Climate and monthly weather forecast
South Sudan

South Sudan is a landlocked country located in East-Central Africa. The geography is primarily tropical rainforest, with vast swathes of wet and dry savanna. The climate is tropical, specifically a savanna climate, characterized by high temperatures throughout the year with two distinct seasons, the dry and the wet season. Throughout the year, the mean temperature remains above 18°C (64.4°F), however, temperature can fluctuate drastically from night to day. The driest month often sees less than 60mm (2.36") of precipitation, contributing to a rather harsh dry season.

Generally, the best time to visit South Sudan is during the dry season, from December to February. During this period, the climate is more temperate with temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F). The weather is less humid, making travel more comfortable and accessible, as the roads are less prone to being washed out or boggy. Moreover, this is a perfect time for bird-watching as numerous migratory bird species can be observed during this period.

The months from May to October are considered the least ideal for visiting South Sudan. This period marks the wet season, characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity. During the wet season, temperatures can reach up to 35°C (95°F), and the high humidity level can make it feel even hotter. Moreover, the heavy rainfall often leads to flooding, making roads impassable and travel difficult.

The concept of Spring, as it is known in the temperate climates, doesn't really apply in South Sudan due to its tropical savanna climate. The period from March to May, however, is considered a transition period from the dry season to the wet season. The weather begins to change, with increasing rainfall and temperatures gradually rising from around 30°C (86°F) to 35°C (95°F). Thunderstorms become more common and can be severe at times.

Just as with Spring, Summer isn't a typical season in South Sudan, due to its tropical savanna climate. The period from June to August is part of the wet season. It is characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity. During these months, the temperature typically ranges from 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F). Due to the frequent rain, the country’s savannas are lush and green, however, the high amount of rainfall can also lead to flooding in some regions.

In South Sudan, there's no distinct Autumn season as known in temperate climates. The months of September to November see a transition from the wet season back to the dry season. The weather during these months is a mix of heavy rainfall and periods of dryness. The temperature ranges between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F). The frequent downpours gradually decrease over time, paving the way for the dry season.

Again, as South Sudan experiences a tropical savanna climate, there isn't a winter season as is typically understood in temperate regions. However, the period from December to February constitutes the dry season. During these months, the weather is typically dry with clear skies. The temperature usually hovers between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F), and the nights can feel relatively cooler compared to the day. This period is generally seen as a reprieve from the heavy rains of the previous months.

In January, South Sudan is in the middle of its dry season. The weather is characterized by low humidity levels and relatively lower temperatures when compared to other months, offering a reprieve from the heavy rains and high humidity that characterize the wet season. During January, average daytime temperatures hover around 30°C (86°F), while the night-time temperatures can drop to 20°C (68°F). Weather in January »

February in South Sudan continues the patterns observed in January, maintaining the conditions of the dry season. The average daytime temperatures generally lie around 33°C (91.4°F), while nighttime temperatures can fall to approximately 21°C (69.8°F). Weather in February »

In South Sudan, March signifies the beginning of the transition from the dry season to the wet season. The weather patterns during this month start to shift, with a noticeable increase in humidity and rainfall compared to the preceding dry months of January and February. Average daytime temperatures continue to hover around 33°C (91.4°F), but nighttime temperatures may fall slightly, to 20°C (68°F). Weather in March »

April marks the definite onset of the wet season in South Sudan. During this month, rainfall significantly increases compared to the preceding months. On average, precipitation levels can rise up to 80mm (3.15"), a sharp increase from the 30mm (1.18") recorded in March. The temperature in April remains quite high, with average daytime temperatures hovering around 32°C (89.6°F), while nighttime temperatures fall slightly to 20°C (68°F). Weather in April »

May in South Sudan is characterized by the full onset of the wet season. The weather is dominated by heavy rains, high humidity, and consistently high temperatures. Rainfall during May can reach up to 130mm (5.12"), showing a substantial increase from the 80mm (3.15") observed in April. Daytime temperatures in May typically reach around 31°C (87.8°F), slightly lower than the previous month, due to increased cloud cover and precipitation. Weather in May »

June in South Sudan is in the middle of the wet season, experiencing the highest rainfall of the year. The weather is marked by heavy downpours, high humidity, and consistently warm temperatures. The rainfall in June can reach up to 150mm (5.91"), representing a considerable increase from the 130mm (5.12") observed in May. Daytime temperatures generally hover around 30°C (86°F), slightly cooler than in May, while nighttime temperatures can fall to 20°C (68°F). Weather in June »

July continues the wet season in South Sudan, characterized by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and warm temperatures. However, July typically sees a slight decrease in precipitation compared to June, with rainfall levels around 140mm (5.51"). Daytime temperatures during this month typically hover around 29°C (84.2°F), indicating a marginal decrease from the 30°C (86°F) observed in June. Weather in July »

August in South Sudan represents the tail-end of the wet season. While the weather continues to be characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity, there is a gradual decrease in precipitation compared to the previous month. Average rainfall levels in August are approximately 130mm (5.12"), a decrease from the 140mm (5.51") recorded in July. The average daytime temperatures during August hover around 28°C (82.4°F), slightly cooler than in July. Weather in August »

September in South Sudan marks the transition from the wet season to the dry season. This month sees a significant decrease in rainfall compared to August, with precipitation levels dropping to approximately 90mm (3.54"). This marks the beginning of the end of the heavy downpours that have characterized the previous months. Average daytime temperatures in September start to rise slightly, typically reaching around 29°C (84.2°F). Weather in September »

October in South Sudan is characterized by the definitive onset of the dry season. Rainfall in October significantly decreases compared to September, dropping to about 40mm (1.57"), marking the end of the heavy downpours experienced during the wet season. Average daytime temperatures in October rise to 31°C (87.8°F), a clear increase from the 29°C (84.2°F) observed in September. Weather in October »

November in South Sudan represents the dry season in full effect. Rainfall levels in this month further decrease compared to October, often dropping to less than 10mm (0.39"). This substantial reduction in precipitation marks the dominance of the dry weather pattern. Average daytime temperatures in November remain around 31°C (87.8°F), consistent with October's measurements. Weather in November »

December in South Sudan marks the peak of the dry season. Rainfall during this month is nearly nonexistent, often registering less than 5mm (0.2"). This follows the trend set in November and solidifies the dominance of dry weather conditions. Average daytime temperatures in December hover around 32°C (89.6°F), a slight increase from the 31°C (87.8°F) observed in November. Weather in December »