When you think about summer in Lubumbashi, you’ll probably picture warm days, steady cloud cover, and frequent rain showers. Average daytime highs usually hover between 26°C and 28°C, while nights cool down to about 18°C. It’s comfortable, but the humidity can sneak up on you.
The skies often stay overcast, and the rainfall just keeps building, shaping the city’s mood and the pace of daily life.
Summer here isn’t about blazing heat. Instead, you’ll find a balance—moderate warmth, high humidity, and steady rain.
Long daylight hours give you time to explore, though heavy clouds tend to mute the sunlight. Winds shift direction and speed just enough to keep things interesting, and you’ll notice how that changes the feel from week to week.
If you pay attention to these patterns, you can plan your days better. Whether you want to check out local markets or just know what to expect before heading out, it’s good to look at temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and daylight together.
Lubumbashi’s Geographic and Climatic Context
Lubumbashi’s location really shapes its weather. The city’s elevation, closeness to the equator, and its spot in the regional climate zones all work together to create wet summers and dry winters.
Location and Elevation
You’ll find Lubumbashi in southeastern DR Congo, right near the border with Zambia. It’s the country’s second-largest city and a big deal for mining, trade, and transport.
The city sits at about 1,245–1,276 meters (4,084–4,186 feet) above sea level. That altitude takes the edge off the heat you might expect this close to the equator.
Because of the higher elevation, days stay warm but not scorching, and nights can actually feel cool, especially in the dry season. You’ll notice the difference between those hot afternoons in late September and the chilly nights in June or July.
This mix of latitude and altitude gives Lubumbashi a climate that’s pretty different from the lowland Congo Basin, where it’s hotter and more humid all year.
Climate Classification
Lubumbashi falls into the tropical savanna climate (Aw) category in the Köppen-Geiger system. Some sources even call it humid subtropical with dry winters (Cwa). Either way, the pattern stays the same: heavy rain in summer, almost none in winter.
Rainfall averages about 1,100–1,300 mm (43–51 inches) per year, and most of that comes between November and March. January usually gets the most rain, while June and July are almost bone dry.
Temperatures don’t really swing much—average yearly temps land around 21–22 °C (70–72 °F). The hottest stretch is in September and October, with highs above 30 °C (86 °F). June and July are the coolest, with lows near 12 °C (54 °F).
Humidity definitely changes with the seasons. It often sits above 80% during rainy months but can drop below 40% in the middle of the dry season. This rhythm shapes everything from daily routines to farming and travel.
Typical Summer Temperatures
In Lubumbashi, summer means warm days and mild nights. Temperatures don’t jump around much, so the season feels pretty steady.
You’ll find the weather comfortable for being outside, though the rain and clouds are always a factor.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
During summer, daily high temperatures usually fall between 26°C and 28°C (79°F–83°F). It’s rare for the thermometer to hit 32°C (90°F), so you probably won’t suffer through brutal heat. The afternoons feel warmer thanks to the humidity from all that rain.
Daily lows hover around 18°C (64°F). Nights stay mild and don’t often dip below 16°C (61°F). You really won’t need heavy clothes.
If you’re curious, the hottest time in Lubumbashi comes in early October, when highs reach 34°C (93°F). On the other hand, July is the coolest, and nights can drop to 9°C (48°F). Summer lands right in the middle, keeping things pretty balanced.
That altitude—about 1,260 meters (4,134 feet)—helps keep the heat in check. Both highs and lows stay moderate because of it.
Temperature Variations by Month
From December to February, the average high drops a bit. Early December can hit 28°C (82°F), but by late February, you’re looking at about 26°C (79°F). The change is gradual, not sudden.
Nighttime lows don’t really budge, sticking close to 18°C (64°F) all season. You probably won’t notice much difference month to month.
Rainfall does affect how warm it feels, though. In December, you might get more sun between storms, making afternoons seem hotter. By January, thicker clouds usually keep things cooler, even if the numbers don’t drop much.
Late February brings shorter days and earlier sunsets. The air stays warm, but you can feel that slow shift toward the end of the wet season.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Lubumbashi’s weather runs on a clear wet and dry cycle. Rain pours down in the warmer months, and the middle of the year is almost totally dry.
These patterns really shape how people plan their days and even their year.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rain doesn’t spread out evenly through the year. The wettest months are December through March, and totals can shoot past 200 mm per month. January usually tops the charts with about 270 mm.
The dry season, from May to September, barely sees a drop. July is the driest, with less than 1 mm recorded. The difference is pretty dramatic.
Here’s how the monthly rainfall usually looks:
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | ~271 mm |
| February | ~236 mm |
| March | ~200 mm |
| April | ~60 mm |
| May | ~10 mm |
| June | ~1 mm |
| July | ~0 mm |
| August | ~2 mm |
| September | ~5 mm |
| October | ~120 mm |
| November | ~180 mm |
| December | ~230 mm |
You’ll see wetter months toward the end of the year, while the middle months stay dry and sunny.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rain doesn’t show up every day, even in the wet months. During the peak, you can expect 20–25 rainy days per month, especially in January and February. That means rain is likely most days, but it usually comes in bursts rather than dragging on for hours.
In the dry season, rain almost disappears. From June to August, you might see 0–1 rainy days per month. The skies clear up, and things feel steady.
On average, Lubumbashi gets 120–160 days of measurable rain each year. Most of those fall between November and April, when storms and heavy showers take over.
These patterns really shape travel, farming, and outdoor plans. If you’re smart about timing, you can make the most of both seasons.
Humidity and Dew Point Trends
During summer in Lubumbashi, humidity and dew point can swing quite a bit, changing how the air feels on your skin. The way these two factors interact really impacts your daily comfort, especially when temperatures climb to their seasonal highs.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity in Lubumbashi doesn’t stay the same all year. Summer actually brings some of the lowest readings. In September, relative humidity can drop to about 40–45%, making it the driest time. In January, it jumps up to 80–85%, which is a lot more humid.
During summer, daily humidity usually lands between 45% and 60%. That’s low enough that the heat doesn’t feel as stifling as in the wetter months. Nights are cooler and less sticky since the air holds less moisture.
If you’re visiting, this lower humidity means clearer skies and fewer heavy, gray days. It’s also less likely you’ll get that uncomfortable, sweaty feeling that sticks around in more humid months. Locals often use this time for outdoor fun and travel.
Dew Point Fluctuations
The dew point gives you a better sense of how the air actually feels. In Lubumbashi’s summer, dew points usually sit between 12°C and 16°C (54°F to 61°F). That’s warm, but not muggy.
If dew points climb above 18°C (64°F), things start to feel sticky. Luckily, that’s rare in summer here. Most days stay below that, which helps explain why the season feels comfortable even when it’s hot.
Morning dew doesn’t show up much during this time, since the air’s drier. Surfaces stay dry, and you don’t get that heavy, damp feeling that comes with wetter months. For visitors, mornings and evenings outdoors are just easier.
Sunlight and Daylight Hours
Lubumbashi sits just south of the equator, so daylight doesn’t change much through the year. Sunrise and sunset times stay pretty consistent, and the rhythm of sunshine shifts between the wet and dry seasons.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Daylight in Lubumbashi doesn’t swing wildly like it does farther from the equator. The shortest day is in late June with about 11 hours and 18 minutes of daylight. The longest day is in late December with around 12 hours and 41 minutes.
You won’t get super long summer evenings or really short winter days. The sun rises and sets at nearly the same time all year.
Usually, sunrise happens between 5:30 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., and sunset falls between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.. This makes it a lot easier to plan your day, whether you’re working outside or just getting used to the local routine.
Hours of Sunshine
While daylight hours don’t change much, the amount of direct sunshine does. During the dry season (May to September), skies clear up and you get long, sunny stretches. For example, August averages about 10.6 hours of sunshine per day, making it the sunniest month.
The wet season (November to March) brings more clouds. February is the cloudiest, with only 4 hours of sunshine per day.
Each year, Lubumbashi soaks up about 2,700–2,800 hours of sunshine. That’s about the same as Lisbon, Portugal—way sunnier than most northern European cities. This reliable daylight and good sunshine make outdoor activities really doable most of the year.
Wind Speed and Weather Variability
In Lubumbashi, wind patterns and seasonal changes shape the weather you feel every day. You’ll notice shifts in both wind speed and direction throughout the year, and the difference between dry and wet months can be pretty clear.
Typical Wind Speeds
Wind speeds in Lubumbashi shift a bit depending on the season. During the windier months, which run from early May to early November, you’ll often notice average speeds above 6.9 miles per hour.
September usually stands out as the windiest, with hourly speeds hitting around 8.9 miles per hour.
When November rolls in, things calm down again. From November through early May, wind speeds usually dip below 7 miles per hour, so breezes feel much gentler.
Most travelers find these winds mild, especially if they’ve spent time in coastal or desert places. The steady air can bring some relief on hot days, but honestly, you rarely have to worry about wind messing up your plans outside.
| Month | Avg. Wind Speed (mph) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| June | ~7.2 | Moderate |
| September | ~8.9 | Windiest |
| January | ~6.0 | Calmer |
So, the late dry season definitely feels breezier. The wet season, on the other hand, is more still and humid—sometimes almost heavy.
Seasonal Weather Changes
Seasonal changes in Lubumbashi aren’t just about rain. You’ll notice shifts in temperature, wind, and sky conditions too.
The dry season (May–October) feels clearer and less humid, and you might catch a few more breezes. July usually has the brightest skies, and honestly, sunshine seems to win out most days.
The wet season (November–April) is a different story. It’s cloudier and much more humid, with rain showing up pretty often. January? That month really stands out, with overcast skies nearly 87% of the time.
Rain pours down the hardest in December, averaging about 8.8 inches. Humidity spikes sharply during the wet months, and muggy air is almost a given between November and March.
Winds usually calm down, which just makes everything feel heavier. So, you’ll probably notice cooler breezes and clearer skies during the dry months. When the rainy season rolls in, expect slower winds, sticky air, and storms that seem to take over the weather.