When you picture summer in Ethiopia’s capital, you might expect scorching heat. Addis Ababa, though, tells a different story.
The city sits high in the mountains, nearly 8,000 feet up, so temperatures stay mild even during the warmest months. Average summer highs land in the upper 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit, and nights cool off to the low 50s.
You’ll also notice plenty of rain during this season. Summer marks the peak of the wet period. Skies often look cloudy, and afternoon showers happen regularly, shaping daily routines and outdoor plans.
Despite all that rain, daylight hours don’t really change much. You’ll get a mix of cooler air, cloud cover, and the occasional burst of sunshine.
This blend of comfortable temperatures, frequent rain, and ever-changing skies creates a unique summer climate that stands out from most other African capitals. If you understand these patterns, you can plan your time better—whether you want to wander local markets, visit cultural sites, or just figure out what to pack.
Overview of Addis Ababa’s Summer Climate
Addis Ababa’s summer feels different because of its high elevation and seasonal rains. You’ll notice cooler daytime temperatures than much of Ethiopia, with frequent clouds and steady rainfall that makes this the wettest time of year.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During summer, daily highs usually sit between 67°F and 74°F (19°C to 23°C). Nights stay mild, averaging around 54°F (12°C).
The city’s elevation keeps these temperatures steady, so it rarely gets as hot as you’d expect for a city near the equator.
Rainfall really defines the season. Rain chances rise from about 37% in early June to over 70% by August.
Late July and early August bring the heaviest rains, with monthly totals well above 300 mm (12 inches).
Cloud cover is another big factor. Skies stay mostly cloudy or overcast about two-thirds of the time, which limits direct sunshine but helps the landscape turn lush and green.
Altitude and Geographic Influence
Addis Ababa sits at about 2,355 meters (7,726 feet), so it has a temperate highland tropical climate. This altitude keeps temperatures moderate all year, blocking out the extreme heat found in Ethiopia’s lower regions.
Mountains and valleys nearby create microclimates. Within just a few miles, you might notice different rainfall or wind.
The city itself often feels cooler and fresher than the lowlands that surround it.
Winds shift in the summer. Early on, breezes usually come from the east, but by mid-summer, they swing to the west.
Average wind speeds drop from about 6 mph in June to 4 mph by late August. This change adds to the calm, damp feeling.
Comparison With Other Seasons
Summer is the wettest season in Addis Ababa. The dry season, from November to February, brings clearer skies, less rain, and slightly bigger temperature swings.
Spring and autumn serve as transitions. In spring, rain starts picking up but doesn’t hit summer levels, while autumn sees rainfall fade away.
Temperatures stay pretty stable all year, but only summer mixes cooler days with heavy, frequent rain.
Average Summer Temperatures
Addis Ababa’s summer feels mild compared to many other African cities. Highs and lows shift slowly through the season, and rainfall patterns affect how warm or cool the days seem.
The city’s elevation matters most, keeping things cooler than you’d expect for its spot on the map.
Daytime and Nighttime Highs and Lows
In summer, daytime highs usually land between 67°F and 74°F (19°C–23°C). It’s rare to see temperatures above 79°F (26°C), so even the warmest weeks feel pretty comfortable.
At night, temperatures drop to about 54°F (12°C), and lows rarely fall below 51°F (10°C). This cool air comes straight from the city’s high altitude.
With these stable ranges, days feel mild and evenings turn crisp. Light layers come in handy, especially if you’re out after sunset.
Unlike many tropical places, Addis Ababa skips the extreme heat and muggy air during summer.
Monthly Temperature Variations
From June to August, highs cool off a bit. June averages highs near 74°F (23°C), but by late August, they hover closer to 67°F (19°C).
This cooling trend links to the seasonal rains and thicker cloud cover.
Lows don’t really budge, staying around 54°F (12°C) all summer. So, while afternoons cool gradually, nights feel about the same month to month.
Packing gets easier thanks to these mild shifts. Bring a light jacket or sweater for evenings, and stick to short sleeves or light long sleeves during the day.
Rain showers show up often, so waterproof clothing is a smart move.
Historical Temperature Trends
Addis Ababa’s climate has stayed remarkably stable over the years. Historical records show the hottest day of the year usually falls in mid-May, with highs near 75°F (24°C).
The coldest stretch comes in December, with highs around 71°F (22°C).
Summer sits comfortably between these extremes, offering moderate weather. Long-term averages barely change for summer highs and lows, showing the steady effect of the Ethiopian Highlands.
Because of this, you can count on summer temperatures to stay consistent year after year. That reliability makes planning a trip or event a little less stressful.
Precipitation Patterns During Summer
Summer in Addis Ababa means cooler days but also the heaviest rainfall of the year. You’ll deal with frequent showers, cloudy skies, and high humidity, all of which shape daily life and travel.
Rainfall Amounts by Month
Rainfall peaks in July and August. August, in particular, averages about 398 mm of rain.
July is also very wet, usually topping 250 mm.
June acts as a ramp-up to the full rainy season, with totals between 120–150 mm. By September, rain drops off but still stays significant, often over 100 mm.
The pattern is clear: June (moderate), July (heavy), August (heaviest), September (declining but wet). August is the most waterlogged month, while June and September bookend the peak rains.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| June | ~120–150 |
| July | ~250+ |
| August | ~398 |
| September | ~100+ |
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days jump up in summer, matching those high precipitation totals. August brings rain on about 13 days, though showers often last just a few hours instead of all day.
July usually has 10–12 rainy days, while June and September average a bit fewer, closer to 7–9 days each.
Even with all this rain, you’ll still spot breaks of sunshine, especially in the mornings before afternoon storms roll in.
If you’re planning activities, this pattern matters. Outdoor events, travel, and even daily commutes often need to work around sudden downpours.
You should expect shorter dry spells mixed with heavy rain bursts instead of endless drizzle.
Humidity Levels in Summer
Humidity climbs fast as the summer rains arrive. The air often feels damp, especially in July and August, when thick clouds and high evaporation rates take over.
Relative humidity usually stays above 70%, making the weather feel cooler but heavier.
Morning humidity runs higher, and afternoons bring a mix of rain and mist that keeps the air moist. Nights remain humid as well, though cooler temperatures help a bit.
For travelers, packing light but water-resistant clothes is a good call. Locals tend to plan around the more predictable afternoon storms.
The combo of high humidity, frequent rain, and cooler temperatures really defines Addis Ababa’s summer.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Addis Ababa’s summer means fewer hours of sunshine than the rest of the year, plus lots of cloud cover. Daylight hours stay steady, thanks to the city’s spot near the equator, but the amount of bright sun can swing a lot.
Average Daily Sunshine
You can expect limited sunshine during summer. In July, the city averages just 2 hours and 48 minutes of sun per day.
August bumps up slightly to about 3 hours and 5 minutes. That’s the lowest stretch of the year for direct sunlight.
By September, things get brighter, with sunshine averaging 5 hours and 24 minutes daily. This makes late summer a bit better for outdoor plans than July and August.
For reference, Addis Ababa averages 6 hours and 40 minutes of sunshine per day annually, so summer months fall way below the yearly average.
Seasonal rains and heavy clouds block most of the direct sunlight.
Daylight Duration Changes
Daylight length barely changes throughout the year in Addis Ababa, since it’s so close to the equator. In summer, you still get about 12 hours of daylight daily, with only tiny shifts month to month.
For instance, June has about 12 hours and 37 minutes of daylight, August has 12 hours and 24 minutes, and September shortens to about 12 hours and 9 minutes.
The difference between the longest and shortest days is only about an hour.
You can plan your days pretty confidently, knowing sunrise and sunset times don’t swing wildly like they do farther north or south.
The main thing that changes isn’t the daylight itself, but how much of it is actually sunny.
Cloud Cover Trends
Cloud cover is the main reason for less sunshine in Addis Ababa’s summer. In July, only 23% of daylight hours are sunny, leaving 77% cloudy.
August looks similar, with 25% sunny hours and 75% cloudy.
By September, skies start to clear. About 45% of daylight hours are sunny, almost twice as much as in July.
This shift marks the end of the rainy season’s peak.
These patterns match the city’s wet season—heavy rain and overcast skies rule the day. If you visit now, expect short bursts of sun but more comfortable temperatures under the clouds.
Impact of Summer Weather on Daily Life
Summer in Addis Ababa brings mild temperatures, heavy rainfall, and lots of cloud cover. These conditions shape how you plan outdoor activities, get around the city, and handle agricultural work nearby.
Outdoor Activities and Events
You’ll get cooler daytime highs in summer, usually between 67°F and 74°F. That makes outdoor temps comfortable.
Still, skies stay overcast, and rainfall jumps from June through August. So, while walking or sightseeing feels pleasant, you’ll often need rain gear.
Public events and festivals sometimes get interrupted by wet conditions. Big gatherings usually move to covered spots or adjust schedules to dodge the worst afternoon showers.
If you want to explore local markets or historic sites, mornings are usually easier before the rains hit harder later in the day.
You might run into muddy roads and low visibility, especially in less developed parts of the city.
Travel Considerations
Traveling in and around Addis Ababa during summer takes a little extra planning. Roads can get slippery and crowded because of the rain, slowing traffic.
Flooding in low-lying spots sometimes causes delays, especially on routes out of town.
Flights generally run on schedule, but thick clouds can cut visibility during takeoff and landing.
If you’re driving, it’s smart to allow extra time and avoid evening trips when roads are darker and wetter.
Public transportation keeps running, but buses and taxis might take longer thanks to traffic buildup.
Carrying a small umbrella and waterproof shoes helps you deal with sudden downpours while moving through the city.
Agricultural Implications
The summer rains play a huge role in farming around the highlands near Addis Ababa. Crops like teff, barley, and maize really need this moisture.
Farmers watch the rainfall climb from June through August, using it to prep their fields, plant seeds, and kickstart early growth.
Rainfall usually jumps from about 2.7 inches in June to over 6 inches by August. That helps with water supply, though sometimes too much rain causes soil erosion on those steep hills.
If you’re visiting, you’ll probably notice city markets overflowing with fresh produce during and after the rainy months. Seasonal veggies and grains become cheaper and easier to find, which just shows how tightly weather and agriculture are linked in Ethiopia’s capital.
Long-Term Climate Trends and Variability
Addis Ababa’s climate has shifted in temperature and rainfall over the last few decades. These changes affect how hot the summers feel and how long the rainy season sticks around.
Recent Changes in Summer Weather
You’ll find that summers in Addis Ababa feel cooler compared to a lot of other African cities, thanks to the altitude. Still, long-term records show that summer highs have gone up by almost 2–3 °C over the past few decades.
Minimum temperatures have crept up too, but not as quickly.
The summer season, or Kiremt, is still the wettest stretch of the year. But the rains don’t always show up on schedule anymore, and sometimes they hit harder than expected.
Some years, heavy downpours cause flooding, while other years, the rainy season is shorter than usual.
Sunshine hours tend to average about 8 to 10 hours per day. Cloud cover during peak rainfall can cut down visibility, though.
All these gradual changes mean you might notice warmer afternoons and nights that aren’t quite as chilly as they used to be.
Future Projections for Addis Ababa
If we look ahead, climate models point to continued warming in Addis Ababa. Average maximum summer temperatures will probably keep rising, so hot days might become more common, even if nights still feel cool.
Nobody seems totally sure about rainfall patterns. Some models predict heavier bursts of rain during Kiremt, but others expect a shorter rainy season and more drawn-out dry spells. This kind of unpredictability could mess with water supply, agriculture, or even just getting around the city.
So, if you’re visiting, you’ll want to get ready for more temperature extremes and interruptions during the rainy months. If you live there, adapting to changing rainfall and handling heat stress in the city will probably stay front and center.
Honestly, it’s smart to plan for both warmth and rain when you think about future summers in Addis Ababa.