Climate Insights for Dire Dawa

The climate in Dire Dawa is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 23°C and approximately 825mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 412mm of rainfall. Dire Dawa sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

Dire Dawa sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 13°C to 32°C. The warmest month is March, when average highs reach 32°C and the mean temperature sits around 26°C. December is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 13°C and an average of 20°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between February and March, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Dire Dawa is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 825mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 69mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 412mm of rainfall. May and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 7mm. That's 405mm less than April, 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.

Dire Dawa is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is June, averaging 3km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in April, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Dire Dawa, which began on June 21, 2026. Dire Dawa sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in March at around 32°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in December near 13°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 52 days from now.

The best time to visit Dire Dawa is during January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 23°C with modest rainfall averaging 40mm per month. By contrast, March can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 32°C. 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 Dire Dawa 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.