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Weather & Climate in Lilongwe, Malawi
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lilongwe enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 71°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 273 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 34.8 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 3,465 feet.
Temperature
71°F Jan (22°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 68.3°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,465 ft (1,056 m) |
| Area | 281.0 sq mi (727.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,971/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -13.9669°N, 33.7873°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Blantyre |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Jul 22, 1995 | 16 km NW of Monkey Bay, Malawi | M5.1 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | 34 km E of Lilongwe, Malawi | M5.1 | 35 km | 33 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | 25 km SSE of Dowa, Malawi | M4.9 | 32 km | 33 km |
| Mar 1, 1990 | 33 km W of Chipoka, Malawi | M4.9 | 46 km | 10 km |
| Apr 12, 2007 | 29 km N of Monkey Bay, Malawi | M4.8 | 121 km | 14 km |
| Aug 24, 1998 | 29 km E of Salima, Malawi | M4.8 | 104 km | 46 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | 1 km NNW of Dowa, Malawi | M4.7 | 39 km | 33 km |
| Jan 12, 2010 | 7 km SE of Salima, Malawi | M4.7 | 79 km | 10 km |
| Sep 30, 1995 | 7 km SW of Salima, Malawi | M4.6 | 69 km | 33 km |
| Apr 4, 1993 | 10 km S of Salima, Malawi | M4.6 | 74 km | 10 km |
| May 31, 1996 | 10 km WNW of Salima, Malawi | M4.6 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Jul 6, 2025 | 13 km NE of Chipoka, Malawi | M4.6 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jan 7, 2022 | 18 km WNW of Monkey Bay, Malawi | M4.5 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2025 | 35 km S of Monkey Bay, Malawi | M4.5 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Oct 8, 2016 | 27 km N of Salima, Malawi | M4.4 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Aug 15, 2015 | 24 km ENE of Salima, Malawi | M4.4 | 100 km | 36 km |
| Oct 1, 2000 | 14 km NW of Salima, Malawi | M4.2 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 32 km NE of Salima, Malawi | M4.0 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 2000 | 43 km SSW of Monkey Bay, Malawi | M3.9 | 116 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2022 | 72 km SW of Dedza, Malawi | M3.9 | 99 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71°F (22°C) | 9.0 in | Wettest |
| February | 71°F (21°C) | 7.5 in | |
| March | 70°F (21°C) | 5.7 in | |
| April | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | Coldest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 0.0 in | |
| October | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 74°F (23°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| December | 72°F (22°C) | 7.1 in |
Lilongwe has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 61°F in July to 74°F in November. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.0") and August the driest (0.0").