The best times to visit Lusaka for ideal weather are
April 16th to September 16th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Lusaka Travel Guide
Other Lusaka Travel Info
Weather in Lusaka
Temperature
Average temperatures in Lusaka vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some hot weeks in the summer, with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 57th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Lusaka, the hottest months are October, November, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid October where highs are regularly around 92.6°F (33.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 63.2°F (17.3°C) at night.
Lusaka Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Lusaka Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Lusaka Perceived Temperature (F)
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Lusaka Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Lusaka Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
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Jan | 82.4 | 71.6 | 62.4 |
Feb | 83 | 72 | 61.8 |
Mar | 82 | 71.2 | 61.2 |
Apr | 81.5 | 68.3 | 56.3 |
May | 80.5 | 65.5 | 51.4 |
Jun | 77.8 | 61.8 | 47.6 |
Jul | 76.1 | 60.4 | 45.8 |
Aug | 81.2 | 65.4 | 49.3 |
Sep | 88.9 | 73.1 | 57.2 |
Oct | 91.8 | 77.6 | 62.3 |
Nov | 89 | 75.7 | 63.4 |
Dec | 83.6 | 72.3 | 62.7 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
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Jan | 28 | 22 | 16.9 |
Feb | 28.3 | 22.2 | 16.6 |
Mar | 27.8 | 21.8 | 16.2 |
Apr | 27.5 | 20.2 | 13.5 |
May | 26.9 | 18.6 | 10.8 |
Jun | 25.4 | 16.6 | 8.7 |
Jul | 24.5 | 15.8 | 7.7 |
Aug | 27.3 | 18.6 | 9.6 |
Sep | 31.6 | 22.8 | 14 |
Oct | 33.2 | 25.3 | 16.8 |
Nov | 31.7 | 24.3 | 17.4 |
Dec | 28.7 | 22.4 | 17.1 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Lusaka are June, July, and then September. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late April. For example, on the week of April 23rd there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid January with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of January 15th.
When can you find snow in Lusaka? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Lusaka.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Lusaka (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
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Jan | 37% | 0 | 9.7 |
Feb | 27% | 0 | 5.3 |
Mar | 20% | 0 | 5 |
Apr | 4% | 0 | 0.7 |
May | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
Jun | 0% | 0 | 0 |
Jul | 0% | 0 | 0 |
Aug | 0% | 0 | 0.3 |
Sep | 0% | 0 | 0 |
Oct | 4% | 0 | 1.4 |
Nov | 18% | 0 | 4.9 |
Dec | 33% | 0 | 6.4 |
Show Centimeters
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 37 | 0 | 24.6 |
Feb | 27 | 0 | 13.5 |
Mar | 20 | 0 | 12.7 |
Apr | 4 | 0 | 1.8 |
May | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
Jun | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jul | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Aug | 0 | 0 | 0.8 |
Sep | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Oct | 4 | 0 | 3.6 |
Nov | 18 | 0 | 12.4 |
Dec | 33 | 0 | 16.3 |
Humidity and Wind
Lusaka has some extremely humid months, and slightly dry months in the opposite season. The least humid month is September (34.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is January (84.8%).
Wind in Lusaka is usually calm. The windiest month is July, followed by August and April. July’s average wind speed of around 5.3 knots (6.1 MPH or 9.8 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early July where average top sustained speeds reach 13.8 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Lusaka.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
Jan | 3.3 | Barely noticeable | 8.3 | Gentle breeze |
Feb | 4 | Light breeze | 8.8 | Gentle breeze |
Mar | 4.2 | Light breeze | 9.1 | Gentle breeze |
Apr | 5.1 | Light breeze | 10.3 | Gentle breeze |
May | 4.8 | Light breeze | 10.4 | Gentle breeze |
Jun | 4.5 | Light breeze | 10.2 | Gentle breeze |
Jul | 5.3 | Light breeze | 11.9 | Gentle breeze |
Aug | 5.2 | Light breeze | 10.7 | Gentle breeze |
Sep | 5 | Light breeze | 11 | Gentle breeze |
Oct | 4.9 | Light breeze | 10.3 | Gentle breeze |
Nov | 4.1 | Light breeze | 9.1 | Gentle breeze |
Dec | 3.5 | Barely noticeable | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
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Jan | 84.8% |
Feb | 82.4% |
Mar | 82% |
Apr | 75.3% |
May | 65% |
Jun | 59.6% |
Jul | 56.1% |
Aug | 44.1% |
Sep | 34.4% |
Oct | 38.2% |
Nov | 60.5% |
Dec | 79.7% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Lusaka?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe, except in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are regional travel advisories for Zambia; exercise normal security precautions and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Oct 26, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Lusaka, Zambia is December, followed by July and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Lusaka in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Lusaka Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 83°F (28.3°C) and 79.4°F (26.3°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 0 to 6 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with about 0 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Lusaka, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 92.6°F (33.7°C) and 85.5°F (29.7°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 0 to 5 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Lusaka to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 84.4°F (29.1°C) and 81.2°F (27.3°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 8 to 11 times per month. These times of year are the busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Zambia › Lusaka, Zambia