Africa Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Africa: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Africa month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 96° | 66° | 0,0 in | ★★★★★ |
| February | 100° | 71° | 0,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 101° | 76° | 0,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 100° | 78° | 1,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 98° | 78° | 0,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 91° | 74° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 85° | 72° | 8,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 84° | 71° | 10,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 86° | 72° | 5,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 90° | 72° | 3,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 93° | 70° | 0,7 in | ★★★★★ |
| December | 95° | 67° | 0,0 in | ★★★★★ |
Climate type: Mediterranean. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Africa
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
Climate by country in Africa
23 countries mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Africa
Go in January, February, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: July, August and September - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Africa
Today is cooler than average for September. The forecast high of 77°F is 9.2°F below the 86°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives. Around 0,6 in is forecast, which is enough to soak trails and slow traffic.
Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Within 15 degrees of the equator, day length barely changes all year; seasons are defined by rain, not temperature.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 44°F - an unusually even climate through the year.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- A packable rain shell - 6 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- If your dates are flexible, avoid July, August and September - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Africa is a continent. Africa is the world's second-largest continent, spanning the Sahara, the Great Rift Valley, the Nile and the savannas of the south. It has a population of about 1.46 billion.
Right now it is 72°F (22°C) in Africa with partly cloudy. It feels like 79°F. Today runs from 71°F to 77°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.4/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Africa is January, February, November and December. The climate is Mediterranean. July, August and September tend to be the least comfortable months. March is the warmest month with average highs near 101°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 66°F.
The closest major airport is Cairo International Airport (CAI), about 1.618 mi away. Nearby highlights include Kruger National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and Jemaa el-Fnaa.
In plain terms. Today is cooler than average for September. The forecast high of 77°F is 9.2°F below the 86°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Africa today at 9.9/10. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Africa
| Type | Continent |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 8°46′59.5″N 21°5′37″E (8.7832, 21.0936) |
| Population | 1.460.000.000 |
| Area | 11.725.918 sq mi |
| Local time | 10:49 PM (UTC+01:00) |
| Best months | January, February, November and December |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
Weather map for Africa
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Africa
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Africa?
Africa is a continent. Its coordinates are 8.7832, 21.0936.
What is the weather like in Africa right now?
It is currently 72°F (22°C) with partly cloudy. Humidity is 93% and wind is 1 mph.
When is the best time to visit Africa?
January, February, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Africa, which has a Mediterranean climate. July, August and September are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Africa in?
Africa observes Africa/Bangui (UTC+01:00). The local time is 10:49 PM.
How many people live in Africa?
Africa has a population of approximately 1.46 billion.
What is the nearest airport to Africa?
The closest airports are Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 1.295 mi away, Cairo International Airport (CAI), 1.618 mi away and Cape Town International Airport (CPT), 2.959 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Africa?
Popular options include Kruger National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Pyramids of Giza and Table Mountain.
What places are in Africa?
Africa covers 23 places in this atlas, including Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia and Ghana.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (continents) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated September 30, 2026 at 10:49 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
