Nairobi Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Nairobi’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in Kenya.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Year-round, Nairobi experiences a consistently comfortable climate. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 29°C in February, the warmest time of the year, to a comfortable 24°C during cooler months like July. At night, minimum temperatures typically average around 14°C during these months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Nairobi by month:
The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
February, the city’s warmest month, also receives about 33 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 7 days. For more information, please visit our Nairobi Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in Kenya Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across Kenya. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
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Nairobi Temperatures Compared World Wide
Nairobi’s average annual maximum temperature is 26°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual temperature is 21°C, offering warm summers and mild, rainy winters.
In contrast, in Oslo, Norway, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
Chicago, USA, has a significant seasonal range, with an average annual temperature of 15°C.
In Brisbane, Australia, the average annual temperature is 26°C, making it warmer than Sydney.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Global Warming and Its Effects
Climate change is affecting worldwide temperatures, including in Nairobi. It has massive impacts on both local and global levels:
- Global Temperature Rise: The average global land and sea temperatures have risen by about 1.2°C since pre-industrial times.
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Local Impacts: Most regions of the world are witnessing warmer winters with fewer frost and snowfall days. The global frequency and severity of heatwaves have increased. For example, Europe's summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 all broke records. Summers are also becoming drier; however, during winter, inland regions have experienced increased rainfall. This has caused elevated river levels and more cases of flooding.
Many countries are experiencing earlier springs and later autumns. This is why some bird species have shifted their migration dates.
For more detailed information about Nairobi’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Nairobi climate page.
Current temperature in Nairobi
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