Malawi Weather Radar

Malawi climate

Malawi's climate is shaped by its position in the East African Rift Valley and the enormous influence of Lake Malawi, which stretches 580 kilometers along the country's eastern border. The lake moderates temperatures in the lakeshore areas and generates localized weather patterns including lake breeze effects and occasional squalls. The country has a subtropical climate with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October, with rainfall varying significantly by altitude and proximity to the lake.

The highlands, including the Mulanje Massif at 3,002 meters and the Nyika Plateau above 2,000 meters, receive the highest rainfall in the country, over 2,000mm annually, and can experience cool, misty conditions resembling a temperate climate. The low-lying Shire Valley in the south is the hottest region, with temperatures frequently exceeding 37°C. Malawi is vulnerable to both droughts and floods, with recent cyclone remnants from the Mozambique Channel occasionally bringing devastation to the southern lowlands.

Lilongwe on the central plateau has a pleasant subtropical climate with wet season temperatures around 23°C and dry season highs of 22°C with cool nights dropping to 8°C. The lakeshore city of Mangochi is warmer and more humid, benefiting from the lake's moderating effect. Blantyre in the Shire Highlands is slightly cooler than Lilongwe due to its higher elevation. Lake Malawi's surface temperature ranges from 24°C to 29°C, supporting a remarkable diversity of cichlid fish found nowhere else on Earth.