Climate Insights for Bulawayo

The climate in Bulawayo is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 20°C and approximately 608mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 145mm of rainfall. Bulawayo 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, November, December. The coldest months are July, June, May, when temperatures can drop to 7°C.

Temperatures in Bulawayo vary considerably across the year, with a 23°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is October, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 7°C and an average of 14°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 13°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between July and August, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Bulawayo is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 608mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 51mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 145mm of rainfall. February and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 2mm. That's 143mm 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.

Bulawayo is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 18km/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 20km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 15km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently autumn in Bulawayo, which began on March 20, 2026. Bulawayo 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 30°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 7°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Bulawayo is during March, April, May, 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 27mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 7°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Bulawayo 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.