Harare, Zimbabwe Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Harare
Harare's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 67% of its 28.6 inches (727 mm) annual total arrives in the December to February window, while August averages less than 1 mm. Temperatures move far less: 84°F (29°C) at the year's warmest against 70°F (21°C) at its coolest.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: October - highs near 84°F (29°C)
- Coldest month: July - highs near 70°F (21°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 98°F (37°C) high · 40°F (5°C) low
- Wettest month: January (22 rainy days) · Sunniest: October (11.6 h sun/day)
- Climate type: subtropical highland
- Annual swing: 8°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 11°C
- Average humidity: 61%
Temperatures through the year
Warmth peaks in October: highs of 84°F (29°C), lows of 60°F (16°C). July bottoms out at 70°F (21°C) in daylight, 47°F (8°C) after dark. Six of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is March through August.
Rain, sun and snow
6 months average under 20 mm of rain, the longest unbroken stretch running May through October. Sunshine averages 10.8 hours a day over the year - sunnier than 91% of the 3496 cities in our dataset, peaking in October at 11.6 hours. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 98°F (37°C) and bottoms at 40°F (5°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records.
How Harare compares
- 67% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 96% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76° | 61° | 22 | 8.8 in | 9.8 h/day | 78% |
| February | 77° | 61° | 16 | 4.9 in | 10.7 h/day | 77% |
| March | 77° | 59° | 12 | 3.1 in | 11.0 h/day | 73% |
| April | 75° | 56° | 6 | 1.8 in | 10.3 h/day | 69% |
| May | 73° | 51° | 1 | 0.2 in | 10.7 h/day | 59% |
| June | 69° | 48° | 0 | 0.1 in | 10.1 h/day | 58% |
| July | 70° | 47° | 1 | 0.1 in | 10.3 h/day | 54% |
| August | 76° | 51° | 0 | 0.0 in | 11.2 h/day | 47% |
| September | 81° | 56° | 0 | 0.0 in | 11.5 h/day | 42% |
| October | 84° | 60° | 3 | 0.8 in | 11.6 h/day | 46% |
| November | 82° | 62° | 13 | 3.5 in | 11.3 h/day | 60% |
| December | 80° | 62° | 16 | 5.3 in | 10.9 h/day | 69% |
Harare month by month
Harare weather in January
January brings highs around 76°F (25°C), lows near 61°F (16°C), about 22 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Harare.
Harare weather in February
February brings highs around 77°F (25°C), lows near 61°F (16°C), about 16 wet days.
Harare weather in March
March brings highs around 77°F (25°C), lows near 59°F (15°C), about 12 wet days.
Harare weather in April
April brings highs around 75°F (24°C), lows near 56°F (13°C), about 6 wet days.
Harare weather in May
May brings highs around 73°F (23°C), lows near 51°F (11°C), about 1 wet days.
Harare weather in June
June brings highs around 69°F (21°C), lows near 48°F (9°C), about 0 wet days.
Harare weather in July
July brings highs around 70°F (21°C), lows near 47°F (8°C), about 1 wet days - typically the coldest month of the year in Harare.
Harare weather in August
August brings highs around 76°F (24°C), lows near 51°F (10°C), about 0 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Harare.
Harare weather in September
September brings highs around 81°F (27°C), lows near 56°F (13°C), about 0 wet days.
Harare weather in October
October brings highs around 84°F (29°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), about 3 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Harare.
Harare weather in November
November brings highs around 82°F (28°C), lows near 62°F (16°C), about 13 wet days.
Harare weather in December
December brings highs around 80°F (27°C), lows near 62°F (17°C), about 16 wet days.
Seasons in Harare
Spring (September through November)
Spring in Harare brings hot afternoons, with daytime highs averaging 82°F (28°C) and nights around 59°F (15°C); rain comes on about 16 days over the three months. Daylight is generous - around 11.5 hours of sun a day.
Summer (December through February)
Summer brings comfortable warmth here - highs near 78°F (25°C), nights near 61°F (16°C), and rain falls on around 54 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 10.5 hours of sun a day.
Fall (March through May)
Fall in Harare brings comfortable warmth, with daytime highs averaging 75°F (24°C) and nights around 56°F (13°C); expect showers on roughly 19 days across the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.7 hours of sun a day.
Winter (June through August)
Winter in Harare is pleasantly warm, with daytime highs averaging 72°F (22°C) and nights around 49°F (9°C); precipitation is essentially absent. Daylight is generous - around 10.5 hours of sun a day.
Climate questions, answered
How humid does Harare get?
When is the dry season in Harare?
Are nights cold in Harare?
What should I wear in Harare?
Best time to visit Harare
Aim for April to September if you get the choice: the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked, and highs average 74°F (23°C) against roughly 2 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.
Pack for Harare with light clothing for the warm months and a compact umbrella or rain shell. Note the gap between afternoon and night: October pairs 84°F (29°C) with 60°F (16°C).
Harare temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.