Climate

Malawi's climate is subtropical, but the country's variable altitude provides wide differences in climate, with rainfall generally increasing and the temperature decreasing with altitude. The vast water surface of Lake Malawi also profoundly affects the climate, with the edges of the lake have long hot seasons and high humidity, with mean annual temperatures of 24°C (75°F).

In general, the seasons in Malawi may be divided into;

• rainy (November to April), with rains continuing longer in the northern and eastern mountains
• post-rainy (April-May), with temperatures falling in May
• cool (May to mid-August) little to no rain
• hot (mid August to November) little to no rain

Malawi is noted for its rapid shifts from low to high rainfall. Trade winds and cool maritime air bring clouds and drizzly rain to the mountains in the east. Winters are cool, with occasional spells of cold weather.

Lilongwe, in central Malawi, at an elevation of 1,036 (3,400 ft) has a moderately warm climate with adequate rainfall and extreme temperatures of -3.4°C and 36°C (26°F and 97°F). Zomba, in the south, has extreme temperatures of 7°C and 35°C (45°F and 95°F) and considerable rainfall.