Weather by month for central Lesotho, the best months to go and how Lesotho's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
Sep, Oct, Nov
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 16°C to 18°C · 6–13 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Dec
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 12°C to 20°C · 3–19 rain days
Jun, Jul
No months with tough weather, but these are only average.
Highs 9°C to 10°C · 2–3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C / 9°C | 19 days (178 mm) | 12.1 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| February | 19°C / 9°C | 15 days (139 mm) | 11.4 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| March | 18°C / 7°C | 13 days (80 mm) | 11.0 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| April | 15°C / 4°C | 8 days (52 mm) | 10.2 h/day | 6.7/10 |
| May | 13°C / 2°C | 4 days (18 mm) | 9.7 h/day | 6.5/10 |
| June | 10°C / -1°C | 2 days (10 mm) | 9.6 h/day | 5.5/10 |
| July | 9°C / -2°C | 3 days (13 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 5.1/10 |
| August | 12°C / 0°C | 3 days (16 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 6.4/10 |
| Best month: September | 16°C / 3°C | 6 days (29 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 7.9/10 |
| Best month: October | 18°C / 5°C | 10 days (66 mm) | 11.5 h/day | 7.9/10 |
| Best month: November | 18°C / 6°C | 13 days (82 mm) | 12.1 h/day | 7.5/10 |
| December | 20°C / 9°C | 18 days (124 mm) | 12.3 h/day | 7.0/10 |
Figures for central Lesotho; 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 · 19 rain days · 12.1 h sun
January is Lesotho's warmest month, with highs around 19.5°C and lows near 9°C. It's also the wettest, with rain on 18.6 days and 178mm falling, so expect frequent afternoon showers. The month scores a good 7, and New Year's Day falls on the 1st. Pack for sun and rain in the same day.
19°C / 9°C · 15 rain days · 11.4 h sun
February stays warm, with highs of 18.8°C, but rain is a little less frequent: 15.2 days and 139mm. It scores a good 7, matching January for overall conditions. Green, grassy highlands are the trade-off for the lingering wet-season showers.
18°C / 7°C · 13 rain days · 11.0 h sun
March brings drier, more settled weather: highs of 17.8°C and rain dropping to 12.5 days and 80mm. It's the best of the summer months, scoring 7.4 (good). Moshoeshoe Day, a public holiday, falls on 11 March, honouring the nation's founding king.
15°C / 4°C · 8 rain days · 10.2 h sun
April cools quickly, with highs of 14.5°C and lows down to 4.4°C. Rain drops sharply to 7.6 days and 52mm, making it noticeably drier than summer. It scores 6.7 (good). Good Friday and Easter Monday fall in early April, so expect local travel around these dates.
13°C / 2°C · 4 rain days · 9.7 h sun
May marks the start of Lesotho's cold, dry season: highs of 12.5°C, lows near 1.7°C, and only 4 rain days with 18mm. The score drops slightly to 6.5 (good) as nights turn frosty. Workers' Day (1 May) and Ascension Day (14 May) are public holidays this month.
10°C / -1°C · 2 rain days · 9.6 h sun
June is cold, with highs of just 9.7°C and lows falling to -1.1°C, so frost and freezing nights are common, especially in the highlands. Rain is rare, just 1.8 days and 10mm, but the cold brings the score down to 5.5 (ok). This is a tough month for anyone sensitive to low temperatures.
9°C / -2°C · 3 rain days · 9.8 h sun
July is the coldest month, with highs of only 9.4°C and lows of -1.6°C; snow is possible at higher elevations. Rain days rise slightly to 3.2 with 13mm, but the main challenge is the cold, giving a score of 5.1 (ok), the lowest of the year. King Letsie III's Birthday is marked on 17 July.
12°C / 0°C · 3 rain days · 10.5 h sun
August starts to warm up again, with highs of 12°C, though lows still dip to -0.1°C overnight. Rain stays light at 3.1 days and 16mm. The score climbs back to 6.4 (good) as the dry winter eases.
16°C / 3°C · 6 rain days · 11.3 h sun
September is one of the best months to visit: highs reach 16.1°C, lows rise to 3.4°C, and rain is still light at 5.9 days and 29mm. It scores 7.9, rated 'best', thanks to mild days and clearer skies as spring begins.
18°C / 5°C · 10 rain days · 11.5 h sun
October matches September as a top month, with highs of 17.8°C and a modest 9.9 rain days bringing 66mm. It also scores 7.9 ('best'). Independence Day, a national holiday, falls on 4 October, celebrating Lesotho's independence.
18°C / 6°C · 13 rain days · 12.1 h sun
November brings warmer days at 18.4°C and more rain returning, with 12.6 rain days and 82mm. It still scores 7.5, rated 'best', as temperatures are comfortable before the full wet season sets in.
20°C / 9°C · 18 rain days · 12.3 h sun
December is warm, with highs of 19.6°C, but rain picks up heavily: 17.5 days and 124mm, as the wet summer season takes hold. It scores a good 7. Christmas Day (25th) and Boxing Day (26th) are public holidays, and travellers should expect frequent showers.
By trip type
City sightseeing
September to November suit city trips best. Daytime highs rise from about 16°C to 18°C, with 11 to 12 sun hours. Rain builds through the season, from about 6 rain days in September to 13 in November.
Hiking & nature
April, May, August and September are best for hiking. Rain is low, with 3 to 8 rain days, and highs are 12°C to 16°C. Nights are cold: lows drop to about 0°C in August and 2°C in May, so pack warm layers.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Public holidays: Moshoeshoe Day (11 Mar)
Public holidays: Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr)
Public holidays: Workers' Day (1 May), Ascension Day (14 May), Africa Day/ Heroes' Day (25 May)
Public holidays: King Letsie III's Birthday (17 Jul)
Public holidays: Independence Day (4 Oct)
Public holidays: Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
September, October and November are the best months to visit Lesotho. They score 7.9, 7.9 and 7.5 out of 10. September is mild and fairly dry, with highs of 16.1°C, 5.9 rain days and 29 mm of rain. It gets warmer and wetter as spring goes on. By November, highs reach 18.4°C, but rain rises to 12.6 days and 82 mm.
July is an OK month for Lesotho, with a score of 5.1 out of 10. It is the coldest month. Highs average only 9.4°C and nights drop to -1.6°C, so expect frost and pack warm layers. The upside is dry weather, with just 3.2 rain days and 13 mm of rain. June is similar: highs of 9.7°C, lows of -1.1°C and only 1.8 rain days.
Yes, January is a good month, with a score of 7 out of 10. It is one of the warmest months, with highs of 19.5°C and lows of 9°C. It is also the wettest month. It averages 178 mm of rain over 18.6 rain days, so plan for wet days and flexible schedules. December is a little drier, with 124 mm of rain over 17.5 days.
Yes, April is a good month, with a score of 6.7 out of 10. Rain falls sharply after summer, to 7.6 rain days and 52 mm, compared with 80 mm in March. Days are cool, with highs of 14.5°C. Nights get cold, with lows of 4.4°C. If you prefer drier weather and can handle the chill, April is a reasonable choice.
Enter to search · Esc to close