TANZANIA
Climate and Weather

Popular destinations TANZANIA

Pemba

Zanzibar

Climate and Weather

A whirlwind on the Serengeti plains_{Photo: Noel Feans CC 2.0 Generic no changes made}

Tanzania is close to the equator and therefore has a tropical climate with an average difference between the highest and the lowest temperature of no more than five degrees. The coastal area is warm and humid almost all year round with temperatures between 22 and 30 °C and humidity between 75 and 80%. In mountainous areas, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Usambara Mountains, and the Northern and Southern Highlands, temperatures can drop to 12 °C from May to August. Night frosts also occur regularly in the mountainous region, and the top of Kilimanjaro is always covered with snow and ice. The hottest time of the year is generally October to February; the coolest period is from June to October. In some places inland, however, the temperature can reach more than 40 °C.

The precipitation is influenced by the prevailing monsoon winds. Much of the country has two rainy seasons: October-November with the so-called small rains, and March-May with the so-called big rains. Precipitation varies widely and is spread irregularly across the country.

On average, about 750 mm falls across the country per year. There are also areas where more than 1250 mm falls, while the arid areas, especially the Central Plateau, reach less than 500 mm per year. The Central Plateau also has only one rainy period, between December and May.

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Sources

Heale, J. / Tanzania
Marshall Cavendish

Tanzania
Cambium

Vlugt, B. / Kenia, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Gottmer/Becht

Waard, P. de / Reishandboek Tanzania
Elmar

CIA - World Factbook

BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated March 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info