A seasonal variability study of tropical raindrop size distributions (DSD) and integrated rain parameters in West Africa coastal area (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire) was done. The study covered the period 1986 to 1988 with a focus on 1987 for a complete annual cycle investigation using the EPSAT validation experiment data. The following parameters have been described: the median volume diameter (D0), the total number of drops per unit volume of air (NT), the ratio D0/NT, the rain rate (R) as well as the radar reflectivity factor (Z). During the May-June (MJ) and September-October-November (SON) seasons, the characteristics of DSD in June 1987 (D0 strong and NT low) compared to those of October 1987 (D0 strong and NT strong) could explain the high rainfall recorded during SON compared to MJ where the rainfall is lower. The Sea Surface Temperature (SST) analysis of these two seasons indicate a modulation of this inversion by ocean surface conditions. In general, a high SST induces important rain with spectra containing a large number of large drops due to strong convection associated with a large advection flow. Finally, raindrop size distributions appeared to be relevant indicators to characterize the specific behaviour of the rainy seasons.