Climate Insights for Pemba

The climate in Pemba is hot. The average annual temperature is 26°C and approximately 1179mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 262mm of rainfall. Pemba 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: November, December, March. The coldest months are July, August, June, when temperatures can drop to 21°C.

Pemba has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 10°C range. The warmest month is November, when average highs reach 31°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 21°C and an average of 24°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows.

Pemba is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1179mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 98mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 262mm of rainfall. December and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 10mm. That's 251mm 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.

Pemba is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 3km/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 4km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, 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 2km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Pemba, which began on June 21, 2026. Pemba 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 November at around 31°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 21°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 92 days from now.

The best time to visit Pemba is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 24°C with modest rainfall averaging 12mm per month. By contrast, November can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 31°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Pemba 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.