The climate in Rwanda

Climate zone: tropics

It is warm or hot yearlong. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is Kigali. The coldest is Western Province.

Temperature records of the last 48 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1975 to November 2023 was reported by the Kigali weather station. In March 2010, the record temperature of 31.1 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September was recorded in 2020 with an average temperature of 22.5 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 21.4 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 27.1 °C.

The coldest day in these 48 years was reported by the Kigali weather station. Here the temperature dropped to 12.2 °C in June 2020. Kigali lies at an altitude of 1,497 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1990 with an average temperature of 19.8 °C. In Rwanda, it is usual to have about 0.9 degrees more at 20.6 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in November 2004. With 12.5 mm per day, the Kigali weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 48 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.