If you’re planning to spend time in Lusaka during the fall months, you’ll definitely notice the weather shifting as the rainy season fades and the dry season starts to settle in. Average fall weather in Lusaka brings cooler temperatures, less rainfall, clearer skies, and much more comfortable days for being outside. This transition really makes fall one of the best times to get out and explore the city or wander farther afield.
You’ll see daily highs gradually drop from the upper 70s °F to the mid-70s. Nights cool off more sharply, sometimes dipping below 50°F.
Rain showers become less common as the season goes on, opening up long stretches of dry, sunny days. By late fall, cloudy days are honestly pretty rare.
These steady changes in temperature, rainfall, and daylight create a comfortable balance. Fall just feels practical for sightseeing or daily life.
With lower humidity and mild winds, the weather feels less intense. You get to enjoy Lusaka without the extremes of the wet or hot seasons.
Overview of Fall Climate in Lusaka
Fall in Lusaka brings a steady shift from the rainy season toward the dry winter months. Nights get cooler, clouds thin out, and rainfall drops sharply as the weeks go by.
Temperatures stay mild to warm during the day, but evenings turn noticeably cooler.
Defining Fall in Zambia
In Zambia, fall runs from March through May. This period comes right after the peak rainy season in January and February, leading into the dry winter.
You’ll see the weather change quickly. March still brings some rain, but by May, it’s almost completely dry.
Daytime highs in March average around 79°F (26°C). By May, they drop closer to 74°F (23°C).
Nighttime lows fall more sharply, from about 63°F (17°C) in early March to 49°F (9°C) by late May.
Rainfall decreases fast during this season. At the start, you might get about 4 inches (100 mm) of rain in March, but by May, it’s nearly zero.
This makes fall an important bridge between the wet and dry halves of the year.
Geographic and Climatic Context
Lusaka sits at about 15° south latitude and an elevation of roughly 4,190 feet (1,280 meters) above sea level. These factors help keep the climate cooler than you’d expect for a tropical city at this latitude.
The city sits on a plateau, which means lower humidity and more comfortable temperatures. Even when daytime highs feel warm, evenings can cool off quickly.
That difference between day and night temperatures really stands out in fall.
The climate classification for Lusaka is humid subtropical with a dry winter (Cwa). The city gets a clear wet season from November to March, then a dry season from May to September.
Fall lands right in the transition zone where these two patterns meet.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During fall, you’ll experience clearer skies as cloud cover drops from about 67% in March to only 10% by late May. Sunshine hours go up, so days get brighter and nights get cooler.
Humidity drops sharply too. Early March can still feel muggy, but by May, the air is much drier.
This shift makes being outside a lot more comfortable, though you might want a light jacket for the evenings.
Winds pick up just a little as the season moves along, averaging 7 to 9 mph, mostly from the east. Daylight hours shorten gradually, from about 12 hours in March to just over 11 hours by the end of May.
Temperature Trends During Fall
In Lusaka, fall temperatures gradually cool as the rainy season ends and drier air takes over. Days stay warm, but nights become noticeably cooler, and you can really feel the difference.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
You can expect daily high temperatures to slide slowly from about 79°F (26°C) in early March to around 74°F (23°C) by the end of May.
Highs rarely go above 85°F (29°C) or below 69°F (21°C) during this stretch.
Nighttime lows drop more quickly. At the start of fall, lows hover near 63°F (17°C), but by late May, they fall to about 49°F (9°C).
On cooler nights, temperatures sometimes dip toward 45°F (7°C), especially if you’re at higher elevations.
This steady decrease in both highs and lows marks the shift from the wet to the dry season. Cloud cover thins out, and cooler air settles in after sunset.
Monthly Temperature Variations
March is the warmest fall month, with average highs near 79°F (26°C) and lows around 63°F (17°C). It can feel humid, especially in the evenings.
April brings a real cooling trend. Highs average about 77°F (25°C), and lows drop closer to 56°F (13°C).
By this point, the air feels drier, and rain happens less often.
May is the coolest month of fall. Daytime highs average 74°F (23°C), and nighttime lows can reach 49°F (9°C).
The climate feels much drier, and those crisp mornings hint at the winter ahead.
If you’re staying through the whole fall, packing layers is a smart move.
Nighttime and Daytime Differences
Daytime in Lusaka during fall stays warm and comfortable, usually between 72–79°F (22–26°C). The sunlight feels strong, but with less humidity than in summer, it’s easier to manage.
At night, the change is more dramatic. Temperatures can fall by 15–20°F (8–11°C) from daytime highs, so mornings feel fresh and crisp.
By late May, you’ll probably want a sweater or light jacket, especially if you’re outside before sunrise.
This contrast between warm days and cooler nights really defines Lusaka’s fall climate. It shapes daily routines, from outdoor adventures during the day to quieter, cooler evenings.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Lusaka’s rainfall follows a pretty clear seasonal cycle. You get big differences in both the amount of rain and how often it falls, depending on the time of year.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall in Lusaka is highly seasonal. Most of it comes between November and April, while May through September is almost completely dry.
In January, the wettest month, you can expect about 240–250 mm of rain.
Rainfall then drops through February and March, with totals closer to 150–200 mm.
By April, rainfall falls to around 30–50 mm, signaling the end of the wet season.
From May to September, rainfall is negligible—often less than 1 mm per month.
By October, the first pre-season showers show up, averaging 20–40 mm, before the rains really pick up in November.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Jan | ~247 mm |
| Feb | ~180 mm |
| Mar | ~150 mm |
| Apr | ~40 mm |
| May–Sep | ~0–1 mm |
| Oct | ~30 mm |
| Nov | ~120 mm |
| Dec | ~200 mm |
Probability of Wet Days
The chance of rain follows a clear seasonal rhythm. In January and February, you’ll get rain on about 15–20 days per month, usually as afternoon thunderstorms.
By March, rainy days drop to about 10–12 days. April averages only 3–5 days with measurable precipitation.
From May through September, the odds of a wet day are basically zero.
In October, the chance of a wet day rises a bit, often 2–3 days during the month.
By November, this jumps to 10–12 days, as the rainy season kicks in again.
That means you can count on long stretches of dry weather in the middle of the year, with little risk of rain interrupting your outdoor plans.
Transition from Wet to Dry Season
The shift from wet to dry season in Lusaka happens fast. By late April, rainfall drops quickly, and May usually starts off with clear skies and dry air.
Humidity levels fall as the rains end, making nights feel cooler. Daytime temperatures stay warm, but with fewer clouds, you get more sunshine and less moisture in the air.
By June, July, and August, the dry season is in full swing. Plants start to dry out, and the landscape looks more arid.
When the rains return in October, the change is sudden. Early storms can be brief but heavy, kicking off the next wet cycle.
This sharp transition shapes both travel plans and local farming across Zambia.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
During fall in Lusaka, skies shift from mostly cloudy at the start of the season to much clearer conditions by the end. At the same time, sunshine hours go up, so you get brighter days as the rainy season fades out.
Changes in Cloudiness
You’ll notice cloud cover drop fast as the season moves on. At the start of fall, about two-thirds of the sky is usually overcast or mostly cloudy.
By late May, cloudiness falls to around 10%, leaving skies much clearer.
The transition is quick. March still brings some leftover rainy-season clouds, but by April, you get longer stretches of clear or partly cloudy skies.
The clearest day usually comes at the end of May, when skies stay clear or mostly clear about 9 out of 10 days.
This drop in cloud cover really helps with planning outdoor activities. Early in the season, you might still run into damp mornings or low visibility.
By late fall, though, the dry air and open skies make things more predictable and pleasant.
Average Sunshine Duration
As clouds thin out, sunshine hours go up. Early in fall, daily sunshine averages 6 to 7 hours.
By the end of the season, you’re looking at 9 to 10 hours of sun each day.
The difference stands out most in May, when clear skies mean long, bright afternoons. Late fall is honestly one of the sunniest times of year in Lusaka.
For reference, the sunniest months overall come in late winter and early spring, but fall already gives you strong daylight for sightseeing or farming.
That steady rise in sunshine hours also helps dry out soils after the rainy season, which is important for local agriculture.
Daylight and Sun Position
Lusaka sits near 15° south latitude, so daylight hours stay pretty even year-round. In fall, you’ll notice gradual changes in both day length and the sun’s position in the sky.
That affects how much sunshine you get each day.
Length of Daylight Hours
During fall, daylight in Lusaka shifts from just over 12 hours in March to about 11 hours 15 minutes in June. The change is steady, so you won’t really see any sudden jumps.
In March, you get around 12h 12m of daylight. By April, this drops to about 11h 46m.
In May, it shortens further to about 11h 24m. June has the shortest days at around 11h 13m.
The sun angle lowers as the season goes on. Around March, the midday sun sits about 74° above the horizon, but by June it drops closer to 51°.
This lower angle softens the sunlight, even on clear days.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, these shifts matter. Shorter days and lower sun angles mean less time in strong sunlight, but also cooler afternoons compared to the hotter months.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In Lusaka, sunrise and sunset times shift gradually through fall. In March, you’ll usually see the sun come up near 6:00 a.m. and go down just after 6:10 p.m.. By June, sunrise happens closer to 6:30 a.m., and sunset lands around 5:45 p.m.
Here’s a quick look at how the times change:
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~6:00 a.m. | ~6:10 p.m. |
| April | ~6:10 a.m. | ~5:55 p.m. |
| May | ~6:20 a.m. | ~5:45 p.m. |
| June | ~6:30 a.m. | ~5:45 p.m. |
Honestly, this steady pattern makes planning a bit easier. You won’t see wild swings in daylight like you might in northern places.
After sunset, you get about 20–30 minutes of twilight, so there’s a little extra evening light.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
When fall arrives in Lusaka, the air loses some of its sticky feel from summer. Winds start to pick up a bit as the dry season settles in.
These changes shape how comfortable it feels outside. They can even affect your travel plans or daily routines.
Relative Humidity Levels
Humidity in Lusaka drops off during April, May, and June. In April, you might notice leftover dampness from the rains, and average humidity sits around 60–65%.
By May, that number falls to about 50–55%. When June rolls around, humidity often reaches 45–50%.
The air feels drier and less muggy, especially compared to January, when things get pretty humid at around 83%. Lower moisture levels in fall mean clearer skies and barely any rain.
You’ll probably notice cooler mornings in June. Temperatures dip, but the air stays crisp and dry, not clammy. That’s just typical for Lusaka’s fall weather.
Typical Wind Speeds
Winds in Lusaka during fall usually stay light to moderate, but you’ll notice them more as the dry season deepens. In April, winds average about 8–10 km/h, mostly blowing in from the east or southeast.
By May and June, they pick up a bit, averaging 10–12 km/h. These breezes clear the skies, so you get more sun and better views. They also help dry out any lingering humidity, pushing the city deeper into the dry season.
Mornings tend to start off calm. By afternoon, you might feel stronger gusts. This is just how Lusaka’s weather rolls, and it can make a difference if you’re out walking or on an open-air tour.
Travel Tips for Visiting Lusaka in Fall
Fall in Lusaka means cooler nights, less rain, and clearer skies. It’s honestly a comfortable season for travel.
You’ll get mild daytime temperatures, lower humidity, and fewer clouds—ideal for sightseeing or any outdoor plans.
Best Months to Visit
Lusaka’s fall stretches from March through May. March brings a bit of rain, but by April and May, the skies open up and rain becomes rare.
Daytime highs hover between 24°C and 26°C (75°F–79°F). Nights cool down to about 10°C–17°C (50°F–63°F).
May in particular feels great, with dry air and plenty of sunshine.
If you’re after fewer crowds and steady weather, April and May really shine. Those months combine comfy temperatures with very low rainfall, so they’re great for exploring the city or taking quick trips nearby.
What to Pack for Fall Weather
Bring clothes for both warm afternoons and cool evenings. A light jacket or sweater comes in handy at night, especially in May when it can dip close to 10°C (50°F).
Wear breathable clothing during the day—think cotton shirts and light trousers. You’ll want a hat and sunglasses too, since the sun stays strong even when it’s not super hot.
Rain isn’t common as fall goes on, but if you visit in March, tuck a compact umbrella or rain jacket into your bag.
Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes. Many spots in Lusaka are outdoors or have uneven ground, so you’ll want something sturdy.
Outdoor Activities and Events
Once the weather dries up and the skies clear, fall feels like the perfect time to wander through Lusaka’s markets, gardens, and cultural spots. You might want to check out the Kabwata Cultural Village or the Lusaka National Museum if you’re curious about local heritage.
If you love nature, you can head out for a quick trip to Munda Wanga Environmental Park or visit one of the nearby game reserves. As the rains let up, animals start gathering around water sources, so wildlife viewing gets a bit easier.
People in the community often organize festivals and smaller local events during this season, though you’ll notice the schedules can be unpredictable. Even if you don’t catch a big festival, open-air dining, weekend markets, and guided city tours are still up for grabs, all without the hassle of heavy rain or sweltering heat.