Seasons of the Year Seasons in Madagascar
Weather conditions in Madagascar are related to tropical monsoon type of climate. Thus change of seasons here is expressed in changing of directions of winds and amount of precipitation rather than in temperature. There are dry season with nominal period between May and October and rainy season which lasts from November to April.
More specific territory of the island is stretched from south to north and has some mountains thus actual weather conditions are pretty diverse. There are few climatic zones from subequatorial in eats to subtropical in west. Average daytime air temperature never goes below 20 °C (68 °F). East coast is having most precipitation while south and south-west are dry regions.
Seasons
Contents:
March-May in Madagascar
To the middle of spring weather in the country acts as at winter. In regions distant from equator daytime temperature reaches 30 °C (86 °F). In capital located on 4000 m a.s.l (13100 ft.) temperature is softer with about 26 °C (79 °F). Western regions are warmer by couple degrees. In addition some parts of the island are cool at night (9 °C; 48 °F).
In general March isn’t best time to visit Madagascar due to excessive precipitation. At the middle of April intensity of showers significantly decreases, air become drier and temperature range goes down. May marks the beginning of swimsuit season because oceanic water cools down to 26 °C (79 °F).
Climate from March to May
| March Max average t°: +25 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (60 °F) * Water t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 133 mm (5.2") |
| April Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) * Water t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 41 mm (1.6") |
| May Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +11.5 °C (53 °F) * Water t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 12 mm (0.5") |
(Antananarivo, and *Tolanaro)
Holidays
Easter celebrations with variable dates.
March 29 – Martyrs' Day.
May 1 – Labour Day.
May 25 – Africa’s Day.
June-August in Madagascar
Calendar summer on the island is actual winter because temperature goes down becoming more comfortable. Moreover humidity levels are stabilized due to decreased precipitation. In general climatic winter on the island is the best time for vacation. Destructive anticyclones have passed as well as peak of sun activity.
Travelling across Madagascar is comfortable at summer for roads aren’t damped by massive showers. Average daytime temperature reaches 28 °C (82 °F). Light drizzly rains are bringing freshness rather than discomfort. However at night air cools down significantly. I.e. in the capital it may cool down to 10 °C (50 °F).
Climate from June to August
| June Max average t°: +21.5 °C (71 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) * Water t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 5.6 mm (0.22") |
| July Max average t°: +20 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) * Water t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 6.4 mm (0.25") |
| August Max average t°: +20 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +9.5 °C (49 °F) * Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 6.4 mm (0.25") |
(Antananarivo, and *Tolanaro)
Holidays
June 26 – Independence Day.
July 14 – Ceremony of washing relics of the kings of Buena.
August 15 – Assumption.
September-November in Madagascar
Autumn is transition between dry and wet seasons. Beginning from September range of average temperatures starts to grow. In general weather conditions of first half of the season are comfortable for sightseeing and seaside activities.
At last week of October tourists are usually left the island for south-east trade-wind is coming and brings long intense tropical showers which are usually fall after noon or at evening. In southern regions showers less pronounced yet there is no significant infrastructure there.
Climate from September to November
| September Max average t°: +22.5 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +10.5 °C (51 °F) * Water t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 7.4 mm (0.3") |
| October Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F) * Water t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 52 mm (2.0") |
| November Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (58 °F) * Water t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 166 mm (6.5") |
(Antananarivo, and *Tolanaro)
Holidays
September 27 – Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul.
November 1 – All Saints Day.
December-February in Madagascar
Calendar winter is summer on the island. In addition this is the peak of rainy season and period of growing average temperatures. Temperature range of certain location strongly depends on altitude. I.e. in Antananarivo located in highlands it is about 27 °C (81 °F) while in Tulear of semidesert region there is up to 33 °C (91 °F).
This isn’t best season for seaside vacationing due to strong winds causing tall waves. However temperature of the water of the Indian Ocean is in range between 27 and 30 °C (81-86 °F). On the other hand salted surfers may find those waves enjoyable. But in general summer months are better time to visit the island.
Climate from December to February
| December Max average t°: +26 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +15.5 °C (60 °F) * Water t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 258 mm (10.2") |
| January Max average t°: +25 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) * Water t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 14 days Precipitation: 275 mm (10.8") |
| February Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) * Water t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 271 mm (10.7") |
(Antananarivo, and *Tolanaro)
Holidays
December 25 – Christmas Day.
December 30 – Republic Day.
January 1 – New Year's Day.
