Climate Insights for Lilongwe

The climate in Lilongwe is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 21°C and approximately 821mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 244mm of rainfall. Lilongwe is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed: summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: November, October, December. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 11°C.

Lilongwe sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 11°C to 30°C. The warmest month is November, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 24°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 11°C and an average of 17°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between August and September, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Lilongwe is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 821mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 68mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 244mm of rainfall. February and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 1mm. That's 243mm less than January, 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.

Lilongwe is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 10km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in January, with average winds dropping to 7km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 11km/h in winter, 13km/h in spring, 8km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Lilongwe, which began on September 23, 2026. Lilongwe is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed: spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in November at around 30°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 11°C. Summer is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).

The best time to visit Lilongwe is during April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 13mm per month. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Lilongwe 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.