Lesotho Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages
Monthly climate averages for Lesotho, temperatures, rainfall and the best time to visit.
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Climate overview of Lesotho
The local summer (November to March) is considered by many to be the best time to travel to Lesotho. It is warm, the sun shines often and the rain amounts are acceptable. For those for whom temperature is slightly less important and the amount of rain has more influence, the months of April, September and October are a very good alternative. For a tour of Lesotho, we would probably choose these mid-season months rather than the middle of summer which is high season.
Lesotho has only a limited number of precipitation days per month during winter. Much precipitation falls in the form of rain, but especially in the higher regions it can snow. On the highest peaks it can even snow throughout the year, but there is no perpetual snow on the highest peaks.
Summer months are considerably wetter than the winter months, Much of the precipitation falls in the form of short showers, although occasionally an entire rainy day can be noted. The showers are often accompanied by thunderstorms: on as many as 70 to 90 percent of all rainy days there are also thunderstorms.
Lesotho is a very sunny country, it is also called the "land of blue skies" because of the large number of clear and sunny days. With an average of about 3200-3300 hours of sunshine per year, the country is among the sunniest spots in the southern half of Africa.
During winter you can go skiing in Lesotho. The one kilometre (0.62 mile) ski slope of the Afri-Ski resort is located at an altitude of 3300 meters (10.826 ft), on a slope of Drakensberg. This is where mostly wealthy South Africans come to ski. In the absence of sufficient natural snow, artificial snow is sprayed on the slopes at night. The ski season runs from June to September.
Popular cities by month
Compare cities per month. Toggle cities on/off.
Maseru
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)
Climate map
Average daily temperature, monthly rainfall & sunshine hours across cities.
Avg day temp (°C)
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Compare popular cities
Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.
| Maseru | 17°C (63°F) – 28°C (82°F) | -1°C (30°F) – 15°C (59°F) | 926 mm (36 in) | 3,203 hours |
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Lesotho?
The warmest month is January with daytime highs of 28°C (82°F). December is the sunniest month with 309 hours of sunshine. Lesotho has a distinct dry season from May to September. Explore Lesotho weather by month for a detailed breakdown.
What temperatures can I expect in Lesotho?
Daytime highs range from 17°C (63°F) in July to 28°C (82°F) in January. Nighttime lows range from -1°C (30°F) to 15°C (59°F). Temperatures vary significantly between regions and seasons. See the city comparison for a full overview.
How much rain does Lesotho get?
Annual rainfall is around 926 mm (36 in). January is the wettest month with 147 mm (5.8 in), while July is the driest with 12 mm (0.5 in). Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.
How sunny is Lesotho?
Lesotho receives around 3,203 hours of sunshine per year. December is the sunniest month with 309 hours, while June is the cloudiest with just 233 hours. Overall, Lesotho enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.
Places in Lesotho
Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.
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