Angola Weather Radar

Angola climate

Angola's climate varies dramatically from the arid coastal strip to the tropical interior and the temperate central highlands. The cold Benguela Current flowing northward along the Atlantic coast creates a surprising desert climate in the western lowlands, particularly in Namibe province, where the Namib Desert extends into the country. Moving inland, rainfall increases sharply, and the tropical interior receives 1,500mm or more of precipitation annually during the wet season from October to April.

The central Planalto highlands, where cities like Huambo sit at elevations above 1,700 meters, enjoy a temperate climate with cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures averaging 20-25°C. These highlands are a major agricultural zone, benefiting from reliable rainfall and rich volcanic soils. The northern provinces near the Congo Basin are hot and humid year-round with dense equatorial forest, while the southern regions transition to drier savanna that mirrors neighboring Namibia.

Luanda has a semi-arid tropical climate that surprises many visitors, receiving only about 350mm of rainfall annually despite its equatorial latitude, a direct effect of the cold Benguela Current suppressing convection. The capital experiences a cool, dry season called the Cacimbo from May to September, characterized by overcast skies and fog but almost no rain. The interior city of Malanje receives over 1,300mm of rain, illustrating the stark contrast between coast and interior weather patterns.