Climate - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
In the area of the Victoria Falls, about 900 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level, the climate is sub-tropical, with mild, dry winters from mid-May to mid-August (during which, however, nights are cold), and hot, muggy and rainy summers from mid-November to mid-March. Between September and November, before the rainy season, there is a hot period, which is actually the hottest of the year, with temperatures easily reaching 35 °C (95 °F), and sometimes up to 40 °C (104 °F), even though the humidity is not as high as in summer. October is the hottest month of the year. On the contrary, in winter, the weather is nice during the day, but the temperature at night may approach freezing (0 °C or 32 °F).
Here are the average temperatures.
Victoria Falls - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 18.8 | 29 | 23.9 | 66 | 84 | 75 |
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| February | 18.4 | 29.5 | 24 | 65 | 85 | 75.1 |
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| March | 17.5 | 29.8 | 23.6 | 63 | 86 | 74.6 |
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| April | 14.2 | 29.2 | 21.7 | 57 | 85 | 71.1 |
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| May | 10.2 | 27.8 | 19 | 50 | 82 | 66.2 |
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| June | 7.4 | 25.3 | 16.3 | 45 | 77 | 61.4 |
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| July | 6.5 | 24.6 | 15.5 | 44 | 76 | 60 |
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| August | 9.3 | 28 | 18.7 | 49 | 82 | 65.6 |
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| September | 14.1 | 32 | 23 | 57 | 90 | 73.4 |
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| October | 18 | 33.9 | 26 | 64 | 93 | 78.8 |
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| November | 19.2 | 32.5 | 25.8 | 66 | 91 | 78.5 |
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| December | 18.8 | 30.1 | 24.5 | 66 | 86 | 76 |
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| Year | 14.3 | 29.3 | 21.8 | 57.8 | 84.8 | 71 |
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Precipitation is not abundant, since it amounts to 690 millimeters (27 inches) per year, but it is quite abundant from December to February, while it almost never rains from May to September. The rains occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms. Here is the average precipitation.
Victoria Falls - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 175 | 6.9 | 16 |
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| February | 140 | 5.5 | 14 |
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| March | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
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| April | 25 | 1 | 3 |
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| May | 5 | 0.2 | 0 |
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| June | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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| July | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| August | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| September | 2 | 0.1 | 0 |
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| October | 25 | 1 | 4 |
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| November | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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| December | 170 | 6.7 | 16 |
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| Year | 690 | 27.2 | 73 |
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The amount of sunshine in the Victoria Falls is very good from April to October, ie the dry season, while it is acceptable in the rainy season, when, between one shower and another, the sun shines. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Victoria Falls - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 7 | 215 | February | 7 | 195 | March | 8 | 250 | April | 9 | 275 | May | 10 | 305 | June | 9.5 | 290 | July | 10 | 310 | August | 10.5 | 320 | September | 10 | 295 | October | 9 | 280 | November | 7.5 | 230 | December | 6.5 | 210 | Year | 8.7 | 3165 |
The Victoria Falls are 108 meters (354 feet) deep and 1,700 meters (5,600 ft) wide, and are probably the most spectacular in the world. They are located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and are formed by the waters of the Zambezi River. The falls can be accessed from both countries, although the best-equipped part is that of Zimbabwe. The falls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The season of high river discharge runs from February to May, with a spike in April. The river reaches its minimum flow in November, when it becomes ten times smaller than in April. When the flow rate is highest, you cannot see some parts of the falls because of splash and mist, besides, it is difficult to take pictures. During the period when the flow rate is lower, from October to December, the waterfall is divided into several streams, and some parts become dry. In December, the river begins to grow again, but in this period, we are in the rainy season, with sultry heat and frequent afternoon showers.
The spray caused by the waterfalls exceeds 400 meters (1,300 feet) in height and is visible from a distance of 50 km (30 mi); it also feeds a nearby rainforest.
The Victoria Falls National Park hosts a rich fauna, including elephants, giraffes and zebras.
You can go rafting in the rapids produced by the waterfalls. There is also a natural waterhole, the "Devil's Pool", where it is possible to bathe on the edge of the falls, at least when the river flow is not at the highest level, however, this is a dangerous and not recommended activity.
Best Time
The best time to visit the Victoria Falls goes from June to mid-August, since it is the coolest, the driest and sunniest period of the year, and when the river flow rate is halfway between the minimum and the maximum. It is advisable to dress in layers because nights are often cold, while during the day, the air becomes mild or pleasantly warm. It can also be useful to bring a raincoat for the spray. From mid-August to mid-November, it's still the dry season, but it is a period when the heat becomes intense, while the river becomes increasingly drier.
Victoria Falls - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) and a maximum of 29 °C (84.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.0 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
March is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.6 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.8 °C (85.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.1 °C (98.8 °F) in March 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).
April is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.7 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.5 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in April 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
May is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 10.2 °C (50.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
June is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.3 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 32.4 °C (90.3 °F) in June 1991.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 87% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.6 °C (92.5 °F) in July 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
August is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.7 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.8 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
September is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.0 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (89.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in September 1994.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 82% of the time.
The average humidity is 30%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
October, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 26.0 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.9 °C (93.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 33%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
November is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.8 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F) and a maximum of 32.5 °C (90.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
December is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) and a maximum of 30.1 °C (86.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in December 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
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