Average Summer Weather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Key Climate Facts

If you’re heading to Dar es Salaam, get ready for warm, humid weather that really shapes daily life here. In summer, average daytime highs usually hit around 32°C (about 89°F), and high humidity makes the air feel even heavier than the numbers suggest.

Nights stay warm too, so don’t expect much relief after sunset.

You’ll notice cloud cover gets thicker during this season. Showers pop up often, especially during the rainiest months.

Rain might disrupt outdoor plans, but honestly, it brings a nice break from the heat and makes the city look extra green.

If you understand how temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine all mix together in Dar es Salaam’s summer, you’ll know what to pack and how to plan your days. The heat, moisture, and sea breezes really define what it’s like to be here in these months.

Overview of Dar es Salaam’s Summer Climate

Dar es Salaam summers feel hot and humid, thanks to its spot right on the Indian Ocean. Expect steady warmth, lots of clouds, and muggy air that sticks around day and night.

Geographical Location and Climate Zone

The city sits on Tanzania’s eastern coast, hugging the Indian Ocean. Its low elevation—about 24 meters above sea level—and closeness to the water really shape the weather.

Dar es Salaam falls into the tropical wet and dry (savanna) climate zone, or Aw in the Köppen system. You get clear wet and dry seasons, but the summer months always stay warm and humid.

The ocean smooths out big temperature swings, so you almost never see dramatic highs or lows. Daytime temperatures usually stay between 29°C and 33°C, and nights hover near 22°C to 27°C.

Sea surface temperatures average around 28°C, which adds to the sticky feel.

Typical Summer Weather Patterns

You’ll run into high humidity almost every day in summer, with muggy conditions pretty much 100% of the time. The heat feels stronger, especially in the afternoons.

Clouds become a regular sight, and the sky stays overcast or mostly cloudy more than half the time. In February, cloud cover peaks at about 75%.

That means less direct sunshine, but the heat doesn’t really go away.

Rain falls steadily but not in wild amounts. On average, about 69 mm of rain drops over a 31-day period, usually in short, sharp showers instead of long storms.

Winds blow at a moderate pace, around 16 km/h, coming from the east early in summer and shifting north later on.

Daylight doesn’t change much, ranging from about 12 hours 14 minutes to 12 hours 31 minutes. Sunrises happen close to 6:00 a.m., and sunsets land between 6:26 p.m. and 6:48 p.m.

Comparison With Other Tanzanian Cities

If you compare Dar es Salaam to inland places like Dodoma, you’ll notice it feels hotter and more humid all year. Dodoma, in central Tanzania, has a semi-arid climate with less humidity and bigger temperature swings from day to night.

Other coastal cities—Tanga or Zanzibar, for example—have similar weather, though rainfall can shift a bit. Zanzibar usually gets heavier rains during the long rainy season, while Dar es Salaam’s showers spread out more evenly.

When you visit higher-up spots like Arusha or Mbeya, you’ll find much cooler nights and less humidity. Daytime highs there hover around 25°C during summer, which feels a lot different than Dar’s coastal heat.

This mix of steady warmth, high humidity, and ocean air really sets Dar es Salaam apart from inland cities.

Average Daytime Temperature in Summer

Summer in Dar es Salaam brings steady warmth, with only small changes month to month. Daytime highs stay in a tight range, but even little shifts between day and night can change how the heat feels.

Monthly Temperature Ranges

In June, July, and August, the average daytime temperature usually falls between 27°C (81°F) and 29°C (84°F). These numbers are a bit cooler than the hotter months like February or March.

The tropical coastal setting keeps temperatures pretty stable, so you won’t see big swings from week to week.

Here’s a quick look at the range:

The numbers show how stable the summer climate stays, with only about a one-degree difference across the season.

Day Versus Night Temperature Differences

Daytime highs average around 28°C (82°F) in summer, and nighttime lows dip to about 21–22°C (70–72°F). That 6–7°C difference gives you a nice, noticeable cooling effect after sunset.

Humidity drops a bit compared to wetter months, so evenings often feel more refreshing. Coastal breezes help take the edge off, especially near the ocean.

You’ll get warm but not stifling nights. That’s good news if you like evening activities—outdoor dining or a walk along the waterfront feels much better now than in the sticky, hotter months.

Hottest and Coolest Summer Months

August usually feels the warmest, with highs just above 28°C (83°F). July tends to be the coolest, averaging closer to 27.5°C (82°F).

The difference is small, but you might notice slightly warmer afternoons as summer moves toward September.

None of the summer months get excessively hot, but the steady sunshine and humidity can still make the air feel heavy. If you’re planning outdoor activities, mornings or late afternoons are your best bet.

If you like milder conditions, July gives you the nicest combo of lower humidity, cooler nights, and reasonable daytime highs. August runs a bit warmer but stays comfortable for most visitors.

Rainfall and Showers During Summer

In Dar es Salaam, summer brings some of the lowest rainfall of the year. Showers are shorter and lighter than in spring, so you’ll see clearer skies and longer stretches of sun.

Average Monthly Rainfall

From June to August, rainfall averages stay very low. June and July each get about 22 mm (0.9 in), while August comes in at around 23 mm (0.9 in).

That’s a huge drop compared to the April rains, which can go over 150 mm.

Summer is one of the driest times here. Showers are brief and scattered, not the long downpours you might expect. Many days pass with no measurable rain at all.

For travelers, that means you can count on mostly dry days. City tours and beach trips rarely get interrupted by rain.

Frequency and Intensity of Showers

You’ll see fewer showers in summer than in other seasons. On average, you might get 17 to 18 wet days per month, but most bring only light or passing rain.

Rainfall intensity drops too. Instead of heavy, drawn-out storms, you’re more likely to get a quick shower followed by sunshine.

These usually happen early in the morning or late in the evening, so most of the day stays dry.

Humidity also drops a bit compared to wetter months, making the lighter showers less sticky. This mix of brief rain and sunshine keeps things comfortable for locals and visitors alike.

Seasonal Rainfall Variations

The summer dry spell fits into a bigger seasonal cycle. Rainfall peaks in March and April, then drops sharply by June.

From June to September, the region goes through its driest stretch.

This pattern comes from shifts in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which moves northward mid-year. As a result, Dar es Salaam gets less moisture from the winds.

By late September, rainfall starts to climb again, signaling the short rains in October and November.

Relative Humidity in the Summer Months

Humidity stays pretty high in Dar es Salaam during summer, but you’ll notice some small changes from month to month. These shifts can change how comfortable it feels outside and might affect when you want to go sightseeing or hit the beach.

Monthly Humidity Trends

From June to August, relative humidity typically sits between 75% and 77%. That’s lower than the peak in April, but it’s still humid.

Nights often feel damp, and mornings can start off sticky.

• June: About 77% relative humidity, with less rain making things a bit less oppressive.
• July: Drops slightly to around 75%, making it one of the more comfortable months.
• August: Stays close to 75%, so the air feels moist but not as heavy as in the wet season.

Daytime breezes from the Indian Ocean help a little, while evenings can feel warmer and closer. These values don’t change much, so you can expect steady humidity without big swings.

Impact on Comfort and Activities

High humidity and warm temps can really affect your comfort. Humidity slows down how fast your body cools itself, so you might feel warmer than the thermometer says.

Light clothes, drinking water often, and taking breaks in the shade help a lot.

Outdoor activities like walking tours or market visits work best in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun’s not so fierce. The beach stays popular, since sea breezes make the humid air easier to handle.

If you’re planning indoor time, air-conditioned spots like museums or restaurants offer a break. Even with high humidity, the drier summer compared to the rainy months makes this a good time to explore the city.

Sunshine Hours and Daylight Patterns

Dar es Salaam gets steady daylight all year, but sunshine hours shift a bit with the seasons. You’ll see more sun during the dry months and fewer hours when it’s wettest.

Average Daily Sunshine Hours

In summer, you usually get 7 to 9 hours of sunshine per day. The exact amount depends on cloud cover and how much it rains.

December often brings long sunny spells, while January tends to have more clouds.

April, not quite summer, is the cloudiest month with about 5 hours of sun daily. October gets close to 9 hours. During the main summer stretch, sunshine stays pretty consistent, so you can count on reliable daylight for outdoor plans.

Here’s a quick look at average sunshine hours:

Most days are bright, though afternoon showers might briefly cut down on sunlight.

Longest and Shortest Days in Summer

Dar es Salaam sits pretty close to the equator, so daylight hours barely change much. You get about 12 hours of daylight year-round, with only small shifts of 15 to 20 minutes.

In December, the longest day stretches to about 12 hours and 30 minutes. By late June, the shortest day drops just under 11 hours and 50 minutes.

Honestly, these small differences are hard to notice if you’re used to places farther from the equator.

Since daylight stays steady, most people focus more on cloudiness than on day length. Even when it’s overcast, the sun rises and sets at almost the same times every day.

You can count on a pretty reliable routine for outdoor plans, rain or shine.

Wind Speed and Weather Comfort

Winds in Dar es Salaam shift through the year, and that changes how comfortable it feels outside. Some months stay calm, while others bring stronger breezes that really shape the summer weather.

Average Wind Speed by Month

Winds here stay gentle compared to a lot of other coastal cities. The average wind speed runs from about 1 m/s (3.6 km/h or 2.2 mph) in April up to 4 m/s (14.4 km/h or 8.9 mph) in January.

During summer—December to February—the winds pick up a bit. January stands out as the windiest month, with breezes strong enough to make flags flap and your clothes move.

April, on the other hand, feels much calmer. Sometimes, the air is so still you’ll barely notice it.

Here’s a quick look:

These numbers give you a rough idea of when to expect stronger winds or a calmer atmosphere.

Typical Wind Directions

Winds in Dar es Salaam usually blow in from the Indian Ocean, which sits right to the east. That coastal location brings in sea breezes, especially in the afternoons.

During summer, you’ll often feel the wind coming from the northeast and east. Those breezes carry warm, moist air, bumping up the humidity.

Sometimes, local winds head inland and then circle back toward the coast, so you get a steady but gentle flow.

Since the city hugs the shoreline, completely still days are rare. Even in the quietest months, the ocean keeps the air moving, so things never feel too stuffy.

Effects of Wind on Summer Weather

Wind speed really shapes how comfortable you feel outside. In January and February, stronger winds push humid air around, so you actually get some relief from the heat.

This breeze makes it a lot easier to be active outdoors than on those still, sticky days.

But when the wind nearly disappears—like it often does in April—the air just sits there, feeling heavy and kind of suffocating. Sweat doesn’t dry off as quickly, and the humidity seems to cling to you.

If you’re heading to the beach, you’ll notice how strong winds kick up choppier waves. On the other hand, gentle breezes mean the water’s calmer and better for swimming.

Whether you’re strolling through the city or just chilling by the coast, the way the average wind speed shifts really changes how the summer feels.

• Articles on Atmospheric Phenomena
• Articles on Electrical Storms
• Articles on Fire
• Articles on Snow and Ice
• Articles on Surface Movement
• Articles on Temperature
• Articles on Water
• Articles on Wind
• Regional Weather Articles