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Weather & Climate in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Zanzibar has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winters average 82°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 223 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 65.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.
Temperature
82°F Jan (28°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 78.9°F |
| 46% above US avg | |
| January Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 223 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 316.6 sq mi (820.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,242/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -6.1639°N, 39.1979°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Dar_es_Salaam |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.
| Jan 15, 2005 | 13 km SW of Gamba, Tanzania | M5.0 | 19 km | 10 km |
| Jun 10, 2011 | 38 km ESE of Vikindu, Tanzania | M4.8 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Sep 8, 2015 | 59 km ESE of Vikindu, Tanzania | M4.8 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 2023 | Kenya | M4.7 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2017 | 18 km ENE of Tanga, Tanzania | M4.5 | 126 km | 15 km |
| Mar 18, 2024 | 29 km SSE of Mkuranga, Tanzania | M4.5 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Feb 25, 1992 | 67 km SE of Sokoni, Tanzania | M4.5 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jun 9, 1997 | Tanzania | M4.4 | 30 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Hidaya | Category 1 | 92 mph | 277 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 82°F (28°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 82°F (28°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| March | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 in | |
| April | 80°F (27°C) | 16.1 in | Wettest |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 12.3 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 2.2 in | |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 2.0 in | Driest |
| October | 78°F (25°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 79°F (26°C) | 5.9 in | |
| December | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 in |
Zanzibar has a seasonal temperature swing of 6°F / from 76°F in August to 82°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 65.6 inches, with April being the wettest month (16.1") and September the driest (2.0").