Weather & Climate in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Butha-Buthe experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches. The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 5,630 feet.
Temperature
64°F Jan (18°C)
41°F Jul (5°C)
| Annual Average | 54.2°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 41°F (5°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,630 ft (1,716 m) |
| Area | 837.0 sq mi (2,167.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 12/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 28.7666°S, 28.2494°E |
| Timezone | Africa/Maseru |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Jan 27, 2002 | 43 km SE of Nako, Lesotho | M4.3 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 2002 | 25 km S of Nako, Lesotho | M4.3 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Sep 5, 2016 | 4 km SSW of Nako, Lesotho | M4.3 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2015 | 25 km ESE of Ventersburg, South Africa | M4.2 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jul 24, 2001 | 12 km S of Hennenman, South Africa | M4.2 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 1993 | 5 km S of Nako, Lesotho | M3.8 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 1995 | 35 km NE of Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho | M3.7 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 1996 | 12 km ESE of Virginia, South Africa | M3.6 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Aug 8, 1990 | 6 km E of Virginia, South Africa | M3.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 12, 1994 | 7 km ENE of Virginia, South Africa | M2.5 | 150 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 67°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| March | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 45°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| July | 41°F (5°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 64°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in |
Butha-Buthe has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 41°F in July to 67°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 29.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.7") and June the driest (0.4").