Climate overview of Libya
The Sahara is very dry and hot in summer and cool and dry in winter. Less than 2 percent of the national territory receives enough rainfall for settled agriculture. Temperatures in the summer can reach 50°C (122°F) during the day but more commonly are around 40°C (104°F). Night temperatures can vary from 30°C (86°F) to 40°C (104°F). If you don't like the heat then the best time for visiting the Sahara is from October to April, at this time average temperatures range from 15°C (59°F) to 30°C (86°F) during the day and from 5°C (41°F) to 20°C (68°F) at night.
You are unlikely to encounter rainfall in Libya. This is most likely in January or February and rarely lasts long. Often after the rains the desert comes to life with flowers and this generally happens in late February or March.
Popular cities by month
Compare cities per month. Toggle cities on/off.
Tripoli
Zuara
Hon
Derna
Sabha
Sirte
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.
| Tripoli | 18°C (64°F) – 32°C (90°F) | 12°C (54°F) – 25°C (77°F) | 289 mm (11 in) | 3,002 hours |
| Zuara | 18°C (64°F) – 33°C (91°F) | 11°C (52°F) – 26°C (79°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | — |
| Hon | 19°C (66°F) – 38°C (100°F) | 7°C (45°F) – 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | — |
| Derna | 17°C (63°F) – 33°C (91°F) | 8°C (46°F) – 23°C (73°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 2,764 hours |
| Sabha | 19°C (66°F) – 40°C (104°F) | 5°C (41°F) – 25°C (77°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 3,533 hours |
| Sirte | 18°C (64°F) – 31°C (88°F) | 12°C (54°F) – 25°C (77°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 3,013 hours |
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Libya?
The warmest month in Sabha is June, with daytime highs of 40°C (104°F). Kufra is the sunniest destination, with 378 hours of sunshine in July. Libya has a distinct dry season from January to December. Explore Libya weather by month for a detailed breakdown.
What temperatures can I expect in Libya?
Sabha is the warmest destination, reaching 40°C (104°F) in June with nights around 25°C (77°F). Derna is the coolest, with January daytime highs of just 17°C (63°F) and nights dropping to 8°C (46°F). Temperatures vary significantly between regions and seasons. See the city comparison for a full overview.
How much rain does Libya get?
Rainfall varies across Libya. Tripoli is the wettest, receiving 289 mm (11 in) per year, with January the wettest month at 60 mm (2.4 in). Kufra is the driest at 2.1 mm (0.1 in) per year. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.
How sunny is Libya?
Kufra is the sunniest destination in Libya, enjoying 3,737 hours of sunshine per year, with July the brightest month at 378 hours. Overall, Libya enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.
What is the climate like across Libya?
Tripoli has very warm summers reaching 32°C (90°F) in August and mild winters dropping to 18°C (64°F), with 3,002 hours of sunshine and 289 mm (11 in) of rain per year. Zuara has very warm summers reaching 33°C (91°F) in August and pleasant winters dropping to 18°C (64°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain per year. Hon has very hot summers reaching 38°C (100°F) in July and pleasant winters dropping to 19°C (66°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.
Places in Libya
Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.
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