Eswatini / Swaziland Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Eswatini, known as Swaziland until 2018, is a small kingdom in southern Africa, bordering South Africa and Mozambique. Located in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are reversed compared to Europe and the United States: winter runs from June to August, summer from November to March.

Geographically and climatically, Eswatini can be divided into four regions: Highveld, Middleveld, Lowveld and the Lebombo Mountains. Elevation ranges from 100 meters (328 ft) in the east to over 1000 meters (3280 ft) in the west. According to the Köppen-Geiger system, the west has a temperate savannah climate (Cwa), while the lower-lying east has a warm steppe climate (Bsh).

Temperatures depend largely on elevation and season. In summer, the low-lying Lowveld reaches highs of 30°C (86°F) to 33°C (91°F), while Highveld around the capital Mbabane typically stays around 25°C (77°F) degrees. In winter, daytime temperatures in Highveld range from 17°C (63°F) to 22°C (72°F) degrees. Middleveld, at 400 to 800 meters (1312 - 2624 ft) elevation, sees year-round highs between 22°C (72°F) and 30°C (86°F) degrees.

Eswatini has a distinct rainy season from mid-October to early April. The west is the wettest: Mbabane receives 1300 mm (51 in) to 1400 mm (55 in) of rain annually. In Big Bend in the east, less than 600 mm (24 in) falls per year. More than three-quarters of the precipitation falls during the summer months. Winters are virtually dry, with only a few rainy days per month from June to August.