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Weather & Climate in Kigali, Rwanda
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kigali enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 66°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 352 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 5,059 feet.
Temperature
66°F Jan (19°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 67.9°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 352 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,059 ft (1,542 m) |
| Area | 281.9 sq mi (730.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,019/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -1.9500°N, 30.0589°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Kigali |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
89 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 | 118 km | 11 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 20 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.9 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 37 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.8 | 131 km | 11 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 43 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.5 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 28 km SSW of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.5 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Feb 14, 2008 | 8 km N of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.3 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2003 | Rwanda - Burundi region | M5.2 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Jan 22, 2002 | 8 km NW of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.2 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Jan 21, 2002 | 22 km S of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.1 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 2002 | 13 km SSW of Sake, Democratic Republic of the Congo | M5.1 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 37 km W of Kibuye, Rwanda | M5.0 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 11 km NE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M5.0 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 22 km NNE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.9 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Mar 9, 1994 | 14 km N of Eglise Catholique, Centrale GIKO, Rwanda | M4.8 | 34 km | 33 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 41 km W of Kibuye, Rwanda | M4.8 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2008 | 8 km ESE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.8 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2016 | 24 km SE of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.8 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2008 | 4 km SSW of Cyangugu, Rwanda | M4.7 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Feb 11, 1997 | 18 km N of Cibitoke, Burundi | M4.7 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Oct 24, 2002 | 41 km W of Kibuye, Rwanda | M4.7 | 121 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 | - | - | 113 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Muhavura (76 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Muhavura | Stratovolcano | 4,103 m (13,461 ft) | Unknown | 76 km |
| Karisimbi | Stratovolcano | 4,490 m (14,731 ft) | -8050 | 84 km |
| Visoke | Stratovolcano | 3,696 m (12,126 ft) | 1957 | 84 km |
| Nyiragongo | Stratovolcano | 3,470 m (11,385 ft) | 2020 | 102 km |
| Nyamuragira | Shield | 3,058 m (10,033 ft) | 2020 | 113 km |
| Bunyaruguru | Maar(s) | 1,554 m (5,098 ft) | Unknown | 195 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 68°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 7.2 in | Wettest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 67°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in |
Kigali has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 66°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.2 inches, with April being the wettest month (7.2") and July the driest (0.4").