Climate Insights for Kitwe

The climate in Kitwe is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 21°C and approximately 1141mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 280mm of rainfall. Kitwe 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: October, September, November. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 11°C.

Temperatures in Kitwe vary considerably across the year, with a 21°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is October, when average highs reach 32°C and the mean temperature sits around 25°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 11°C and an average of 18°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between August and September, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Kitwe is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1141mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 95mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 280mm of rainfall. February and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 0mm. That's 280mm 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.

Kitwe is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 16km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 10km/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 15km/h in winter, 15km/h in spring, 11km/h in summer, 13km/h in autumn.

It is currently autumn in Kitwe, which began on March 20, 2026. Kitwe 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 October at around 32°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 11°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Kitwe is during April, May, June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 11mm per month. By contrast, October can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 32°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kitwe 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.