Climate Insights for Butare

The climate in Butare is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 21°C and approximately 965mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 201mm of rainfall. Butare sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

Butare sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 15°C to 27°C. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 22°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 15°C and an average of 21°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs.

Butare is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 965mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 80mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 201mm of rainfall. October and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 3mm. That's 198mm 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.

Butare is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 1km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 2km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in April, with average winds dropping to 1km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 1km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Butare, which began on June 21, 2026. Butare sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in August at around 27°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 15°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 93 days from now.

The best time to visit Butare is during January, February, May, June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 45mm per month. 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 Butare 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.