The climate in Botswana

Climate zone: The northern part of Botswana is located in the equatorial tropics, while the southern parts of the country belong geographically to the subtropics.

It is warm or hot yearlong. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is North West. The coldest is Central.

Temperature records of the last 47 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1975 to September 2022 was reported by the Maun weather station. In October 2011, the record temperature of 41.4 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 5 weather stations in Botswana below 1,340 meters altitude, was recorded in 2001 with an average temperature of 25.0 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 19.1 degrees Celsius.

The coldest day in these 47 years was reported by the Pandamatenga weather station. Here the temperature dropped to zero °C in May 2013. Pandamatenga lies at an altitude of 1,074 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 2021 with an average temperature of 22.5 °C. In Botswana, it is usual to have about 2.6 degrees more at 25.1 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in November 2010. With 17.4 mm per day, the Ghanzi weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 47 years.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level. Thus, if a disproportionate number of weather stations are located in a small area, their number does not affect the national average. There are 8 stations in Botswana itself. In one case, a nearby weather station from a neighboring country was used to obtain more accurate values.