Climate - Mombasa (Kenya)

Mombasa: Temperatures - Precipitation - Sunshine hours - Sea temperatures - Weather by month


The climate of Mombasa is tropical, with a cooler season from June to September and a hot, muggy season from November to April.
The city is located in southern Kenya, on the coast of the Indian Ocean, not far from the border with Tanzania.
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 in April and May, in the so-called "long rains season", and reach a peak in May, of about 235 mm (9.3 in). During some years, the rains can be torrential, and can cause flooding and power outages.
From June 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 June and July, when the sea is warmer.
From January to March, there is another dry season, when showers are rare, especially in January and February, which are the driest months of the year.
From October to December, 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 2006, when there have been floods.

Mombasa - Climate data

In Mombasa, the average temperature of the coldest month (August) is of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F), that of the warmest month (March) is of 28.6 °C (83.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Mombasa, precipitation amounts to 1070 millimeters (42.1 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 14 mm (0.6 in) in the driest month (February) to 235 mm (9.3 in) in the wettest one (May). Here is the average precipitation.
At Mombasa, the sea temperature ranges from 25.5 °C (78 °F) in August, September to 29.5 °C (85 °F) in April. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Mombasa, there are on average around 2930 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Mombasa - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Mombasa is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (93.5 °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 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. 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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In February, the weather in Mombasa is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 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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In March, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Mombasa is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In April, the weather in Mombasa is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (88.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In May, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.1 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 235 mm (9.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In June, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.5 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (80.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.3 °C (68.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 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 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21 °C (69.8 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.9 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.1 °C (71.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.4 °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 31.5 °C (88.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 9 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 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In November, the weather in Mombasa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23 °C (73.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 8 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 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In December, the weather in Mombasa is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.4 °C (74.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.5 °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 34 °C (93 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.