heat increases moisture stress, heightens drought risks, and can undermine crop and pasture productivity even in years when rainfall is near average.

By making data intuitive and interactive, this dashboard reinforces a central message: climate change is not a distant threat but a present concern for Sudan’s people, ecosystems, and development pathways. Understanding these patterns is essential not just for scientists, but for policymakers, communities, and practitioners seeking to build resilience in the face of an uncertain climate future.