Climate Insights for Dire Dawa

The climate in Dire Dawa is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 20°C and approximately 881mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 166mm of rainfall. Dire Dawa sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

Dire Dawa sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 13°C to 28°C. The warmest month is June, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 22°C. December is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 13°C and an average of 18°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs.

Dire Dawa is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 881mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 73mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 166mm of rainfall. August and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 7mm. That's 159mm less than April, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Dire Dawa is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 8km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is July, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in November, with average winds dropping to 6km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 7km/h in winter, 7km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 7km/h in autumn.

It is currently summer in Dire Dawa, which began on June 21, 2026. Dire Dawa sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced. Temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in June at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in December near 13°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (10 days from now).

The best time to visit Dire Dawa is during January, February, March, June, July, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 43mm per month. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Dire Dawa based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.