Climate Insights for Musanze

The climate in Musanze is temperate. The average annual temperature is 18°C and approximately 1873mm of precipitation falls per year. November is the wettest month, receiving around 260mm of rainfall. Musanze sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

Musanze has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 9°C range. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 23°C with a mean of 18°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 14°C and an average of 18°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows.

Musanze is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1873mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 156mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 260mm of rainfall. April and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 23mm. That's 236mm less than November, 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.

Musanze 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 August, averaging 12km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in April, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 4km/h 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, 10km/h in spring, 9km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.

It is currently autumn in Musanze, which began on March 20, 2026. Musanze sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in August at around 23°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 14°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Musanze is during May, June, July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 53mm 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 Musanze 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.