Zambia

Zambia Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Monthly climate averages for Zambia, temperatures, rainfall and the best time to visit.

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Livingstone Lusaka Chingola Siavonga

Climate overview of Zambia

Zambia has a humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry climate. From mid-April to August, it remains dry. During this period, nights are cool, and the days are often much more pleasant than the rest of the year, with average daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F).

Hot Season

From September to mid-November, the weather in Zambia becomes noticeably warmer, with temperatures easily exceeding 30°C (86°F). The sun shines brightly most of the time.

Rainy Season

Almost all precipitation falls in summer (December to March), with the wettest month receiving at least ten times more rainfall than the driest month in winter. In the north, higher elevation results in slightly lower temperatures, while the western region bordering Angola is significantly warmer.

Best Time to Visit Zambia

The best time to visit Zambia is from May to August when the average maximum temperatures range between 24°C (75°F) and 28°C (82°F), and conditions remain very dry. At higher altitudes, it can get a bit cooler.

Explore Zambia by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Popular cities by month

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Livingstone Lusaka Chingola Siavonga Chirundu Mongu
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)
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Climate map

Average daily temperature, monthly rainfall & sunshine hours across cities.

Avg day temp (°C)
0° 32°

Compare popular cities

Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.
Livingstone 26°C (79°F) – 36°C (97°F) 10°C (50°F) – 21°C (70°F) 794 mm (31 in) 3,178 hours
Lusaka 24°C (75°F) – 33°C (91°F) 11°C (52°F) – 20°C (68°F) 975 mm (38 in) 2,956 hours
Chingola 26°C (79°F) – 33°C (91°F) 12°C (54°F) – 20°C (68°F) 1206 mm (47 in) —
Siavonga 26°C (79°F) – 35°C (95°F) 16°C (61°F) – 25°C (77°F) 1034 mm (41 in) —
Chirundu 28°C (82°F) – 37°C (99°F) 14°C (57°F) – 24°C (75°F) 732 mm (29 in) —
Mongu 28°C (82°F) – 36°C (97°F) 12°C (54°F) – 22°C (72°F) 1072 mm (42 in) 3,066 hours
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FAQ

What is the best time to visit Zambia?

The warmest month in Chirundu is October, with daytime highs of 37°C (99°F). Livingstone is the sunniest destination, with 320 hours of sunshine in August. Zambia has a distinct dry season from April to October. Explore Zambia weather by month for a detailed breakdown.

What temperatures can I expect in Zambia?

Chirundu is the warmest destination, reaching 37°C (99°F) in October with nights around 24°C (75°F). Choma is the coolest, with July daytime highs of just 23°C (73°F) and nights dropping to 9°C (48°F). See the city comparison for a full overview.

How much rain does Zambia get?

Rainfall varies across Zambia. Mwinilunga is the wettest, receiving 1355 mm (53 in) per year, with December the wettest month at 267 mm (11 in). Liuwa Plain National Park is the driest at 960 mm (38 in) per year. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.

How sunny is Zambia?

Livingstone is the sunniest destination in Zambia, enjoying 3,178 hours of sunshine per year, with August the brightest month at 320 hours. Overall, Zambia enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.

What is the climate like across Zambia?

Livingstone has very hot summers reaching 36°C (97°F) in October and warm winters dropping to 26°C (79°F), with 3,178 hours of sunshine and 794 mm (31 in) of rain per year. Lusaka has very warm summers reaching 33°C (91°F) in October and warm winters dropping to 24°C (75°F), with 2,956 hours of sunshine and 975 mm (38 in) of rain per year. Chingola has very warm summers reaching 33°C (91°F) in October and warm winters dropping to 26°C (79°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 1206 mm (47 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.

Places in Zambia

Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.

Popular cities

Browse all 21 places in Zambia →

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