Climate Insights for Bulawayo

Bulawayo Province, Zimbabwe

Hottest
October
30°C peak86°F peak
Coldest
July
7°C low44°F low
Wettest
January
166 mm rain6.6 in rain
Best to Visit
March, April, May
Mild temps & low rain

Climate Overview

The climate in Bulawayo is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 20°C and approximately 645 mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 166 mm 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, September. The coldest months are July, June, May, when temperatures can drop to 7°C.The climate in Bulawayo is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 68°F and approximately 25.4 in of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 6.6 in 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, September. The coldest months are July, June, May, when temperatures can drop to 44°F.

Temperature

0°5°10°15°20°25°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 27°Average: 22°Min: 17°FebMax: 27°Average: 22°Min: 17°MarMax: 27°Average: 21°Min: 16°AprMax: 26°Average: 19°Min: 13°MayMax: 24°Average: 17°Min: 10°JunMax: 22°Average: 14°Min: 7°JulMax: 22°Average: 14°Min: 7°AugMax: 26°Average: 18°Min: 10°SepMax: 29°Average: 21°Min: 13°OctMax: 30°Average: 23°Min: 15°NovMax: 29°Average: 23°Min: 17°DecMax: 28°Average: 23°Min: 17°
Max
Average
Min
0°F10°F20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°F80°F90°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 81°FAverage: 71°FMin: 63°FFebMax: 81°FAverage: 71°FMin: 63°FMarMax: 81°FAverage: 70°FMin: 60°FAprMax: 79°FAverage: 67°FMin: 56°FMayMax: 76°FAverage: 62°FMin: 49°FJunMax: 72°FAverage: 58°FMin: 45°FJulMax: 71°FAverage: 57°FMin: 44°FAugMax: 78°FAverage: 64°FMin: 50°FSepMax: 85°FAverage: 70°FMin: 55°FOctMax: 86°FAverage: 73°FMin: 59°FNovMax: 85°FAverage: 73°FMin: 62°FDecMax: 83°FAverage: 73°FMin: 63°F
Max
Average
Min

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 4°C shift in average temperatures.Temperatures in Bulawayo vary considerably across the year, with a 42°F difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is October, when average highs reach 86°F and the mean temperature sits around 73°F. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 44°F and an average of 57°F. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 24°F between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between July and August, with a 7°F shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm50mm100mm150mm200mmJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 166mmFebPrecipitation: 142mmMarPrecipitation: 43mmAprPrecipitation: 29mmMayPrecipitation: 3mmJunPrecipitation: 3mmJulPrecipitation: 2mmAugPrecipitation: 1mmSepPrecipitation: 2mmOctPrecipitation: 19mmNovPrecipitation: 86mmDecPrecipitation: 149mm
Precipitation
0in2in4in6inJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 6.6inFebPrecipitation: 5.6inMarPrecipitation: 1.7inAprPrecipitation: 1.2inMayPrecipitation: 0.1inJunPrecipitation: 0.1inJulPrecipitation: 0.1inAugPrecipitation: 0inSepPrecipitation: 0.1inOctPrecipitation: 0.7inNovPrecipitation: 3.4inDecPrecipitation: 5.9in
Precipitation

Bulawayo is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 645 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 54 mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 166 mm of rainfall. December and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 1 mm. That's 165 mm 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 a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 25.4 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 2.1 in per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 6.5 in of rainfall. December and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 0 in. That's 6.5 in 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.

Wind

0km/h5km/h10km/h15km/hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 13km/hFebWind Speed: 12km/hMarWind Speed: 13km/hAprWind Speed: 12km/hMayWind Speed: 12km/hJunWind Speed: 12km/hJulWind Speed: 13km/hAugWind Speed: 13km/hSepWind Speed: 14km/hOctWind Speed: 15km/hNovWind Speed: 13km/hDecWind Speed: 12km/h
Wind Speed
0mph5mph10mphJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 8mphFebWind Speed: 8mphMarWind Speed: 8mphAprWind Speed: 8mphMayWind Speed: 7mphJunWind Speed: 8mphJulWind Speed: 8mphAugWind Speed: 8mphSepWind Speed: 9mphOctWind Speed: 9mphNovWind Speed: 8mphDecWind Speed: 7mph
Wind Speed

Bulawayo 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 October, averaging 15km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months.Bulawayo is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 8mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 9mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 7mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2mph between the calmest and windiest months.

Best Time to Visit

Jan22°71°F
Feb22°71°F
Mar21°70°F
Apr19°67°F
May17°62°F
Jun14°58°F
Jul14°57°F
Aug18°64°F
Sep21°70°F
Oct23°73°F
Nov23°73°F
Dec23°73°F

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 26 mm 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 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 69°F with modest rainfall averaging 1 in per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 44°F. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

Monthly Climate Data

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.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 Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
17 °C63 °F
27 °C81 °F
13 km/h8 mph
166 mm6.6 in
0 cm0 in
Feb
17 °C63 °F
27 °C81 °F
12 km/h8 mph
142 mm5.6 in
0 cm0 in
Mar
16 °C60 °F
27 °C81 °F
13 km/h8 mph
43 mm1.7 in
0 cm0 in
Apr
13 °C56 °F
26 °C79 °F
12 km/h8 mph
29 mm1.2 in
0 cm0 in
May
10 °C49 °F
24 °C76 °F
12 km/h7 mph
3 mm0.1 in
0 cm0 in
Jun
7 °C45 °F
22 °C72 °F
12 km/h8 mph
3 mm0.1 in
0 cm0 in
Jul
7 °C44 °F
22 °C71 °F
13 km/h8 mph
2 mm0.1 in
0 cm0 in
Aug
10 °C50 °F
26 °C78 °F
13 km/h8 mph
1 mm0 in
0 cm0 in
Sep
13 °C55 °F
29 °C85 °F
14 km/h9 mph
2 mm0.1 in
0 cm0 in
OctCurrent
15 °C59 °F
30 °C86 °F
15 km/h9 mph
19 mm0.7 in
0 cm0 in
Nov
17 °C62 °F
29 °C85 °F
13 km/h8 mph
86 mm3.4 in
0 cm0 in
Dec
17 °C63 °F
28 °C83 °F
12 km/h7 mph
149 mm5.9 in
0 cm0 in