If you’re planning a trip to Benghazi, picking the right season can make all the difference. This Mediterranean coastal city gets warm summers, mild winters, and the occasional burst of rain. The conditions shift enough over the year to really change your visit. You’ll probably find the best weather in Benghazi during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when temperatures stay moderate and the skies usually stay clear.
These months let you dodge the heavy summer heat and the wetter winter stretch. Days feel warm enough for wandering through historical sites or soaking up the coast, and evenings cool off just enough to be comfortable. You’ll also have less rain to worry about, so it’s easier to make outdoor plans.
If you get a handle on Benghazi’s climate, you can plan with a bit more confidence. Knowing how the weather shifts—like when it’s hottest or when the rain’s likely—helps you make the most of your time in Libya’s second-largest city.
Overview of Benghazi’s Climate
Benghazi has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wetter winters and hot, dry summers. The city’s spot along the Gulf of Sirte shapes both temperature and rainfall, while desert winds sometimes sweep in with sudden heat and dryness.
Climate Classification and Location
You’ll find Benghazi in northeastern Libya, in Cyrenaica, right on the Mediterranean coast. The sea helps keep temperatures milder than in the inland deserts.
The climate falls under Mediterranean (Csa), but honestly, it leans toward semi-arid since rain doesn’t come often. Most of the rain falls in winter, while summers are almost bone dry.
Humidity usually stays on the higher side because of the sea. Sometimes desert winds, called Ghibli, blow in and suddenly dry things out while bumping up the heat. That mix of coastal breezes and desert gusts gives Benghazi a climate that’s pretty unique.
Temperature Ranges Throughout the Year
Benghazi’s temperatures swing from mild in winter to hot in summer. In January, which is the coldest month, nights drop to about 9°C and days reach 17°C. By August, the hottest month, nights stay around 22°C and days climb to 32°C.
Here’s a quick look at the average monthly temperatures:
| Month | Min °C | Max °C |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 | 17 |
| Apr | 14 | 24 |
| Jul | 22 | 31 |
| Aug | 22 | 32 |
| Oct | 18 | 28 |
| Dec | 11 | 18 |
The sea changes too. Water is coldest in winter, about 16–17°C, and warms up in late summer to 26–27°C. If you want to swim, August and September are your best bet.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Rain comes mostly in the cooler months. From November to February, expect light or moderate rain, with December usually being the wettest at about 69 mm. June through August are practically dry.
Summer brings long, sunny days, with about 12 hours of sunlight daily in July. Winters are shorter and a bit cloudier, but you still get 6–7 hours of sun each day.
Winds play a role too. Coastal breezes help keep the summer heat in check, but sometimes desert winds ramp up the temperature over 40°C. These hot spells don’t last long, but you’ll notice them.
Humidity peaks in winter, often topping 70%. Spring and early summer feel drier, making those times more comfortable for being outside.
Best Months to Visit Benghazi for Ideal Weather
Benghazi’s Mediterranean climate means hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The most pleasant times to visit usually fall between late winter and late spring, or early to mid-autumn, when temperatures are moderate and rain doesn’t get in the way much.
Optimal Periods for Comfortable Temperatures
You’ll find the most comfortable temperatures from late February through May, and again from October into early December. During these months, daytime highs usually land between 20°C and 28°C (68°F to 82°F)—warm, but not stifling.
July and August often jump above 32°C (90°F), which can feel a bit much, especially if it’s humid. In spring and autumn, nights cool off to 12–18°C (54–64°F), so evenings are perfect for a stroll or dinner outside.
Winter, especially January and February, cools down with highs around 17–18°C (63–65°F) and more rain. It’s still milder than a lot of places, but if you’re after dry and warm weather, this isn’t the prime season.
Recommended Months for Outdoor Activities
If you want to check out Benghazi’s coast, markets, or ruins, aim for March, April, October, and November. These months blend mild warmth with low rainfall, so you can count on more good days for sightseeing.
April really stands out, with almost no rain and highs near 25°C (77°F). May works too, though it gets warmer, with highs pushing 29°C (84°F)—a bit hot if you’re out all day.
In autumn, October and November balance cooler evenings with daytime highs in the 22–27°C (72–81°F) range. You can walk, take photos, or tour historical spots without sweating through your shirt.
Weather Highlights During Peak Travel Times
Tourism in Benghazi peaks in June through August, when schools are out and the weather is hot and dry. Highs hit 31–33°C (88–91°F) with barely a drop of rain. Be ready, though—the heat can limit how long you want to stay outside.
Spring, especially March to May, is the next busiest stretch. You get warm but manageable weather, usually 21–29°C (70–84°F), and hardly any rain. It’s much easier to plan day trips without worrying about the forecast.
Fewer people show up in autumn, even though the weather is great. October and November bring highs in the 22–27°C (72–81°F) range, light winds, and little rain. If you like fewer crowds and still want good weather, this is a smart pick.
Benghazi Weather by Season
Benghazi’s Mediterranean climate means mild, wetter winters and hot, dry summers. Rain is scarce and usually falls between late autumn and early spring. Sunshine sticks around for most of the year.
Spring Weather Overview
Spring in Benghazi runs from March through May. Temperatures climb fast—March averages around 15.5 °C, April hits 19 °C, and May reaches 22–23 °C. Nights stay cool at first but warm up by May.
Rain drops off after March. You might see 26 mm of rain in March, but April and May are mostly dry. Sunshine increases, with 9–10.5 hours per day, so it’s great for being outside.
Winds can pick up, sometimes coming from the desert and bringing sudden hot, dry conditions. The sea stays cool in March and April (16–17 °C), but by May it warms to about 19.5 °C. Swimming feels brisk, but late spring is your first shot at a dip.
Summer Weather Overview
Summer, from June through August, is hot, dry, and sunny. Daytime highs reach 31–32 °C, and nights stay warm at 20–22 °C. July and August are the hottest, with occasional spikes above 40 °C.
Rain? Basically none. June might see a trace, but July and August average 0 mm. Sunshine rules, with 11–12.5 hours per day, and skies stay clear.
Humidity can show up, especially along the coast, but desert winds sometimes sweep in to dry things out and raise the temperature. The sea heats up too, from 22.5 °C in June to 27 °C in August. Swimming is at its best in these months.
If you’re visiting, bring plenty of sun protection. It’s best to do outdoor stuff early or late in the day when it’s not so scorching.
Autumn Weather Overview
Autumn runs from September through November. Early autumn stays hot, with September averaging 26 °C and highs over 30 °C. By October, things cool off to around 23 °C, and November drops to 18–19 °C.
Rain starts to come back. September brings about 4 mm, October averages 16 mm, and November rises to 31 mm. Showers are usually short, and sunny days still win out. Daylight gets shorter, but you still get 7–9 hours of sunshine daily.
The sea stays warm in September (26.5 °C) and October (24.5 °C), then cools to 22 °C in November. Swimming is still doable through mid-autumn.
You get a nice mix of warm days, cooler nights, and fewer tourists, making it a good time for exploring.
Winter Weather Overview
Winter, from December through February, brings the wettest and coolest weather, but it’s still pretty mild. Daytime highs are 16–18 °C, with lows around 9–10 °C. Some nights can dip to 5 °C.
Rain is most common now. December averages 69 mm, January about 62 mm, and February 47 mm. You might see showers on 8–10 days per month, but they don’t usually last long.
Sunshine drops but doesn’t disappear, with 5.5–8 hours per day. The sea is coldest, at 16–17 °C, so swimming’s off the table.
Humidity stays up, and winds are more noticeable, sometimes making it feel cooler. Even with the rain, winter days still offer enough brightness for city walks and exploring.
Monthly Breakdown of Benghazi Weather
Benghazi’s Mediterranean climate brings mild, wetter winters and hot, dry summers. Rain mainly falls in the cooler months, while sunshine and warm seas dominate the rest of the year. Knowing how temperatures, rain, daylight, humidity, and wind shift each month can help you time your visit.
Temperature and Rainfall by Month
Winter months like January and February stay mild, with average highs around 16–17 °C and lows near 9 °C. Rain is most common, with about 60 mm in January and 47 mm in February. Nights can get close to 5 °C, but rarely lower.
From March to May, temperatures steadily rise. By May, highs hit 28 °C, and rain is scarce. April and May usually get just a few millimeters of rain—some of the driest spring months.
Summer, from June to August, is hot and dry. Highs reach 31–32 °C, and rain is almost nonexistent. July and August can go with zero measurable rain. Coastal breezes make the heat more bearable than inland.
September and October stay warm, with highs around 28–31 °C. Rain returns slowly in October, about 16 mm. By November and December, things cool down to 18–23 °C, and rain picks up again, peaking in December at nearly 70 mm.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
Benghazi ranks as one of North Africa’s sunniest cities, clocking about 3,280 hours of sunshine per year. Even in winter, you get 5–7 hours of sun a day. January averages 6.5 hours, while February and March bump up to 8 hours.
From April to August, sunshine is everywhere. June and July bring the longest days, with 11–12.5 hours of sun daily. July stands out as the brightest, with the sun shining about 90% of the time.
In autumn, daylight shortens, but skies mostly stay clear. September averages 9.5 hours of sun, October drops to 8 hours, and by December, days shrink to about 5.5 hours of sunshine.
Humidity and Wind Patterns
Benghazi usually feels pretty humid because it sits right on the coast. In winter, humidity often climbs above 70%, so the cold air feels damp and heavy.
By spring, humidity drops closer to 50–55%. That shift makes the air feel a lot more comfortable.
Summer pushes humidity back up to around 60–63%. Sure, the heat is real, but sea breezes often roll in and take the edge off.
The sea itself gets pretty warm, hitting 26–27 °C in August. Swimming becomes especially nice then.
Winds blow steadily all year. They usually range from 17–24 kph.
Spring, especially April and May, can get pretty breezy. Sometimes, hot desert winds sweep in from the south and send temperatures soaring, mostly in late spring and summer.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Benghazi’s weather really depends on its spot along the Mediterranean. Most rain falls during the cooler months. Summers, on the other hand, are almost completely dry.
These shifts shape when it’s best to get outdoors or do some sightseeing.
Wet and Dry Seasons
Benghazi’s rainfall lines up with the classic Mediterranean pattern: wet winters, dry summers. About three-quarters of the yearly rain comes between December and March.
From May through September, rain is almost nonexistent.
Winter storms rolling in from the Mediterranean bring steady showers. The rain doesn’t fall every day, but when it does, it sometimes lasts for days.
Summer skies, by contrast, stay mostly clear. You’ll see 0–3 mm of rain per month then, which gives the city a steppe-like climate.
You’ll spot green landscapes and cooler air in winter. In summer, expect dry, hot, and dusty weather.
With no summer rain, UV levels climb, and you’ll need to rely more on shade and staying hydrated.
Monthly Rainfall Averages
Rainfall in Benghazi jumps around a lot from month to month. The wettest stretch is December to January, when totals hit 60–66 mm on average.
February stays damp too, with about 40 mm of rain. By March, the numbers drop fast to around 18 mm, and April only sees about 5 mm.
Between May and September, rain is almost a rumor—usually 3 mm or less.
Rain picks up again in October (18 mm) and climbs in November (46 mm), before peaking once more in December.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) | Rain Days |
|---|---|---|
| January | 66 | ~12 |
| April | 5 | ~2 |
| July | 0 | 0 |
| November | 46 | ~7 |
Impact on Travel Plans
Rain patterns in Benghazi definitely shape comfort and trip planning. If you visit in winter, you’ll get cooler temperatures and the occasional wet day, so pack some light rain gear.
Streets sometimes get slick, but rain usually doesn’t last long enough to really disrupt travel.
In summer, the total lack of rain makes sightseeing predictable, though the heat and sun can get intense. You’ll want to plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening.
Shoulder months like October and November strike a nice balance, with mild temperatures and just enough rain to keep things comfortable.
Additional Weather Considerations for Travelers
When you plan a trip to Benghazi, don’t just check the temperature or rainfall. Sun strength, visibility, and sea conditions all matter if you want the best experience outdoors.
UV Index and Sun Exposure
Benghazi sits right on the Mediterranean, so sunlight is strong for much of the year. The UV index often hits high to very high from late spring into early autumn.
You can burn fast without protection, even if it feels cool or there’s a breeze.
It’s smart to use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), wear sunglasses with UV protection, and cover up when you can.
The midday hours—especially 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—bring the highest UV exposure.
In winter, the UV index drops but still stays moderate. If you’ll be outside, some sun protection is still a good idea.
The sea reflects sunlight too, so exposure can sneak up on you during beach days.
Cloud Cover and Visibility
Benghazi usually enjoys clear weather, with lots of sunny days. Cloud cover pops up more in winter, especially in January and February when it’s rainiest.
Even then, skies tend to clear quickly. Long stretches of overcast days don’t really happen here.
Visibility is usually great, which is perfect if you love sightseeing or photography.
Sometimes, dust and sand ride in on the wind, mostly during breezy spring months.
If you’re sensitive to air quality, you might want to know that these dust events don’t last long. For most travelers, they’re just a minor hassle.
Carrying sunglasses or a light scarf can help protect your eyes and face on those windier days.
Sea Temperature for Beach Activities
The Mediterranean waters off Benghazi usually stay pretty cool in winter. You’ll find the average is around 16–18°C (61–64°F).
Most people skip swimming during these months, though a few might still give it a try if they’re feeling brave or just want to wake up.
From late spring into early autumn, you’ll notice the sea warming up. By July and August, water temperatures often reach 26–28°C (79–82°F).
That’s when swimming, snorkeling, or just floating around feels fantastic.
If you love beach days, you’ll probably find the nicest sea conditions between June and September.
Outside those months, the water gets chilly for long swims, but honestly, coastal walks and the seaside views still have their own charm all year.