When you picture fall in Harare, you’ll probably imagine mild days and cooler nights. The city steadily shifts toward the dry season.
Average high temperatures start in the upper 70s °F in early March and slide down to the low 70s °F by May. Lows move from the low 60s °F to about 50°F. That’s a pretty comfortable range for outdoor plans, and you don’t have to worry about the heavy summer rains.
Cloud cover and rainfall drop off quickly during fall. You’ll get more clear skies and longer stretches of sunshine.
By late fall, rain is rare, so mornings feel crisp and afternoons are bright.
If you’re thinking of visiting, fall brings pleasant temperatures, fewer wet days, and lots of daylight. The days do get shorter as fall goes on, but it’s still a great time to explore Harare or head out to the countryside.
Overview of Fall Weather in Harare
Fall in Harare brings a steady cooling trend, a sharp drop in rainfall, and drier air. The city’s temperate highland tropical climate—thanks to its elevation near 1,500 meters—really shapes the season.
Typical Temperature Ranges
Daily temperatures in Harare drop gradually as fall progresses. Early March brings average highs of about 78°F (25–26°C), and by late May, highs settle closer to 71°F (22°C).
Overnight lows cool off more, going from 62°F (17°C) at the start of fall to about 50°F (10°C) by the end.
Extreme heat rarely happens in fall. Highs above 84°F (29°C) are unusual, and lows below 45°F (7°C) only pop up occasionally.
The season feels mild compared to summer’s heat and rain or winter’s chill.
Harare’s elevation creates a real difference between daytime and nighttime. You’ll want light clothes for the day, but you’ll probably reach for an extra layer at night.
That daily swing is just part of life in Harare during fall.
Seasonal Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall drops off fast as the wet season ends. At the start of March, there’s about a 38% chance of a rainy day, but by late May, that falls to nearly 1%.
The average 31‑day rainfall plummets from around 3.9 inches (100 mm) in March to just 0.1 inches (2–3 mm) by the end of fall.
By April, showers become rare. May brings dry, sunny days almost every day.
Cloudy days fade away too. The overcast skies of early March turn mostly clear by late May.
You get more stable weather, perfect for outdoor plans or travel.
Humidity and Dew Point Trends
Humidity in Harare drops steadily through fall. Muggy days are about 4% likely in early March, but by mid‑May, they’re basically gone.
Dew points fall too, which means drier, more comfortable air.
Lower dew points help your sweat evaporate, so you feel cooler even if highs stay in the 70s. Fall air feels crisp and light, not sticky like summer.
At night, cooler temps and low humidity can make things feel chilly. The air feels much less heavy than in the rainy months, which is typical for Harare’s climate.
Temperature Details During Fall
In fall, Harare’s temperatures cool as the city shifts from late summer warmth to the dry season. Both daytime highs and nighttime lows drop, and evenings get noticeably cooler by late May.
Daytime Highs and Nighttime Lows
Daytime highs in fall usually stay between 78°F (25°C) in early March and 71°F (22°C) in late May. You won’t see many days above 84°F, so afternoons stay comfortable.
Nighttime lows drop more sharply. Early in the season, they average near 62°F (17°C), but by late May, you’ll see lows around 50°F (10°C).
Sometimes nights dip just below 50°F, making evenings feel much cooler.
The difference between warm afternoons and cool nights gives fall a refreshing feel. Plan your outdoor activities for the afternoon, but keep a light jacket handy for later.
Monthly Temperature Changes
You can really see the seasonal shift in the monthly averages.
- March: Highs near 78°F (25°C), lows around 62°F (17°C).
- April: Highs about 74°F (23°C), lows averaging 55°F (13°C).
- May: Highs drop to 71°F (22°C), lows reach 50°F (10°C).
By late May, mornings and evenings are crisp, but afternoons stay pleasant.
The biggest temperature change happens at night. From March to May, lows drop about 12°F, while highs only fall about 7°F.
Record Low Temperatures
Harare doesn’t usually get freezing weather, but record lows in fall can get down to the mid-40s °F (about 7°C). That’s rare, but it does happen, especially in late May.
Historical data shows lows rarely fall below 45°F (7°C). You probably won’t see frost, but the cooler nights can surprise visitors who expect subtropical warmth all year.
If you’re staying in Harare during fall, expect mild days but prepare for chilly mornings and nights.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Rainfall in Harare shifts fast between wet and dry seasons, so the weather can feel completely different from month to month. You’ll get heavy rains in summer, but by late fall, the city dries out with fewer rainy days and much lower totals.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Harare averages about 853 mm of rain a year, but it’s not spread out evenly. January is the wettest, with over 200 mm, while August sees just 1–2 mm.
During the fall months (March to May), rainfall drops off. March brings 80–110 mm, April falls to 30–40 mm, and May averages less than 10 mm.
Here’s a quick look at the averages:
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|
| March | 80–110 | 7–10 |
| April | 30–40 | 3–5 |
| May | <10 | 1–2 |
You can see how quickly things dry out as fall goes on.
Probability of Wet Days
The odds of a wet day in Harare really depend on the month. January brings a 50–60% chance of rain any day, but by March, it’s down to 25–30%. By May, it drops below 5%.
This fits the city’s temperate highland tropical climate with dry winters.
March might still call for rain gear, but April and May are usually dry enough for outdoor plans.
Transition From Wet to Dry Season
You’ll notice the shift from wet to dry season most in fall. March can still bring late summer storms, but April signals a clear change.
By May, the dry season takes over, and rain is almost nonexistent.
This change affects humidity, cloud cover, and temperatures too. Nights get cooler, especially with Harare’s elevation at about 1,500 meters.
For agriculture, this shift matters for planting and harvesting. For visitors, it means you can leave the umbrella at home and just enjoy the dry, sunny days.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
In Harare during fall, the skies get much clearer and sunshine sticks around longer compared to the rainy months. You’ll see fewer overcast days, more bright skies, and steady daylight changes as the season rolls on.
Clear Skies and Cloud Cover
Fall brings a big drop in cloud cover. Early in the season, about 60% of days are overcast or mostly cloudy, but by late fall, that drops to less than 10%.
You’ll see more blue skies and far fewer gray days.
The change happens gradually. You might still get some afternoon clouds early in fall, but by the end, skies are usually clear for most of the day.
With fewer clouds, outdoor activities get a lot more enjoyable. You’ll also get better views for sightseeing or photography.
Average Daily Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Harare rise during fall. In September and October, expect around 9 hours of direct sun per day. By November, the average dips to about 7 hours as the wet season nears.
On average, Harare gets 65% of possible daylight hours as sunshine through the year, and fall months usually hit the higher end of that range.
Cloudy spells can still pop up, but they’re brief. The steady sunshine keeps afternoons warm without getting too hot.
Daylight Duration Changes
Daylight in Harare stretches out during fall. In September, days last about 12 hours. By November, they’re closer to 13 hours.
Here’s a handy reference:
| Month | Average Daylight |
|---|---|
| September | ~12h 01m |
| October | ~12h 32m |
| November | ~12h 58m |
Longer days mean more time for outdoor plans. Even if you get some clouds early in the season, there’s still plenty of daylight for activities.
You’ll notice earlier sunrises and later sunsets as fall heads toward summer.
Humidity and Dew Point in Fall
Fall in Harare brings a steady drop in humidity and dew point. The air dries out as the city moves from the end of the cool dry period toward the start of the rainy season. These changes really shape how comfortable the weather feels.
Relative Humidity Levels
Humidity shifts clearly in fall. Early in the season, daily humidity is still moderate after the cooler months.
By September, average relative humidity hits its lowest point at about 45%. The air feels dry compared to the rainy months.
As October arrives, humidity starts to climb again. That’s the signal that the wet season is on the way for November.
You might notice mornings aren’t quite as dry, but afternoons stay comfortable.
Lower humidity in early fall means you’re less likely to feel sticky or weighed down by the air. That makes outdoor plans easier, especially in the afternoons when temperatures approach 29°C (84°F).
Travelers often prefer this period for sightseeing since it’s a lot more pleasant than the humid summer months.
Dew Point Variations
The dew point really gives you a better idea of how moist the air actually feels. In Harare’s fall, it usually stays pretty low, which just shows how dry the climate is (here’s more on that).
Early in the season, you’ll see values dip near 8–10°C (46–50°F). That keeps mornings crisp and evenings cool—sometimes downright chilly if you’re not expecting it.
As October rolls on, the dew point starts to inch upward. This change matches the slow rise in humidity before the rainy season kicks in.
By late October, you might notice a bit more moisture in the air. Still, it feels much more comfortable than what you get during peak rainy months.
When the dew point is lower, sweat evaporates fast, so even with daytime highs in the upper 20s Celsius, you feel cooler. That mix of warm days and manageable dew points really defines Harare’s fall climate.
Travel Tips for Visiting Harare in Fall
You’ll find mild temperatures, clear skies, and not much rain, which makes fall a great time to visit Harare. Outdoor activities feel easier—there’s not much humidity to slow you down.
Still, evenings get cooler, and days start to shorten, so you’ll want to plan ahead for changing conditions.
Best Activities for the Season
Take advantage of the dry, sunny weather and get outside. Parks like Harare Gardens or the National Botanic Garden really shine when the skies are clear.
Wildlife trips to places like Lake Chivero also get easier since the roads stay less muddy compared to the rainy season.
If you’re in the mood for indoor activities, check out cultural spots like the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Markets such as Mbare Musika buzz with fresh seasonal produce and handmade crafts, and the drier weather makes it easier to wander around without worrying about sudden storms.
Cooler evenings make outdoor dining at local restaurants a lot more comfortable.
If you like photography, the clearer skies give you great light for snapping city landmarks and landscapes.
Packing and Preparation Advice
Pack clothing you can layer. Daytime temperatures usually feel warm, but nights get chilly, so toss in a light jacket or sweater.
A mix of short-sleeve shirts and long pants works for comfort and modesty. You might want to skip anything too heavy.
Rain probably won’t show up, but honestly, a small umbrella or light raincoat could still come in handy early in the season.
Bring comfortable walking shoes. You’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors exploring the city or checking out nearby spots.
Don’t forget sun protection. Grab sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, since Harare sits at a higher elevation and the sun feels stronger than you’d expect, even when it’s cool.
A reusable water bottle helps you stay hydrated while you’re out and about.