The climate in Malawi

Climate zone: tropics

The climate in Malawi is very warm, with an annual average of 27 degrees, but has few truly tropical and sticky months. It is warm or hot yearlong. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is Southern Region. The coldest is Central Region. Due to less rain, the best time for traveling is from April to October. The most rain days occur from from December to March.

Temperature records of the last 67 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1948 to May 2015 was reported by the Bvumbwe weather station. In February 2010, the record temperature of 31.2 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 3 weather stations in Malawi below 1,230 meters altitude, was recorded in 2005 with an average temperature of 23.2 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 19.5 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 29.0 °C.

The coldest day in these 67 years was reported by the Bvumbwe weather station. Here the temperature dropped to 7.5 °C in May 2010. Bvumbwe lies at an altitude of 1,146 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1963 with an average temperature of 21.4 °C. In Malawi, it is usual to have about 1.2 degrees more at 22.6 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in February 1982. With 15.0 mm per day, the Chileka weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 67 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 4 stations in Malawi itself. In 2 cases, neighboring but nearby weather stations were also used to obtain more accurate values.