About Somalia

Sara and John say...

Otherwise known as the ‘Horn of Africa’, Somalia has a hot and dry climate for much of the year.

The most arid area is the northeast, where rainfall is scarce throughout. The heat can be unbearable for visitors in summer, reaching the 40s Celsius on a routine basis. The winter period from October to March is somewhat cooler, but not by much! And despite the lack of rainfall, humidity can be high, especially in summer.

The capital, Mogadishu, sees a more constant heat than further north - sitting in the 30s Celsius by day for much of the year. The trade winds off the sea help to regulate temperatures, but occasionally, winds from the interior can send heat to stifling levels. And sandstorms do sometimes markedly reduce visibility.

Most of the country does see some rain, although the winter months from December to March are largely dry.
The rains tend to be heaviest further west across Somalia, especially over the mountains of the northwest. The downpours tend to come in short, sharp bursts. So even during the rainier months, many days are dry.

Tropical cyclones can sometimes arrive from the Arabian Sea, to bring copious rain and strong winds to the desert northeast, but these events are infrequent.

Heat and dehydration are the greater hazards for visitors to Somalia, but December and January are the most comfortable months to visit. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

(Image courtesy: Yusuf Som)