Weather by month for central Ethiopia, the best months to go and how Ethiopia's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 19°C to 21°C · 6–13 rain days
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 16°C to 21°C · 14–31 rain days
Jul
No months with tough weather, but these are only average.
Highs 16°C · 31 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best month: January | 20°C / 9°C | 6 days (20 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 8.8/10 |
| Best month: February | 21°C / 10°C | 9 days (41 mm) | 10.9 h/day | 8.3/10 |
| March | 21°C / 11°C | 14 days (103 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 7.2/10 |
| April | 20°C / 11°C | 22 days (228 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| May | 19°C / 10°C | 26 days (277 mm) | 10.2 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| June | 17°C / 10°C | 29 days (321 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 6.4/10 |
| July | 16°C / 10°C | 31 days (377 mm) | 7.5 h/day | 5.8/10 |
| August | 16°C / 9°C | 31 days (360 mm) | 8.5 h/day | 6.1/10 |
| September | 17°C / 9°C | 28 days (354 mm) | 9.6 h/day | 6.5/10 |
| October | 18°C / 9°C | 18 days (133 mm) | 11.0 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| Best month: November | 19°C / 8°C | 13 days (75 mm) | 11.2 h/day | 7.5/10 |
| Best month: December | 19°C / 8°C | 6 days (22 mm) | 11.0 h/day | 8.8/10 |
Figures for central Ethiopia; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
20°C / 9°C · 6 rain days · 10.8 h sun
January is one of the best months to go, with a score of 8.8. Days reach about 20°C and nights fall to about 9°C. Rain falls on around 6 days, with just 20 mm in total, and you get close to 11 hours of sun a day.
21°C / 10°C · 9 rain days · 10.9 h sun
February is still rated best, with a score of 8.3. Highs are about 21°C and lows about 10°C. Rain days rise to around 9, with 41 mm in total. It stays mostly dry, with about 11 hours of sun a day.
21°C / 11°C · 14 rain days · 10.6 h sun
March scores 7.2 and rates as good. The high is about 21°C, but rain now falls on about 14 days. The monthly total more than doubles to 103 mm. Plan for some wet days, or come earlier if dry weather matters most.
20°C / 11°C · 22 rain days · 10.0 h sun
April rates good with a score of 7, but the wet season is starting. Rain falls on about 22 days, with 228 mm in the month. Highs are near 20°C and you still get around 10 hours of sun. Bring a rain jacket and expect some wet days.
19°C / 10°C · 26 rain days · 10.2 h sun
May also scores 7, but the numbers show a wet month. Rain falls on 26 days, with 277 mm in total, and highs drop to about 19°C. If you want dry days, this is not a good time to go.
17°C / 10°C · 29 rain days · 9.0 h sun
June scores 6.4, still good on paper, but rain falls on 29 days and totals 321 mm. Highs are about 17°C and sunshine drops to 9 hours a day. Expect rain almost every day. Choose another month unless you are happy with wet travel.
16°C / 10°C · 31 rain days · 7.5 h sun
July is the weakest month, rated only ok with a score of 5.8. It is the wettest month, with 377 mm and rain on 30.8 days on average, so almost every day. Highs are just 16°C and sun falls to 7.5 hours. This is a bad time to go.
16°C / 9°C · 31 rain days · 8.5 h sun
August rates good at 6.1, but do not let that mislead you. Rain falls on 31 days on average, which means every day, with 360 mm in total. Highs are only about 16°C. For most travellers this is a poor time to go, because wet weather will shape every day.
17°C / 9°C · 28 rain days · 9.6 h sun
September scores 6.5. It is still very wet, with rain on about 28 days and 354 mm in total, and highs near 17°C. Sunshine climbs back to nearly 10 hours a day, but travellers who want dry weather should wait for the months ahead.
18°C / 9°C · 18 rain days · 11.0 h sun
October scores 7 and marks the end of the wet season. Rain days drop to about 18 and rainfall to 133 mm. Highs are around 18°C and you get about 11 hours of sun. Expect some showers, but conditions are clearly better than in September.
19°C / 8°C · 13 rain days · 11.2 h sun
November is rated best, with a score of 7.5. Rain falls on about 13 days, with 75 mm in total. Sunshine peaks at 11.2 hours a day, the highest of the year. Highs are about 19°C and lows around 8°C.
19°C / 8°C · 6 rain days · 11.0 h sun
December is the joint top month with January, scoring 8.8. Rain falls on only about 6 days, with 22 mm in total. Highs reach about 19°C, nights drop to about 8°C, and you get around 11 hours of sun. Pack a warm layer for the evenings.
By trip type
City sightseeing
January and December are the driest months, with 20–22 mm of rain over about 6 rain days. February is also dry, with highs near 21°C. November gets more rain (13 days) but has the most sun, at 11.2 hours a day.
Hiking & nature
January, December and February are best for trails, with only 6–9 rain days and 20–41 mm of rain. Pack warm layers, as lows drop to 8–10°C. Avoid June to September, when rain falls on 28–31 days a month.
Keep planning
FAQ
January and December are the best months, and both score 8.8. They are the driest months. January has about 6.1 rain days and 20 mm of rain. December has 6.2 rain days and 22 mm. Days are mild, with highs near 19.9°C in January and 19.3°C in December. You get about 11 hours of sun a day. February and November are also rated best.
July is the weakest month to visit, with a score of 5.8 and an "ok" rating. It is the wettest month, with about 377 mm of rain over 30.8 rain days. That means rain on almost every day. Sun drops to 7.5 hours a day, the lowest of the year. Highs reach only 15.9°C. If you can choose, go in December or January instead.
August is rated good with a score of 6.1, but expect rain every day. The data shows 31 rain days and about 360 mm of rain. Sun averages 8.5 hours a day. Highs are cool at around 16.1°C, with lows near 9.4°C. Pack proper rain gear. If you want dry weather, December to February is much better.
Yes, November is one of the best months, with a score of 7.5. The rains are ending. Rainfall drops to about 75 mm over 12.7 rain days, down from 133 mm in October. It has the most sun of any month, at 11.2 hours a day. Days reach about 18.6°C, but nights fall to around 8.4°C, so bring a warm layer.
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