Climate - Somalia

The climate in detail

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• The north coast - Bosaso
• Northern mountains - Hargeisa
• The east coast - Mogadishu
• The south-west - Baidoa
• Cyclones
• When to go
• What to pack

The north coast

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On the north coast, overlooking the Gulf of Aden, the climate is desert, characterized by hot and muggy winters and very hot summers, when the temperature can reach 45 °C (113 °F). The wind from the desert, especially in summer, can raise dust clouds. The rains are very rare and sporadic, and amount to approximately 50 mm (2 in) per year.

Bosaso

Here are the average temperatures of Bosaso (formerly Bender Cassim).

The temperature of the sea in Somalia is high enough for swimming all year round. In the Gulf of Aden, more closed and more to the north, it is lower in winter and higher in summer, when it becomes very warm, reaching 30 °C (86 °F) for several months.
Here are the average sea temperatures in Bosaso.

On the northern coast, the sun shines all year round; however, in summer, some cloud banks can reach the area, as part of the aforementioned monsoon. Here are the average sunshine hours per day in Berbera, in the western part of the coast.

Northern mountains

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In the northern mountainous areas, the climate is milder because of the altitude.

Hargeisa

In Hargeisa, located in the northwest, 1,300 meters (4,250 feet) above sea level, at night, it can get cold in winter; the minimum temperatures may drop below 5 °C (41 °F) from November to March. Daytime temperatures are pleasant in winter, while they are acceptable in the summer months, since they hover around 30 °C (86 °F).
Here are the average temperatures.

The mountainous region of the north-west is one of the rainiest areas in the country, and the rains are not so scarce, since they amount to 415 mm (16.5 in) per year. In fact, here, there is only one rainy season, from mid-March to mid-October, when, however, rainfall is not too frequent and usually not abundant. Here is the average rainfall.

In the north, there is another mountain range, parallel to the coast, the Karkaar Mountains, whose highest peak is Shimbiris, 2,450 meters (8,038 feet) high. These mountains are quite green, especially on the northern side, and above 1,200 meters (3,900 feet), there are forests, while the coast to the north, as previously mentioned, is desert, and the plateau to the south is semi-desert.

The east coast

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On the east coast overlooking the Indian Ocean, the climate is hot, but without the excesses of the north coast. The temperature is more stable throughout the year, although in spring, it slightly rises, to the point that the hottest month is usually April in the south and May in the north. In summer, the temperature decreases because of the prevalence of air masses coming from the ocean. However, the northern part is a bit hotter than the southern one.
The rainfall on the east coast increases as you head south. In fact, the north is definitely desert, with precipitation lower than 100 millimeters (4 inches) per year, while in the center it increases to about 200 mm (8 in), and in the south it exceeds 400 mm (16 in).

Mogadishu

The capital, Mogadishu, which is located in the southern part of the east coast, just north of the Equator. Temperatures are high and stable throughout the year. However, there is an increase between March and May and a decrease between July and September, which is, albeit slightly, the least hot period. This is due to the south-east trade winds, which, in this southern part of the country, blow in summer.
Typically, the humidity is high, although sea breezes temper the heat. Sometimes, however, there can be torrid days (that is, hot and dry), when the wind blows from the interior, and this can happen all year round.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall in Mogadishu amounts to 430 mm (17 in) per year. The first rainy period is shifted forward by a month and can last an extra month, and therefore it goes from April to July, then the rains drop and remain infrequent until November, without there being a new clear increase in October-November, as is the case in other parts of the country. However, the rainfall records are quite high from March to November, which means that during some years, there may be periods much rainier than usual.
Here is the average precipitation.

The sun shines frequently throughout the year, but especially in winter. The least sunny months are June and July, ie the months when the rains are more frequent.

On the east coast, the sea temperature becomes higher in winter as you head south, while from June to September, it slightly drops because of the aforementioned south-east trade winds.
Here are the average sea temperatures in Mogadishu.

The south-west

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In the southwestern inland areas, winter is scorchingly hot, and in February and March, the temperature rises further, before the rains. For example, in cities like Bardera and Garbahare, the maximum temperature is normally around 37 °C (99 °F) in January and 39 °C (102 °F) in March, while in summer, it drops to 33 °C (91 °F).

Baidoa

A similar trend is found in the city of Baidoa (or Baydhabo), which, however, is a bit milder because it is located at 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level.
Here are the average temperatures.

In Baidoa, precipitation amounts to 570 mm (22.5 in) per year; the two rainy seasons, April-May and October-November, are very pronounced, while in the rest of the year, it rains very little.
Here is the average precipitation.

Tropical cyclones

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Sometimes, the center-north of Somalia, but especially the north-east, in the Horn of Africa (in the region called Puntland), can be affected by tropical cyclones, as happened in November 2013, November 2015, and May 2018.
Cyclones form from May to December, and are more frequent at the beginning of the period (May-June) and at the end (October-December). Although cyclones are rare (and this is confirmed by the fact that the average rainfall in northeastern Somalia is low), when they occur, they can bring intense winds and torrential rainfall.
The south of the country, where Mogadishu is located, being at the Equator, is generally spared by cyclones, or is affected marginally.

When to go

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The best time to visit Somalia in its entirety is winter, from December to February, to avoid both the summer heat in the north and the rains of the transitional seasons.
It is worth while to recall that in the mountainous northern area, nights can be cold, while in the inland southwestern areas, the climate in this period is hot. Moreover, in December, especially in the first half, tropical cyclones are still possible.

What to pack

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On the north coast, all year round, bring light clothing made of natural fibers (cotton or linen). In winter, you can add a light sweatshirt for the evening; in summer, bring lightweight clothing, long and made of natural fibers, and desert turban.

In the northern mountains, bring light clothes for the day, sunglasses, a sun hat, and desert boots or sandals; in winter, add a sweater and a jacket for the evening; in summer, add a sweatshirt and a light jacket for the evening.

On the coast of the Indian Ocean, all year round, light clothing of natural fibers, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a scarf for the breeze; sunglasses and a sun hat. In the central and southern part (see Mogadishu), you can bring a light raincoat or umbrella between March and November (especially between April and August).

When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.

It's better for women to avoid shorts and miniskirts.

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