Winter in Harare brings a calm, comfortable break from the hot, rainy months. You can expect mild days with average highs around 21 °C and cool nights that often dip to about 9 °C.
Unlike places where winter means snow or biting cold, Harare’s winter feels gentle. It’s honestly one of the best times to spend outdoors.
Clear skies usually take over during winter, and July is the clearest month of all. Rain barely shows up, so outdoor plans almost never get ruined.
Mornings feel crisp, but afternoons warm up enough for just a light shirt. It’s a refreshing balance, honestly.
Winds calm down compared to the gusty months that follow later in the year. The steady weather makes winter in Harare great for wandering the city, enjoying nature, or just going about daily life without dealing with heat or storms.
Typical Winter Climate in Harare
Harare’s winter brings cooler temperatures, barely any rain, and loads of sunshine. Mild days, cool nights, and dry conditions make outdoor activities easy and predictable.
Seasonal Temperature Patterns
Daytime temperatures in winter usually sit between 21°C and 25°C (70°F to 77°F). Nights cool down a lot, often dropping to 8°C to 10°C (46°F to 50°F) in July, the coldest month.
Harare’s high elevation, about 1,480 meters (4,856 feet) above sea level, really makes those cooler nights stand out. The altitude keeps days pleasant but lets the temperature fall sharply after dark.
Plan on wearing light layers in the day and something warmer at night. Unlike many other southern African cities, Harare skips the extreme winter heat, which makes sightseeing or outdoor travel much more comfortable.
Winter Rainfall Trends
Rain basically disappears in winter. From June to August, average rainfall stays at 1 mm to 2 mm (0.04–0.08 inches) per month.
Compared to the wet season, when totals can hit 150 mm (6 inches) in a month, this is nothing.
With so little rain, clouds and storms almost never show up. Roads and outdoor spots stay dry, so travel plans rarely get thrown off.
Farmers and gardeners have a tougher time, though, since irrigation becomes a must.
For visitors, the dry spell means you can count on the weather for safaris, city walks, and day trips. You won’t need rain gear, but the air feels drier than usual, so keep water handy.
Humidity and Sunshine Hours
Humidity drops to its lowest in winter, usually around 35% to 40%. The air feels crisp, not damp, which is a nice change.
Sunshine is everywhere—7 to 8 hours a day even in the middle of winter. Skies stay clear, and visibility is excellent, so photography and exploring outdoors feel easy.
Thanks to the high elevation, the sun can get surprisingly strong at midday. Sunscreen and a hat are smart, even if the temperature doesn’t feel hot. The mix of low humidity and steady sun creates one of Southern Africa’s most comfortable climates for travelers.
Average Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Winter in Harare feels mild and steady. Afternoons stay warm, evenings cool down, and you don’t really need to worry about wild swings in temperature.
Daytime Highs and Lows
The average daytime temperature in Harare during winter stays comfortable. Afternoon highs usually reach 70°F to 77°F (21°C to 25°C).
Even in June and July, daytime readings rarely dip below 68°F (20°C).
Winter days stay sunny and dry, and the clear skies keep things reliably warm. Outdoor activities feel pleasant, not chilly.
August afternoons are the warmest, as temperatures start to climb toward spring. Highs often reach 73°F (23°C) or a bit more.
Late winter feels a bit warmer than early winter, which is a nice bonus.
Quick overview of daytime temperatures:
- June: ~70°F (21°C)
- July: ~70°F (21°C)
- August: ~73°F (23°C)
These steady temps make it easy to plan daytime outings.
Nighttime Temperature Variations
Nights in Harare during winter cool down but don’t get harsh. Average nighttime temps run between 47°F and 55°F (8°C to 13°C).
June and July bring the coldest early mornings, and the crispness is pretty noticeable.
Clear skies let heat escape quickly after sunset, so you’ll probably want a light jacket or sweater if you’re out at night.
Indoors, though, you won’t really need heavy heating.
By August, nighttime temperatures rise a bit. Lows hover closer to 55°F (13°C), so it’s less chilly than earlier in the season.
Typical nighttime lows:
- June: ~47°F (8°C)
- July: ~47°F (8°C)
- August: ~52–55°F (11–13°C)
These mild nights balance out the warm days, making winter in Harare feel steady and predictable.
Precipitation and Rainfall During Winter
Rainfall during Harare’s winter drops to some of the lowest levels all year. You’ll get very dry conditions, with only the odd light shower now and then.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
From June through August, the city barely sees any rain. June averages about 2 mm, July around 1 mm, and August close to 1–2 mm.
That’s a huge difference from the wet summer months, when rainfall often tops 150 mm in a month.
This dry stretch fits with Harare’s subtropical highland climate. The city’s nearly 1,500-meter elevation keeps things mild but doesn’t bring much winter rain.
Here’s a quick look at the averages:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| June | 2 mm |
| July | 1 mm |
| August | 1–2 mm |
With numbers this low, you’re not likely to see heavy rain or storms. Skies stay mostly clear, and the air stays dry.
Rainy Days Frequency
Rainy days are rare in winter. June averages about 1 rainy day, July less than 1, and August maybe 1 day.
Most of those are just light showers, not steady rain.
This creates a long dry season lasting several months. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll find outdoor activities almost never get canceled by rain.
Since rainfall is so scarce, water supplies depend a lot on the wet season. Farmers and gardeners usually store water during the rains, since winter doesn’t offer much.
Rain-free months also mean dust levels can go up, especially in August when winds pick up. The air feels drier, and nights get cooler, but you’ll see little to no precipitation.
Wind Speed and Air Movement in Winter
Winds in Harare stay pretty calm during winter compared to the hot months. You’ll notice average wind speeds drop, with only small changes from June to August.
These gentle patterns make outdoor plans more predictable and less likely to get disrupted.
Average Wind Speed Patterns
Winter wind speeds in Harare usually run about 2 to 3 meters per second (roughly 4.5–6.7 miles per hour). That’s a lot less than the windy stretch from late August to November, when speeds go above 8 mph.
July is typically the calmest month, with average hourly wind speeds around 7 mph. That’s easy to handle—rarely do you get strong gusts that mess with your plans.
Harare’s plateau location means the city gets steady but gentle air movement. The air feels fresh, but you won’t deal with harsh breezes.
Most winter days feel stable, and only open areas catch light winds.
Windy Days and Seasonal Variability
Winter brings fewer windy days than other seasons. From May through August, notable gusts show up just a few days each month.
For example, June and July average just 0.2 days of measurable rain, and wind speeds stay mild at the same time.
The calmer season stretches from late November through mid-August, so winter falls right in the middle of this long, quiet spell.
The windy season kicks in around mid-August and peaks in October, when average speeds jump over 10 mph.
This seasonal shift lets you plan winter outdoor activities without worrying about gusty winds. Walking, sightseeing, or even eating outside feels more comfortable during these calm months.
Comparing Winter Weather to Other Seasons
Winter in Harare means cooler nights, mild afternoons, and barely any rain. Other seasons swing between hotter days and wetter months, so you really notice the difference in both temperature and rain.
Temperature Differences
During winter, average daytime temperatures sit between 21°C and 25°C (69°F–77°F). Nights cool off a lot, often dropping to about 8°C (46°F) in July.
That chill at night is what really sets winter apart.
In summer, from December to February, daytime temperatures rise to 26°C–29°C (79°F–84°F), and nights stay warmer at about 16°C–17°C (61°F–63°F). Sleeping without a fan or AC? Not so easy in summer.
Spring and autumn are more like in-between seasons. Spring afternoons can reach 28°C–30°C (82°F–86°F), while autumn cools a bit to 23°C–25°C (73°F–77°F).
Winter stands out for its crisp mornings and the coldest night temperatures of the year.
| Season | Avg Day Temp | Avg Night Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 21–25°C | 8–10°C |
| Summer | 26–29°C | 16–17°C |
| Spring | 25–30°C | 10–17°C |
| Autumn | 23–25°C | 10–13°C |
Rainfall and Humidity Changes
Winter is easily the driest time of year in Harare. From June to August, average rainfall drops to 2 mm or less per month, so skies stay clear and humidity stays low.
Relative humidity hovers around 40%, which feels comfortable and never sticky.
Summer flips the script. December alone can bring over 150 mm of rain, with humidity jumping above 75–80%. Cloudy skies and afternoon showers are the norm.
Spring starts dry, but by November rainfall spikes to 60 mm. Autumn goes the other way—rainfall falls from 50 mm in March to almost nothing by May.
The contrast between winter and summer is stark: dry air and almost no rain in winter compared to heavy rain and high humidity in summer.
That shift really changes how you plan your days, whether you’re sightseeing in July’s dry air or prepping for downpours in December.
Factors Influencing Winter Weather in Harare
Harare’s winter weather comes down to a mix of its altitude and how the city interacts with natural weather patterns. These things help explain the mild days, chilly nights, and the almost total lack of rain during winter.
Altitude and Geography
Harare sits at about 1,490 meters (4,890 feet) above sea level, and that elevation really shapes its winter. The air’s thinner and cooler than it is in Zimbabwe’s lower regions.
So, you’ll notice crisp nights where temperatures can dip to around 8°C (46°F), even though daytime highs usually hit the low or mid-20s Celsius.
The city’s spot on the plateau also keeps humidity low. Rainfall almost disappears in winter, sometimes dropping to just 2 mm per month in June and July.
With dry air and clear skies, there’s a lot of sunshine—about 7–8 hours daily. That sunlight keeps days pleasant, even if nights get pretty cool.
Geography here also helps dodge harsh winter weather. Harare doesn’t really get heavy fog or frost like some coastal or lowland places.
Instead, you’ll find stable, dry conditions that make it easier to plan outdoor activities.
Urban Climate Effects
The city’s built environment actually changes winter weather, even if it’s just a bit. Concrete, asphalt, and buildings soak up heat during the day, then let it out slowly at night. That creates a mild urban heat island effect.
So, central Harare often feels a couple degrees warmer at night than the countryside nearby.
Air quality shifts too during winter. With less wind and rain, dust and smoke from wood burning tend to stick around longer than they would in wetter months.
Sometimes you’ll notice reduced visibility in certain spots, but honestly, it’s still clearer than during the rainy season.
You might spot warmer evenings in the city center compared to the suburbs or out in the rural areas. The difference is usually pretty slight, maybe 2–3°C at most, and it doesn’t really change the overall dry, cool winter vibe.