The Climate of
Burundi
Plaza de la Revolución, Bujumbura
Climate Map
Climate map of Burundi
What is the climate of Burundi like?
Burundi is a small country in central Africa is about the size of Wales or New Jersey and is densely populated. It lies between 2° and 4°S and is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. It is a hilly and mountainous country, with its highest point rising to over 4,600 meters (15,000 feet).
Although Burundi lies within five degrees of the equator, its high elevations keep temperatures at a comfortable level. Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F). The area around Lake Tanganyika is warmer, averaging 23°C (73°F); the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging 16°C (60°F). Bujumbura on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika is representative of the lower regions of the country.
Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the northwest. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January, in highland regions), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between 1,300 and 1,600 millimeters (51–63 inches) of rainfall a year. The Bujumbura plain in the west, and the northeast, receive between 750 and 1,000 millimeters (30–40 inches). The mountains are much wetter with rather more cloud.
| Climate data for Bujumbura (1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 29.1 (84.4) | 29.7 (85.5) | 29.3 (84.7) | 29.2 (84.6) | 29.9 (85.8) | 29.9 (85.8) | 29.2 (84.6) | 30.0 (86.0) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.1 (86.2) | 29.1 (84.4) | 28.9 (84.0) | 29.6 (85.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.7 (74.7) | 23.9 (75.0) | 23.9 (75.0) | 23.3 (73.9) | 22.9 (73.2) | 24.0 (75.2) | 24.7 (76.5) | 24.6 (76.3) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.6 (74.5) | 23.8 (74.8) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 19.2 (66.6) | 19.3 (66.7) | 19.3 (66.7) | 19.6 (67.3) | 19.1 (66.4) | 17.6 (63.7) | 17.2 (63.0) | 17.4 (63.3) | 18.6 (65.5) | 19.1 (66.4) | 19.1 (66.4) | 19.1 (66.4) | 18.7 (65.7) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 100.3 (3.95) | 85.7 (3.37) | 117.5 (4.63) | 111.9 (4.41) | 56.6 (2.23) | 8.9 (0.35) | 2.7 (0.11) | 13.4 (0.53) | 33.0 (1.30) | 59.0 (2.32) | 97.1 (3.82) | 99.6 (3.92) | 785.7 (30.93) |
| Source: World Meteorological Organization | |||||||||||||
References
- E. A. Pearce, Charles Gordon Smith, (1990) The Hutchinson World Weather Guide, John Murray Press. ISBN 1859863426
- Timothy L. Gall, (ed.), (2003), Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Eleventh Edition, Thomson Gale
- Hugh Chisholm, (ed.), (1911), Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh edition, Cambridge University Press
The Climate of
Burundi
In summary:
Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate. The average annual temperature in the western plains (including the capital city of Bujumbura) is 23°C (73°F). Temperatures average 20°C (68°F) in the plateau region and 16°C (60°F) in the mountains.
Dry seasons occur from June to August and December to January, and rainy seasons from February to May and September to November.