When you imagine summer in Pemba, Mozambique, you’ll probably think of warm days, humid air, and a blend of sunshine and tropical rain. Daytime temperatures usually hang out in the upper 20s Celsius, and nights stay comfortably mild.
The season brings plenty of relaxing beach weather, but you’ll also get bursts of heavy showers that give the region its tropical feel.
Between December and March, you’ll hit the wettest stretch of the year. Rain falls often, although it’s usually in short, intense periods.
These showers keep everything green and very humid, but the Indian Ocean stays warm enough for swimming. Sunshine still breaks through, so you’ll have plenty of bright days mixed in.
Wind and humidity shape how the weather feels. Breezes off the coast cool things down on hot afternoons, and the sea’s steady warmth means you can enjoy outdoor life all year.
If you know what to expect in Pemba’s summer, you can plan for comfort and adventure.
Overview of Summer Weather in Pemba
Pemba, Mozambique has a tropical climate with warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rainfall during summer. You’ll notice steady heat day and night, plus an increase in cloud cover and wet conditions as summer goes on.
Climate in Pemba During Summer
Pemba sits on Mozambique’s northeastern coast and has a tropical savanna climate. In summer, daily highs average around 86°F (30°C), and lows hover near 79°F (26°C).
The heat sticks around, with hardly any difference between day and night.
Humidity is high, often close to 100%, so the air feels heavy and muggy. Even cooler evenings still feel warm.
The Indian Ocean keeps the air moist, and water temperatures stay steady at about 83°F (28°C).
Rainfall jumps up in summer. You’ll probably see several inches of rain in a month, especially from December through February.
These showers come in bursts, with heavy rain and then calmer spells.
Defining the Summer Season in Mozambique
Mozambique’s summer lines up with the Southern Hemisphere’s wet season, running from December through February. This is when rainfall peaks, and January is usually the wettest month.
Daylight hours gradually shorten as the season moves along. Early December brings nearly 13 hours of daylight, but by late February, it drops to about 12 hours, 20 minutes.
Sunrise happens between 4:45 AM and 5:20 AM, and sunset falls between 5:30 PM and 5:50 PM.
Pemba doesn’t observe daylight saving time. Warm temperatures stay steady, so you get summer conditions without big swings in heat, though rainfall and cloudiness can change fast.
General Weather Patterns
Monsoonal winds and the Indian Ocean shape summer weather in Pemba. At the start of the season, winds come from the east, but later on, they shift north and bring in moist air that fuels rain.
Average wind speeds drop a bit, from about 10 mph in early summer to 8 mph by late February.
Cloud cover ramps up quickly. In December, skies might be partly clear half the time, but by late January, overcast conditions take over more than 80% of days.
Sunshine gets less reliable as summer goes on.
Rainfall peaks in late January, with average 31-day totals reaching around 8 inches (200 mm). These rains keep the landscape lush but also make things humid and sticky.
If you visit then, expect lots of showers, cloudy skies, and warm, damp air.
Average Temperatures in Summer
Summer in Pemba brings steady warmth with only small changes month to month. Daytime highs sit in the low 80s °F, and nighttime lows are usually in the low 70s °F. July is the coolest month.
Average Daytime Temperature
During June, July, and August, average daytime temperatures in Pemba stay between 81°F and 83°F (27°C–28°C). July is the mildest, with highs around 81°F (27°C), while August ticks up to about 82°F (28°C).
These temperatures don’t swing much. You won’t see extreme heat like in some coastal places.
The warm but not-too-hot weather makes outdoor activities comfortable, especially at the beach.
The sea moderates the climate, so you don’t get sharp heat spikes. Even on the hottest days, it rarely goes above 83°F (28°C).
That kind of stability is a big part of Pemba’s summer weather.
Nighttime Temperature Range
At night, things cool off but stay mild. Lows range between 71°F and 73°F (22°C–23°C) for most of the summer.
July usually has the coolest nights, averaging about 71°F (22°C).
Humidity can make evenings feel warmer than the thermometer says. The coast keeps nights from dropping too much.
You won’t need heavy clothes, but a light layer helps if you’re out after dark.
The small difference between day and night temperatures gives the climate a steady, comfortable vibe.
Monthly Temperature Fluctuations
From June to August, temperature changes barely register. June has highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows near 72°F (22°C).
July is the coolest month, with highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 71°F (22°C).
In August, daytime averages rise again to about 82°F (28°C), with nighttime lows around 71–72°F (22°C).
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 82°F | 72°F |
| July | 81°F | 71°F |
| August | 82°F | 72°F |
Since the weather barely changes from month to month, it’s pretty easy to plan trips without worrying about surprise cold snaps or heat waves.
Rainfall and Rainy Days
Summer in Pemba means high rainfall totals, lots of wet days, and short sunny breaks in between. The wettest part of the year usually lands in this season, which can shape your travel plans.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Rainfall in Pemba’s summer is heavy compared to other times. January and February often get over 250 mm (about 10 inches) each month. March drops a bit but still stays above 150 mm.
That’s a lot of water in a short time. Intense rain can cause brief flooding in low areas and make unpaved roads muddy.
Here’s a simple breakdown of average summer rainfall:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) | Average Rainfall (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| December | ~200 mm | ~7.9 in |
| January | ~270 mm | ~10.6 in |
| February | ~270 mm | ~10.7 in |
| March | ~175 mm | ~6.9 in |
Clearly, summer is the peak of the rainy season in Pemba.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days matter just as much as the totals. In January, you’ll get over 25 days with measurable rain.
February brings about 22 days, and March has closer to 18 days.
That means most days in the middle of summer include at least a little rain. Showers usually come in bursts—sometimes heavy, but often short—leaving gaps of sunshine.
If you’re planning outdoor activities like beach trips or diving, you’ll want to stay flexible. Even with frequent showers, mornings are usually clearer than afternoons.
Monthly Rainfall Patterns
Summer rainfall in Pemba builds up and then tapers off. December starts things off with steady increases.
January and February hit the peak, with the most rain and the highest number of wet days.
By March, rainfall drops off, but it’s still significant. This signals the slow move toward drier weather in April and May.
Rain usually falls in short, intense bursts rather than lasting all day. The weather can be unpredictable, but if you keep an eye on the daily forecast, you can plan around it.
Humidity and Sunshine Hours
During summer in Pemba, you’ll feel high humidity and notice changes in sunshine. These factors really affect how comfortable the days are and when it’s best to be outside.
Relative Humidity Levels
Humidity stays high all year in Pemba, but summer feels especially damp. The wettest months—January and February—often hit relative humidity levels of around 80–82%.
That makes the air feel heavy, especially when it’s warm.
By July, part of the drier season, humidity drops to about 71%. It’s still humid compared to many coastal places, but you’ll notice the difference.
High humidity makes temperatures feel warmer than they are. When it’s 30°C and humid, it feels hotter.
If you want to avoid the stickiest part of the day, plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon.
If you’re sensitive to humidity, pack lightweight, breathable clothes. And drink plenty of water—high humidity slows down how your body cools itself.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Sunshine changes a lot through the summer. In October, you might get 9–10 hours of sunlight per day, which is about as bright as it gets.
In February, though, you’ll only see about 5–6 hours daily, making it the cloudiest summer month.
This shift links up with rainfall patterns. Heavier rains in January and February mean more clouds, while the drier months let the sun shine longer.
Knowing the average daily sunshine hours helps you plan your days. If you visit in February, expect shorter windows for beach time. In October, you’ll have longer stretches of sun.
Here’s a quick look:
| Month | Sunshine Hours (avg/day) |
|---|---|
| October | 9–10 hours |
| January | 6–7 hours |
| February | 5–6 hours |
Your experience in Pemba will really depend on when you visit, especially if you’re after long, sunny days.
Winds and Seasonal Climate Influences
During the dry months, steady breezes shape Pemba’s daily climate. Wind strength and direction can affect how comfortable it feels, what you can do outside, and even how clear the sky looks.
Average Wind Speed in Summer
Winds get stronger in Pemba during the dry season, which covers much of the Southern Hemisphere winter and stretches into summer months like June, July, and August.
Average wind speeds range between 11–13 miles per hour, with July standing out at about 13.2 mph.
These winds bring cooler air and lower humidity, making things feel less sticky than during the wet season.
For travelers, that means better conditions for beach days, sailing, or diving.
Calmer months like March and April see lower speeds, closer to 8 mph. By mid-year, though, the increase is pretty obvious.
Stronger winds help bring the clear skies that dominate the dry season.
Seasonal Wind Patterns
Winds in Pemba shift along with the monsoon cycle of the Indian Ocean.
From April through November, southeasterly trade winds dominate. These keep rainfall low and create a steady cooling effect along the coast.
Between December and April, the winds weaken and shift, letting in more humid air from the north. This period matches up with the wet season when cloud cover and rain ramp up.
The contrast between these two wind patterns explains a lot about the seasonal climate in Pemba.
Stronger trade winds bring long sunny stretches, while weaker winds let the heavy rains and humidity settle in.
How Pemba’s Summer Weather Compares Regionally
Pemba’s summer? It’s hot, humid, and rain just keeps showing up. The timing and strength of these patterns don’t always match what you’ll see in other coastal or inland spots across Mozambique.
Local geography, sea temperatures, and those ever-changing seasonal winds all play a part in how Pemba’s climate stacks up against nearby cities.
Weather in Pemba Versus Other Cities
If you line up Pemba next to Maputo in the south, the difference in rainfall and temperature jumps out at you. Pemba gets heavier summer rain—March alone brings in close to 200 mm.
Maputo usually ends up with less, so Pemba feels stickier and more tropical right when the wet season peaks.
In Pemba, summer temperatures usually hover around 27–28 °C. Nampula, which sits inland, tends to have hotter afternoons but then cools off more at night since it doesn’t get the ocean’s calming touch.
Beira, another coastal city, also deals with heavy summer rainfall. Storms there sometimes hit harder, probably because of its spot along the central coast.
If you head north toward Tanzania, you’ll run into climates that look a lot like Pemba’s, though they usually get slightly longer dry spells.
Pemba’s spot up on the northern Mozambique coast really gives it a wetter, more humid summer than you’ll find in a lot of other places across the country.
Unique Features of Pemba’s Summer Climate
Pemba’s weather stands out because of how heat, rainfall, and the sea all interact. Even when it rains the most, the Indian Ocean keeps daytime highs from pushing past 31 or 32 °C. So, you don’t really get those brutal heat spikes that happen further inland.
The sea itself stays toasty, usually around 28–29 °C in summer. That warmth boosts humidity, sure, but it also means you can swim comfortably for months. With all that humidity, steady warmth, and the ever-warm ocean, the whole place just feels tropical year-round.
You’ll notice a sharp difference between the wet and dry months. Summer brings a lot of rain, but by September, the rainfall drops off quickly. Suddenly, you get these long, sunny stretches. That shift really shows how Pemba’s spot on the coast shapes its weather, flipping from heavy summer rains to clear, breezy days.