The climate of Harar
Harar,
Ethiopia, falls under the BSh category in the Köppen climate classification, which corresponds to Subtropical steppe climate. Positioned within the subtropics region, Harar experiences moderate temperatures throughout the year. The city sees average high temperatures of around 25°C (77°F), suggestive of a consistently warm environment without drastic variations. Average low temperatures usually hover in the mid-teens, ranging slightly from 13.2°C (55.8°F) to 16.6°C (61.9°F).
Diving into rainfall data unveils months of significant differences in precipitation. The city experiences increased rainfall amounts starting from
March, with the highest peaks noticeable in
April and
May at 160mm (6.3") and 156mm (6.14"), respectively. By contrast, the driest months are
January and
December, with rainfall as scanty as 5mm (0.2") and 6mm (0.24"). The number of rainfall days follows a similar trend, providing more than 20 days of rain during the wettest months.
Concentrating on sunlight metrics, the city enjoys around 12 hours of daylight throughout the year. The sunshine duration decreases slightly during the shoulder seasons, with as few as 7.4 to 7.8 hours of sunlight seen in the latter months of the year. It's worth pointing out that the cloud cover varies throughout the year, with minimum coverage of 9% in January and
February and maximum coverage of 34% in
August.
The best time to visit Harar
For visitors wishing to bask in the warmth of the consistent weather without the hindrance of rainfall, the best time to visit
Harar is between
January and
February. These months record the least amounts of precipitation, with rainfall measuring 5mm (0.2") and 14mm (0.55") respectively. The maximum temperature range during this period is from 24.3°C (75.7°F) to 25.1°C (77.2°F), while the minimum temperature ranges from 13.2°C (55.8°F) to 15.1°C (59.2°F), offering a delightful environment for outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Harar
The period between
April and
June would not be ideal for visitation due to the swelling rainfall during this time. April sees the highest rainfall of 160mm (6.3"), followed closely by
May with about 156mm (6.14"). Due to this high amount of precipitation, the number of rainfall days also increases, tallying around 23 to 24 and restricting opportunities for outdoor exploration.
Spring weather in Harar
Spring in
Harar, characterized by the months between
March and
May, is marked by a blend of rising temperatures and rainfall. March signals the beginning of the rainy season, with rainfall reaching 70mm (2.76"). This increases significantly in
April and May, culminating in 160mm (6.3") and 156mm (6.14") of rainfall respectively. It should be noted that the increase in precipitation does not dramatically affect temperatures, which remain consistently warm.
Summer weather in Harar
June ushers in the summer period in
Harar, extending until
August. This season continues the trend of increased rainfall, peaking in June at 93mm (3.66"), followed by decreasing quantities in the succeeding months. As for temperatures, they remain stable during this period. Highs hover around the mid-20s degree mark, while lows settle in the mid-15s.
Autumn weather in Harar
The autumn months from
September to
November in
Harar witness a gradual decrement in rainfall scale, sliding from 96mm (3.78") in September to 41mm (1.61") in November. As the precipitation decreases, the cloud cover lowers, providing slightly more sunlit hours. Simultaneously, temperatures remain balanced, with highs comfortably in the mid-20s and lows in the mid-teens.
Winter weather in Harar
Winter in
Harar spans
December to
February. This period indicates minimal rainfall, with December and
January standing as the months with the scantiest precipitations of 6mm (0.24") and 5mm (0.2"). Despite the limited rainfall, temperatures remain constant. During this time, maximum temperatures rise to the mid-20s, and minimums rest in the low and mid-teens. Moreover, the relative humidity dips during these months, making it an agreeable season for visitors.
Weather in January
Upon stepping into the new year,
Harar,
Ethiopia experiences relatively cooler temperatures, with a slight fall in the thermometer readings from the tail-end of the previous year. Pleasant weather rules the roost and the slight chill in the air is made more enjoyable by a moderate UV Index of 6 and little cloud cover at just 9%.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Harar transitions from the colder
January to a slightly warmer
February, although the increment is subtle and usually goes unnoticed unless one is particularly sensitive to temperature variations. The city still receives a modest amount of rain, with an average amount being nearly three times that of January, amounting to 14mm (0.55").
Weather in February » Weather in March
As winter gives way to spring, the temperatures in
Harar show a minor increase, making the weather rather agreeable. However, the frequency of rainfall days almost doubles in comparison to
February, leading to more humid conditions overall.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April's weather experiences a considerable shift, with the city receiving its highest level of precipitation for the year: a significant 160mm (6.3") spread over an estimated 23.3 days. The increase in rainfall directly impacts the city’s relative humidity, pushing it up to a peak of 63%.
Weather in April » Weather in May
If
April showers bring
May flowers,
Harar indeed bears witness to this old saying as the city continues to bloom under the considerable rainfall from 156mm (6.14") falling over an estimated 24.5 days. While the rain might add a touch of romanticism to the city's picturesque charm, it also causes an upswing in humidity, which reaches 70% this month.
Weather in May »Weather in June
In contrast to previous months,
June unfolds a slightly cooler picture, both in terms of temperature highs and lows. Despite this, the measured 12.7 daylight hours, the highest of the year, make plenty of room for outdoor activities.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July features a notable decrease in highs, setting a cooler tone for the heart of the year. The weather continues to be wet, with the rainfall expected to amount to 82mm (3.23") over an estimated 24.6 days. The city’s overall outlook remains partly cloudy, as evidenced by a significant 33% cloud covering, the highest for the year.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August marks another noticeable drop in the highest temperatures, making it one of the cooler months of the year. The weather remains predominantly humid, with a relative humidity of 68% despite an impressive 109mm (4.29") of rainfall spread over some 27 days.
Weather in August » Weather in September
With the heat of the summer beginning to subside,
September experiences a subtle rise in temperatures, giving the city a respite from the coolness of the preceding months. The amount of rainfall takes a dip from the prior month, amounting to 96mm (3.78") over an estimated 22.5 days.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October brings a decidedly drier spell to
Harar, with lesser rainfall, recording just 65mm (2.56") over approximately 12.4 days. The reduced rainfall cools down relative humidity levels, marking it at 54%, thus providing a comfortable ambiance for urban explorers.
Weather in October » Weather in November
Building on the
October weather,
November in
Harar sees further reductions in rainfall at 41mm (1.61"), spread across approximately 10.4 days. The decline in average humidity levels to 53% and lower cloud cover of 18%, result in pleasant days and clear, star-filled nights.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Closing the year on a lighter note,
Harar experiences the lowest rainfall for the year, recording only 6mm (0.24") over approximately 2.6 days. The city sees a moderate rise in temperatures from
November, thus keeping the weather comfortable for visitors and residents.
Weather in December » [Resources]