Jiilaal (January - March)
Jiilaal is the driest and harshest season.  Water and vegetation are often reduced or scarce.  Pastoralists move with their animals in search of water and better grazing.  If there is drought people and animals may need help in accessing water.  There are no agricultural activities this time of the year.   Sea activities are open including fishing and boat trade.


Gu (April - June)
If Gu rains are normal or above normal, they bring prosperity.  Water, pasture and rangeland resources are revitalised. Milk and meat are plenty. Wedding ceremonies, regular clan assemblies and traditional dances (ciyaar) are held during this time of the year. Animals are sacrificed to thank Allah. In pastoral tradition, a person’s age is calculated on the basis of the number of Gu seasons he or she has lived.


Xagaa (July - September)
The Xagaa is the second driest season.  In the coastal areas sea activities are minimised or halted due to monsoon winds. The Xagaa season is characterised by dry cool weather over most of the Somali areas except for the Northern regions where it is very hot.


Deyr (October - December)
The Deyr is the second main rainy season.  Above normal Deyr rains often lead to above average cereal production including that of cash crops and improved pastoral conditions. If both Gu and Deyr rains fail, food insecurity or even famine could occur as the Deyr is followed by the dry Jiilaal season.