Spend a summer in Toamasina, Madagascar, and you’ll quickly notice the season is all about heat, humidity, and steady rainfall. Average summer temperatures feel warm, usually sitting in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (about 25–28°C).
The air gets heavy, and the skies flip between bright sun and sudden downpours.
You’ll see right away that the tropical monsoon climate rules daily life here. Rain falls often, but it doesn’t really cool things down. Instead, all that moisture just turns up the intensity, so shade and a coastal breeze become your best friends.
This mix of heat, rain, and humidity really defines Toamasina’s summer. It shapes how much daylight you get, how warm the sea feels, and even how the wind moves along the coast.
If you get a handle on these patterns, you’ll plan your days better—whether you’re exploring the city or just hanging out by the water.
Overview of Toamasina’s Summer Climate
Toamasina’s summers bring steady warmth, high humidity, and lots of rain. Temperatures barely budge, and the city’s spot on Madagascar’s east coast has a big impact on its weather.
Geographical Setting and Climate Classification
Toamasina sits right on Madagascar’s east coast, facing the Indian Ocean. Its low elevation—about 11 meters above sea level—means moist ocean winds hit it head-on.
These winds bring tons of water vapor inland, fueling rain year-round.
The city falls under the tropical rainforest climate (Af) in the Köppen system. That means there’s no real dry season, though some months are wetter than others. Even during the driest stretch, you’ll still see a good amount of rain.
Because of this setup, you’ll find heavy clouds, high humidity, and warm sea temperatures. The ocean keeps air temperatures steady, so you won’t feel big drops even during cooler months.
That consistency is honestly one of Toamasina’s signature climate features.
Typical Summer Weather Patterns
Summer in Toamasina runs from December through February. During these months, daily highs usually land between 29°C to 30°C (84–86°F), while lows hover near 22°C (72°F).
Nights stay warm and humid, so don’t expect much relief after sunset.
Rainfall ramps up in summer. December often gets over 350 mm of rain, January pushes past 400 mm, and March nearly tops out at 480 mm. Showers pop up a lot and can get heavy, but most come in bursts instead of dragging on all day.
Humidity usually sits above 80%, making the air feel even heavier than the thermometer suggests. Sunshine is limited, with about 6–7 hours per day depending on the month.
The sea stays warm at 28–29°C (82–84°F), so you can still swim or enjoy water activities, even if it’s raining.
Comparing Toamasina to Other Regions in Madagascar
If you compare Toamasina to western Madagascar, you’ll spot big differences. The west coast has a tropical savanna climate with a clear dry season, but Toamasina stays wet all year.
Rainfall here can be two or even three times higher than in Antananarivo or Mahajanga.
Temperatures don’t swing as much in Toamasina either. Highland areas like Antananarivo get cooler at night in winter, but Toamasina’s coastal location keeps nights pretty mild.
This makes the city’s climate more even throughout the year.
Travelers should expect more rain here, but fewer wild temperature changes. If you like warm seas and steady heat, Toamasina delivers. If you want drier weather, other parts of Madagascar—especially between May and October—might work better.
Average Summer Temperatures
Summer in Toamasina means warm, steady weather. Daytime temperatures usually sit in the mid-80s °F, and nights stay mild in the low to mid-70s °F.
The warmth barely changes from month to month.
Daytime Highs and Nighttime Lows
In summer, average daytime highs in Toamasina reach about 85°F (29°C). The hottest afternoons rarely go above 89°F, so while it’s hot, it’s not unbearable.
On the warmest days in February, highs touch around 86°F.
At night, things cool down a bit but stay humid. Average lows hang near 73°F (23°C), with almost no variation. Even on the coolest nights, you probably won’t see it drop below 69°F.
You won’t get sharp temperature drops after sunset, so evenings stay warm and muggy.
The small gap between day and night temperatures creates a steady climate. Expect warm mornings that quickly turn into hot afternoons, then humid evenings that feel comfortable but sticky.
Monthly Temperature Variations
Summer in Toamasina stretches from December through February. Temperatures during these months barely shift.
- December: Highs around 85°F, lows near 73°F
- January: Highs close to 85°F, lows about 74°F
- February: Highs up to 86°F, lows near 75°F
Monthly differences are tiny, usually just 1–2°F. Unlike many places, Toamasina doesn’t get sudden spikes or drops during summer.
Instead, you get a consistent tropical warmth that just rolls from one month to the next.
This steadiness makes planning a trip a bit easier, since you know what to expect no matter when you visit in summer.
Historical Temperature Trends
Long-term weather records show that Toamasina’s summer temperatures have stayed pretty stable over the years. The city’s tropical rainforest climate keeps things in a narrow range, with yearly averages near 76°F (24°C).
The hottest day of the year usually shows up in early February, when highs hit about 86°F and lows about 75°F.
The coldest stretch comes in August—outside of summer—when nights can drop to 64°F.
Since Toamasina sits near sea level and right on the coast, the ocean helps prevent extreme highs or lows. Unlike inland spots, you won’t see big swings between seasons.
This steady climate supports green plants year-round and keeps summer predictably warm and humid.
Rainfall and Humidity During Summer
Summer in Toamasina means lots of rain and steady high humidity. You’ll get wet days, with heavy showers and muggy air that just hangs around.
Precipitation Amounts and Rainy Days
Rainfall during summer climbs fast as the season goes on. At the start of December, the average 31‑day rainfall is about 97 mm, but by February it almost triples to 277 mm.
The wettest stretch usually hits in mid‑February, when totals can top 280 mm in a month.
You’ll also want to be ready for lots of rainy days. The odds of measurable rain jump from around 39% in early December to more than 70% by late February.
That means most days in February bring at least some rain, often as quick, intense tropical downpours.
Toamasina doesn’t get a true dry season. Even in September, the least rainy month, the city still averages about 121 mm of rain over 15 days.
But summer is definitely the wettest time of year, with rainfall totals way above the annual average.
Humidity Levels and Seasonal Changes
Humidity stays sky-high all summer. Dew points sit in the upper 20s °C, so the air feels muggy just about every day.
You won’t get much relief at night, since all that moisture keeps things from cooling off.
The chance of muggy conditions is nearly 100% during summer. Toamasina ranks as one of the most humid cities year‑round, not just in summer.
For comparison, August feels the least humid, but even then, almost half the days are still muggy.
With humidity so steady, you should expect sticky air whether it’s raining or not.
Put all that together with frequent showers, and you get a climate that feels damp and heavy—pretty much what you’d expect from a tropical rainforest zone.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Toamasina’s tropical climate means sunshine and daylight shift with the seasons.
You’ll see shorter daylight and less sun in winter, and longer days with brighter skies as summer rolls in.
Average Daily Sunshine
During summer months from December to February, you usually get between 6 and 8 hours of sunshine per day.
This is when you’ll see the highest temperatures, but the strong sun is often balanced by frequent rain showers.
In January, sunshine averages closer to 6 hours daily, while November and December trend higher at about 7–8 hours. July, in the middle of the cooler season, averages only about 5.3 hours.
Even with plenty of daylight, cloud cover and humidity cut down on direct sunshine. Rain peaks in January and February, so even when days are long, the sky often stays overcast.
You’ll want to plan for both bright spells and sudden showers if you’re heading outside.
| Month | Avg. Sunshine Hours/Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November | ~7.9 | Peak brightness |
| December | ~7.5 | Long days, humid |
| January | ~6.0 | Frequent rain |
| July | ~5.3 | Shortest sunshine |
Seasonal Changes in Daylight
Daylight in Toamasina shifts slowly through the year. In summer, you get up to 13.2 hours of daylight in December, while winter months like June and July drop to about 11 hours.
That change of just over two hours might not seem huge, but it does affect how long your evenings feel.
Longer summer days give you more time outside, while shorter winter days mean earlier sunsets.
Toamasina doesn’t have wild swings in daylight like some places do. You never get super short winter days, but you also won’t see the endless daylight of far-north latitudes.
For most people, you can count on 11–13 hours of daylight year-round, with the longest days lining up with the warmest months.
This consistency makes it easier to plan trips, tours, or beach days without worrying about major seasonal changes.
Sea and Water Temperatures
Toamasina’s coastal spot gives you warm, steady sea conditions all year. Summer brings only small shifts in water temperature, so the ocean stays great for swimming and other activities.
Average Sea Temperature in Summer
In summer, the sea in Toamasina usually sits around 24.5°C to 25°C (76°F to 77°F). That’s based on long-term records and covers both the highs and lows for the season.
The warmest months can reach closer to 25.5°C, while cooler days might dip just under 24°C. These changes are pretty minor compared to air temperature swings.
Water salinity here is about 34.5‰, which matches the global ocean average. This stable salinity, plus the tropical climate, keeps the water consistently warm.
Looking at historical data, Toamasina’s summer sea temperatures rarely drop below 23°C. So you can count on reliable warmth, without any sudden cold snaps.
Swimming Conditions and Recommendations
Since sea temperatures stay above 20°C all year, you can swim comfortably no matter the season—including summer.
The water feels warm enough for long swims, and you won’t need a wetsuit.
On average, summer brings safe and inviting conditions. But wave heights can reach 1.8 to 2 meters sometimes, so you should check surf forecasts if you’re planning to swim far from shore.
Calmer mornings usually offer the best swimming. Afternoon winds can kick up surface chop, which might affect visibility and comfort.
For most visitors, the mix of warm water and manageable surf makes Toamasina a solid choice for beach days. Families, casual swimmers, and even snorkelers can enjoy the sea with little worry about water temperature.
Wind, Pressure, and Other Weather Factors
During summer in Toamasina, you’ll notice steady winds, moderate pressure, and usually clear visibility. These things really shape how the weather feels—and honestly, they can make or break outdoor plans, especially if you’re near the coast.
Prevailing Winds in Summer
Winds in Toamasina during summer usually stay light to moderate. Most days, you’ll see speeds close to 4 mph.
Some months, like February, can surprise you with stronger gusts, sometimes reaching 13 mph. That breeze helps the air feel a bit lighter, even though the humidity is pretty high.
The wind mostly comes in from the east and southeast because the Indian Ocean influences it. These breezes do a decent job of keeping temperatures in check, so daytime highs of 86°F (30°C) don’t feel as overwhelming as you might expect.
They also help clear out clouds and improve the air quality, which is always a plus.
If you’re traveling, the wind usually won’t ruin your plans. Sailing and coastal activities often get a boost from that steady flow.
But, late summer sometimes brings stronger gusts, making the water a bit choppier. If you’re thinking about outdoor excursions, you might find mornings calmer, while afternoons tend to get a bit breezier.
Atmospheric Pressure and Visibility
In Toamasina, summer pressure usually sits around 763 mmHg (hectopascals equivalent), and it doesn’t really budge much. You probably won’t run into wild swings that leave you with headaches or fatigue.
Since the pressure stays steady, the climate feels more predictable than places where the numbers jump all over the place.
Most of the season, visibility is pretty good. Sure, rain showers pop up, but they tend to move on quickly, and the skies clear out soon after.
Even in the wetter months like January or February, you’ll often get long breaks with wide-open views between storms.
Humidity often hangs above 80%, which sounds intense, but steady pressure and gentle breezes keep the air from turning stuffy.
This balance really helps daily life, and honestly, it makes summer weather a lot more manageable for tourists too, even with all the rain.