Climate - Malindi (Kenya)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Malindi
In Malindi (and in the nearby village of Watamu), the climate is tropical, hot all year round, with a cooler season from June to September, when the daytime temperatures are around 28 °C (82 °F), and a hotter and humid season from November to April, when the daytime temperatures are just above 30 °C (86 °F), with May and October as intermediate months.
The temperature in Malindi varies little throughout the year, but the differences are sufficient to make the warmest period more unpleasant, whose peak is reached in April, at the onset of the rains (see below). However, the heat is tempered by sea breezes.
Here are the average temperatures.
Malindi - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 24.6 | 30.8 | 27.7 | 76 | 87 | 81.8 |
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| February | 24.7 | 31.2 | 27.9 | 76 | 88 | 82.3 |
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| March | 25.3 | 32 | 28.6 | 78 | 90 | 83.6 |
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| April | 25.6 | 31.4 | 28.5 | 78 | 89 | 83.3 |
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| May | 24.3 | 29.2 | 26.8 | 76 | 85 | 80.2 |
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| June | 24 | 28.5 | 26.2 | 75 | 83 | 79.2 |
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| July | 23 | 27.6 | 25.3 | 73 | 82 | 77.6 |
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| August | 22.5 | 27.7 | 25.1 | 72 | 82 | 77.2 |
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| September | 23.1 | 28.4 | 25.7 | 74 | 83 | 78.3 |
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| October | 23.5 | 29.5 | 26.5 | 74 | 85 | 79.7 |
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| November | 24.2 | 30.6 | 27.4 | 76 | 87 | 81.3 |
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| December | 24.6 | 31 | 27.8 | 76 | 88 | 82 |
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| Year | 24.1 | 29.8 | 26.9 | 75.4 | 85.7 | 80.5 |
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As regards to the rainfall, it is not particularly abundant, in fact, it amounts to about 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) per year, however, there are two rainy seasons due to the two annual zenith passages of the sun (that is, when it shines directly overhead in the sky at mid-day), as often happens at the Equator. The presence of the sea, however, complicates a bit the situation. The rains are abundant from April to June, in the so-called "long rains season", and reach a peak in May, of about 300 mm (12 in). During some years, the rains can be torrential, and can cause flooding and power outages, as happened in May 2012.
From July to September, there would be a dry season, but the south-east trade winds which prevail in this period are able to generate some thunderstorms, since the winds come from the sea, from which they collect heat and humidity, especially in the first part, that is, in July, when the sea is warmer.
From December to March, there is another dry season, when showers are rare, especially in January and February, which are the driest months, and it almost never rains.
In October and November, there would be the second rainy season, called "short rains season", which is more evident in other areas of Kenya, and it's not evident here, although there is some variability between the years, so during some years, the rains are plentiful, as happened in October and November 2009, when there have been floods.
Here is the average precipitation.
Malindi - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 10 | 0.4 | 2 |
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| February | 15 | 0.6 | 2 |
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| March | 35 | 1.4 | 3 |
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| April | 165 | 6.5 | 11 |
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| May | 300 | 11.8 | 17 |
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| June | 155 | 6.1 | 12 |
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| July | 90 | 3.5 | 12 |
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| August | 65 | 2.6 | 9 |
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| September | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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| October | 70 | 2.8 | 6 |
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| November | 75 | 3 | 6 |
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| December | 35 | 1.4 | 3 |
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| Year | 1060 | 41.7 | 90 |
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The amount of sunshine is good all year round, except in the season of the long rains, which, as the name suggests, tend to last longer, compared with showers and thunderstorms that may occur during the period of the "short rains" or in the rest of the year. Therefore, the sunniest period is from August to March, when there are about 9 hours of sunshine per day. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Malindi - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 9 | 280 | February | 9 | 255 | March | 9 | 280 | April | 8 | 240 | May | 7 | 215 | June | 8 | 240 | July | 8 | 250 | August | 9 | 280 | September | 9 | 270 | October | 9 | 280 | November | 9 | 270 | December | 9 | 280 | Year | 8.6 | 3135 |
Malindi is located near the Equator, so it is sheltered from tropical cyclones, like the rest of Kenya.
The sea near Malindi is warm enough to swim in all year round, since the water temperature reaches a minimum of 25 °C (77 °F) in August, as can be seen in the following table.
Malindi - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 27.5 | 82 | February | 27.5 | 82 | March | 28.5 | 84 | April | 29 | 85 | May | 28.5 | 83 | June | 27 | 81 | July | 26 | 79 | August | 25.5 | 78 | September | 25.5 | 78 | October | 26.5 | 80 | November | 28 | 82 | December | 28.5 | 83 | Year | 27.4 | 81.3 |
Best Time
The best months to travel to Malindi are August and September, that is, the driest ones within the cool season. In this period, the temperature is pleasant, even though there is a lively breeze, which can make the sea a bit rough. From December to March, it's sunny and the rains are rare, but the heat is felt; in return, the sea is calmer.
The worst time is that of the long rains, from April to June; as a precaution, the months of October and November can be avoided as well, since they can be very rainy during some years.
Malindi - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Malindi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In February, the weather in Malindi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.9 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In March, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Malindi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (89.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In April, the weather in Malindi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 25.6 °C (78 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In May, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 300 mm (11.8 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In June, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.2 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 24 °C (75.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (80.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In July, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.3 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 23 °C (73.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In August, the least warm month of the year, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In September, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.7 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 23.1 °C (73.5 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (67.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In October, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In November, the weather in Malindi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In December, the weather in Malindi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) and a maximum of 31 °C (87.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
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