Climate Insights for Kisumu

The climate in Kisumu is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 22°C and approximately 1451mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 282mm of rainfall. Kisumu sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

Kisumu sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 17°C to 30°C. The warmest month is March, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 24°C. June is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 17°C and an average of 21°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between March and April, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.

Kisumu is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1451mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 121mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 282mm of rainfall. May and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 25mm. That's 257mm 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.

Kisumu 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 December, averaging 2km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 1km/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 winter in Kisumu, which began on June 21, 2026. Kisumu 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 30°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in June near 17°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 52 days from now.

The best time to visit Kisumu is during February, March, June, July, August, September and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 22°C with modest rainfall averaging 70mm per month. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely — pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kisumu 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.