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Weather & Climate in Butare, Rwanda
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Butare enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 67°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 5,804 feet.
Temperature
67°F Jan (19°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 66.7°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,804 ft (1,769 m) |
| Area | 7.8 sq mi (20.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 8,013/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -2.5967°N, 29.7394°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Kigali |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
107 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.2.
| Oct 24, 2002 | 34 km SW of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M6.2 | 114 km | 11 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 20 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.9 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 37 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.8 | 106 km | 11 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 28 km SSW of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.5 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 43 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Feb 14, 2008 | 8 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.3 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2003 | Rwanda - Burundi region | M5.2 | 28 km | 10 km |
| Jan 22, 2002 | 8 km NW of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.2 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jul 28, 2025 | 33 km NW of Rumonge, Burundi | M5.2 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 2002 | 13 km SSW of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.1 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jan 21, 2002 | 22 km S of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.1 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 37 km W of Kibuye, Rwanda | M5.0 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 11 km NE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.0 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Sep 15, 2017 | 24 km S of Kabare, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.0 | 105 km | 12 km |
| Sep 28, 1993 | 21 km W of Kabare, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M4.9 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 22 km NNE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.9 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Aug 11, 1993 | 16 km S of Bujumbura, Burundi | M4.8 | 112 km | 21 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 41 km W of Kibuye, Rwanda | M4.8 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2016 | 24 km SE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.8 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 8 km ESE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.8 | 85 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1938 | NYAMURAGIRA | Astronomical | - | - | 145 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Karisimbi (126 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Karisimbi | Stratovolcano | 4,490 m (14,731 ft) | -8050 | 126 km |
| Visoke | Stratovolcano | 3,696 m (12,126 ft) | 1957 | 130 km |
| Nyiragongo | Stratovolcano | 3,470 m (11,385 ft) | 2020 | 132 km |
| Muhavura | Stratovolcano | 4,103 m (13,461 ft) | Unknown | 135 km |
| Nyamuragira | Shield | 3,058 m (10,033 ft) | 2020 | 145 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | |
| February | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | |
| March | 67°F (19°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 67°F (19°C) | 8.2 in | Wettest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 66°F (19°C) | 5.9 in | |
| December | 67°F (19°C) | 4.7 in |
Butare has a seasonal temperature swing of 2°F / from 66°F in June to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with April being the wettest month (8.2") and July the driest (0.3").