The climate in Zimbabwe

Climate zone: tropics

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

Temperature records of the last 68 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1949 to September 2017 was reported by the Chiredzi weather station. In November 2015, the record temperature of 45.6 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 8 weather stations in Zimbabwe below 1,480 meters altitude, was recorded in 1979 with an average temperature of 19.7 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 16.6 degrees Celsius.

The coldest day in these 68 years was reported by the Bulawayo weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -1.5 °C in June 2011. Bulawayo lies at an altitude of 1,344 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1963 with an average temperature of 19.1 °C. In Zimbabwe, it is usual to have about 1.8 degrees more at 21.0 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in February 1977. With 20.0 mm per day, the Chipinge weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 68 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 10 stations in Zimbabwe itself. In 4 cases, neighboring but nearby weather stations were also used to obtain more accurate values.