As of late July, the early stages of the core period of the rainy season in West Africa continue to be characterised by variable conditions and the deficits persist in the western parts of the region (northern and western Senegal and most of Mauritania) as well as in western Guinea, Sierra Leone and north western Liberia Below average rains are also noticeable over southern and central Nigeria and southern Cameroon The eastern Sahel benefited from more favourable condition with above average rainfall over Niger and Chad July provides respite and rainfall improvement has offset deficits in many areas over the Sahel (particularly over eastern Sahel in Niger, Nigeria and Chad)