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Climate - Tanzania


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Tanzania

Map - Tanzania

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Index


  • Introduction
  • The coast - Dar Es Salaam
  • The plateau - Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Victoria
  • Cyclones

Introduction



Tanzania is a big African country which overlooks the Indian Ocean and lies just south of the Equator. Much of the country is covered by a plateau, where a large number of world-famous tourist attractions are found, in particular, the savannah environment with its characteristic flora and fauna, preserved in various parks and nature reserves. This plateau has a subtropical or tropical climate, not too hot because of altitude. On the contrary, the thin coastal stretch is hot and humid throughout the year, especially from November to April.
The June-August period (kipupwe) is the coolest of the year, and is dry almost everywhere.
As regards to the rain pattern, the country can be divided into four zones. In the north and the east, except in the region of Lake Victoria, there are two rainy seasons: one less intense, known as short rains season (vuli), between October and December, and the other more intense, known as long rains season (masika), from March to May, with a peak in April. In January and February, in the period between the two rainy seasons (kiangazi), the weather is hot and sultry, at least below a thousand meters (3,300 feet).
In the far north-west, the two rainy seasons are practically connected, in fact, it rains even in January and February, when rainfall amounts to 100/150 millimeters (4/6 inches) per month depending on the area; therefore, in this region, there is practically a single rainy season from October to May. Such a situation is also found in a few areas of the north-east, in particular, along the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
In the center and south, there's only one rainy season, from December to April in the south and south-east, and from November to April in the west.
The division of the country according to the rainy seasons is indicated in the following map, where we can sea the areas where there are one or two rainy seasons, and the months when they occur.

Rainy seasons in Tanzania

The tropical rains occur mainly in the form of downpours or thunderstorms in the afternoon, so in the morning the sky is often clear even during the rainy periods.

The coast



On the coast, the climate is hot all year round, with two rainy seasons in the northern part, and only one in the southern part.

Dar Es Salaam

Dar Es Salaam, the largest city and the former capital of Tanzania, is located on the coast, in the area with two rainy seasons, and it's hot all year round, with a slightly hotter and wetter period from November to April, when daytime temperatures are around 32/33 °C (90/91 °F), but with peaks of 35/36 °C (95/97 °F). Relative humidity is high, especially in March and April, the rainiest months. Here are the average temperatures.
Dar Es Salaam - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January253228.6779083.4
February253328.6769183.5
March243328.2759182.8
April233127.1748880.8
May223026.1728679
June203025.1698677.2
July193024.4678575.9
August193024.5678676.2
September203125.2678777.3
October213126.2708879.2
November233227.2738980.9
December243228.3769083
Year22.131.126.5571.88880

In Dar Es Salaam, annual precipitation amounts to 1,150 mm (45 in), with a maximum from March to May; April is the rainiest month with 255 mm (10 in). There is also a secondary maximum, that of the short rains, from October to December. However, the rainfall pattern is quite irregular, in fact, during some years, the short rains period can be very rainy as well. From June to September, there is little rain; this period, in addition to being the driest, is also the coolest, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F) and lows around 19/20 °C (66/68 °F), though the night temperature can sometimes drop to around 15 °C (59 °F). Here is the average precipitation.
Dar Es Salaam - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January7537
February552.24
March1405.511
April2551018
May2007.913
June451.85
July2514
August2514
September2513
October702.85
November1254.98
December1204.79
Year115045.391

The amount of sunshine in Dar Es Salaam is good throughout the year, except maybe in April, the wettest month.
Dar Es Salaam - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7.5235
February8225
March7215
April5155
May7215
June7.5220
July7225
August8.5265
September8.5250
October9275
November8.5250
December8240
Year7.62775

The sea in Dar es Salaam (as in the rest of Tanzania) is always warm enough for swimming: the water temperature ranges from 25.5 °C (78 °F) in August to 29.5 °C (85 °F) in the summer months.
Dar Es Salaam - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2984
February2984
March3085
April2985
May2883
June2780
July2678
August2578
September2678
October2680
November2882
December2983
Year27.681.7

Both the climate and the rain pattern are similar in the Zanzibar Archipelago, where, however, it rains more: about 1,600 mm (63 in) per year in Zanzibar, and up to 1,900 mm (75 in) on the northern island of Pemba.

The plateau



On the plateau, temperatures vary with altitude, though they are usually mild or warm without excesses for most of the year. The amount of rainfall tends to increase with altitude, but it also depends on slope exposure and the proximity to the highest mountains, so there are more or less rainy areas.

Dodoma

Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, is located at 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level, in an inland dry area, and has a single rainy season. In an average year, only 600 mm (23.5 in) of rain fall, most of which occur from December to mid-April, while it almost never rains from May to October.
Here is the average precipitation.
Dodoma - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January1355.310
February1455.79
March1154.57
April602.45
May50.21
June000
July000
August000
September000
October20.10
November2512
December1254.97
Year60523.841

In October and November, before the rains, it can get hot, but peaks around 35 °C (95 °F) are possible until February. So, the best time here is from May to September, when the temperature is about 27/29 °C (81/84 °F) during the day and about 15 °C (59 °F) at night; sometimes, there can be a few colder nights, around 12 °C (54 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Dodoma - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January193024.6678676.3
February193024.6678676.3
March193024.4678575.9
April192923.7668474.7
May172822.6638272.7
June152721.4608170.5
July152720.6588069.1
August152821.5608270.7
September162922.8618573
October183124.3648875.8
November193225.4678977.6
December203125.1678777.1
Year17.729.223.3563.884.574

In Iringa, the climate is similar, but it is a bit cooler, since the city is located at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level, and therefore it's never excessively hot, while it can be a bit cold at night, especially from May to September.

Kilimanjaro

In the north-east, in the area with two rainy seasons, we find a series of towering mountains, including Kilimanjaro volcano, 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) high, which is also the highest mountain in Africa, and has permanent snow above 5,000 meters (16,400 ft), unfortunately in retreat because of global warming.
On the slopes, there are different climates and biomes depending on altitude: between 1,800 and 2,800 meters (5,900 and 9,200 ft), we find the rainforest; between 2,800 and 4,000 meters (9,200 and 13,100 ft), where at night the temperature can drop below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), a dry mountain vegetation; between 4,000 and 5,000 meters (13,000 and 16,500 ft), a cold desert, where, however, during the day the equatorial sun of high altitude is very strong, and it's able to considerably warm up the bare rocks, while at night, it gets very cold. On the summit, which is often above the cloud layer, the average temperature is -7 °C (19.5 °F), but in the coldest nights it can drop to -15/-25 °C (5/-13 °F).
Considering both temperature (which is higher in January and February, and lower from June to August) and precipitation (which is higher from March to June, and lower from August to October), it's generally preferable to climb the mountain in January, February and September, while the worst months are April and May because of high rainfall (and even snowfall at high elevations) and frequent cloudiness. Some visitors choose the days of full moon, a phenomenon that occurs roughly once per month, during which the glaciers lit by the moon offer a wonderful view at night.

Kilimanjaro

West of Kilimangiaro, we find another mountain, Meru volcano, 4,565 meters (14,977 feet) high.

Arusha

At the foot of Mount Meru, at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) of altitude, we find the city of Arusha. Here, the temperature is pleasant all year round, in fact, the daily average ranges from 21/22 °C (71/72 °F) between January and April to 18/19 °C (64/65 °F) in June and July. Sometimes, however, between November and March, it can get hot during the day. Nights are cool throughout the year, especially from June to September, when lows can drop to 10 °C (50 °F), while during the day, the temperature fluctuates around 22/23 °C (72/73 °F).
Arusha - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January162821.8608271.3
February162822.1618371.8
March172822.4638272.4
April172521.2637770.1
May162319.7627467.5
June152218.5597265.3
July142218577264.4
August142318.7587465.7
September152519.9597767.8
October162721.3618070.4
November162721.6628070.9
December162721.3618070.4
Year15.725.420.560.277.769

Rainfall in Arusha amounts to 1,100 mm (43 in) per year. Here is the average rainfall.
Arusha - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January652.612
February652.612
March1455.715
April34013.421
May1706.714
June401.65
July200.85
August150.64
September150.63
October401.66
November1254.915
December903.515
Year112544.3127

In Arusha, the amount of sunshine, good most of the year, decreases slightly in the rainiest months, but it does not increase much in the coolest and driest months, i.e. June and July.
Arusha - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January9275
February9250
March8250
April6.5195
May6185
June6185
July6.5205
August7215
September8245
October9275
November8245
December8250
Year7.62780

Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park is located north-west of Arusha, towards Lake Victoria and the border with Kenya; here, the altitude varies between 1,100 and 2,000 meters (3,600/6,600 feet). This is the area of the savanna, a kind of grassland which becomes greener and higher in the rainy season, with rare trees such as the huge baobabs, and animals such as rhinos, hippos, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The driest part of the Serengeti, where trees are a rarity, is the south-eastern one.
Here are the average temperatures recorded at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level.
Serengeti - Average temperatures
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January162922.5618472.5
February162922.5618472.5
March162922.5618472.5
April162822618271.6
May162721.5618170.7
June152721598169.8
July142620577968
August152721598169.8
September152821.5598270.7
October162922.5618472.5
November162822618271.6
December162822618271.6
Year15.627.921.76082.271

The Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of humankind, where fossil remains of early hominids were found, is located between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level. Here, the climate is more arid.

Ngorongoro

On the contrary, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is rainier, at least in the highest areas, which exceed 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). In the city of the same name, which lies at 2,400 meters (7,900 ft), the weather is spring-like all year round, with cool nights, sometimes even a bit cold, while during the day it is pleasantly warm from October to March, and mild from May to September. Here, as in the far north-west, thunderstorms can sometimes occur even in the dry season, in January and February.
Ngorongoro - Average temperatures
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January102316.5507361.7
February102316.5507361.7
March102216507260.8
April112116527060.8
May102015506859
June81913.5466656.3
July81913.5466656.3
August82014466857.2
September82114.5467058.1
October92215.5487259.9
November102216507260.8
December102216507260.8
Year9.321.215.248.870.159.5

In Tanzania, there are several large lakes.

Lake Victoria

The huge Lake Victoria is located in the north-west, at 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level; here, the climate is warm all year round, as we can see from the temperatures of Mwanza.
Mwanza - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January192823.2668273.8
February192923.8668474.8
March192823.8668374.8
April192823.5668274.3
May192823.5668374.4
June172922.9638473.2
July162922.6618472.6
August172922.9638473.3
September182923.5658474.3
October192923.8668474.8
November192823.2668273.8
December192723668173.4
Year18.328.323.2564.98374

Precipitation is more abundant on the western side of the lake (see Bukoba) than on the eastern side (see Musoma). In Mwanza, which is located on the southern side, it is at an intermediate level, and amounts to 1,050 mm (41 in) per year. We are in the area with a single rainy season, from October to May. Here is the average precipitation.
Mwanza - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January1054.110
February1104.38
March1405.511
April1706.714
May7538
June200.82
July100.41
August200.82
September2513
October853.38
November1556.113
December1405.512
Year105041.392

In Mwanza, the sun frequently shines all year round, with a peak in the dry season.
Mwanza - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7.5230
February7.5210
March7.5235
April7.5230
May8255
June9.5280
July9285
August8.5265
September8.5250
October8240
November7210
December7225
Year82925

Further south, Lake Tanganyika (see Kigoma), along the Rift Valley, is located at 770 meters (2,500 feet) above sea level, while even more to the south, Lake Malawi is at 480 meters (1,570 feet), so along its banks the weather is hotter because of the lower altitude. There are several national parks and nature reserves in the center-south as well.

Tropical cyclones



The central and southern part of Tanzania are located just south of the Equator, at the edge of the area where tropical cyclones can form; while the northern part of the coast (see Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar) is hardly ever affected, the south-eastern provinces (see Lindi, Mtwara) may be affected, usually marginally, by cyclones passing over the area of Comoros and Mayotte. Cyclones of the South-West Indian Ocean are formed from November to mid-May, but more frequently from late December to mid-April.

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 See also (cities or regions):

 Arusha
 Bukoba
 Dar Es Salaam
 Dodoma
 Iringa
 Kigoma
 Mbeya
 Morogoro
 Mtwara
 Others (expand)
 Musoma
 Mwanza
 Ngorongoro
 Serengeti
 Songea
 Tabora

 Nearby countries:

 Burundi
 Comoros
 Democratic Republic Congo
 Kenya
 Madagascar
 Malawi
 Mayotte
 Mozambique
 Rwanda
 Seychelles
 Uganda
 Zambia
 Zanzibar

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