Addis Ababa has spring-like weather all year. Because the city sits high on a plateau at about 2,355 m, daytime highs stay around 21–26°C in every month and nights are cool, often 7–12°C. What really changes is the rain: June to September is the main rainy season, wettest in July and August, while October to January is mostly dry and sunny, with the coldest nights in November to January.
So the answer to "what should I pack?" is almost always the same: layers. A T-shirt for the afternoon, a fleece or light jacket for the morning and evening, and in the rainy months a proper waterproof. And if the weather turns, a car and driver keeps your day on track: we drop you at the door of each stop and wait, so a downpour doesn't mean standing in the street looking for a taxi.
What is the weather in Addis Ababa each month?
These are long-term averages from Ethiopia's weather records, rounded. Individual years vary, and some years the rains start early or linger.
| Option | Time | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Highs about 24°C, lows about 8°C; around 3 rainy days | Dry, sunny, cold nights | Warm layer for evenings; Genna and Timkat crowds |
| February | Highs about 24–25°C, lows about 9–10°C; around 5 rainy days | Mostly dry | Light layers, sunhat |
| March | Highs about 25–26°C, lows about 10–12°C; around 7 rainy days | Warmest days, first showers | Light layers, small umbrella |
| April | Highs about 24–25°C, lows about 11–12°C; around 10 rainy days | Short belg rains | Umbrella or light rain jacket |
| May | Highs about 25°C, lows about 11–12°C; around 10 rainy days | Warm with showers | Umbrella or light rain jacket |
| June | Highs about 23–24°C, lows about 10–12°C; around 20 rainy days | Main rains begin | Rain jacket, shoes for puddles |
| July | Highs about 21°C, lows about 10–12°C; around 27 rainy days | Wettest, grey and cool | Waterproof jacket, warm layer |
| August | Highs about 21°C, lows about 10–12°C; around 26 rainy days | Wettest, grey and cool | Waterproof jacket, warm layer |
| September | Highs about 22°C, lows about 10–11°C; around 18 rainy days | Rains easing, very green | Rain layer; New Year and Meskel |
| October | Highs about 23°C, lows about 9–10°C; around 4 rainy days | Dry season starts | Layers, sunhat |
| November | Highs about 23°C, lows about 7–8°C; about 1 rainy day | Driest, clear skies | Warm layer for cold nights |
| December | Highs about 23°C, lows about 7–8°C; about 1 rainy day | Driest, sunniest | Warm layer for cold nights |
What are Ethiopia's seasons?
Ethiopians describe the year by its rains rather than by summer and winter. For Addis and the central highlands there are three seasons:
- Bega, October to January: the dry season. Clear skies, lots of sunshine, warm afternoons and the coldest nights of the year; record lows have touched freezing.
- Belg, February to May: the short rains. Showers come and go, and March to May has the warmest afternoons.
- Kiremt, June to September: the main rainy season. Heavy rain on most days in July and August, grey skies and cooler days.
December is usually the sunniest month, with around nine hours of sunshine a day on average; July is the dullest, with fewer than four. Humidity follows the rain, highest in July and August.
What is Addis Ababa like in the rainy season?
Very workable. Rain in July and August often comes as heavy downpours rather than all-day drizzle, and the city carries on: museums, restaurants, markets and cafés stay open, and the hills around Addis turn deep green. The practical effects are on the streets. In our experience driving in Addis, roads flood quickly in a downpour, traffic slows badly, and walking between places gets muddy.
That makes the rainy season a good time to have a driver by the day. Plan indoor sights such as the National Museum for the afternoon, when the heaviest rain often falls, keep your umbrella in the car, and allow extra time for the airport.
When is the best weather in Addis Ababa?
For dry, sunny days, October to February. November, December and January are the driest months of all, with rain on only one or two days a month on average. This is also the busiest time for visitors, especially around Genna (Ethiopian Christmas, 7 January 2027) and Timkat (19 January 2027), so book hotels early.
September is a lovely shoulder month. The rains ease through the month, the highlands are at their greenest, and two big celebrations fall in September: Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, and Meskel. If you are flying in for them, tell us your dates and we'll book your hotel in birr and meet you at Bole; you pay us one amount in US dollars or your own currency.
What should you pack for Addis Ababa?
- Layers. T-shirts or light shirts, plus a fleece, jumper or light jacket for mornings and evenings in every month.
- Something warm for night. From November to January nights can be properly cold, so pack a warm jumper or jacket.
- A waterproof. Essential from June to September, and useful in March to May and in El Niño years.
- Sun protection. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun is strong at this altitude even when the air feels cool.
- Sensible shoes. Closed shoes that cope with uneven pavements and puddles, and something easy to slip off for church visits.
- Modest clothes. Long trousers or skirts and tops with sleeves suit churches and fit in well; women may want a scarf to cover their hair in church.
Is the weather different outside Addis Ababa?
Very. Addis is high and cool; the Rift Valley lakes to the south, around Bishoftu and Hawassa, are lower and noticeably warmer, and Arba Minch warmer again. Most of the country follows the same June–September rainy season, but the far south and the eastern lowlands follow different patterns. If you are adding a trip out of the city, pack for warmer days and tell us your plans: we drive to Bishoftu, Hawassa and the south regularly and can tell you how the roads look before you go.
Questions people ask us
What is the rainy season in Addis Ababa?+−
The main rains, kiremt, run from June to September and are heaviest in July and August, when it rains on most days. There are also lighter showers from about February to May.
Does it get cold in Addis Ababa?+−
At night, yes. Lows average about 7–12°C, and November to January nights are the coldest. Daytime highs are usually 21–26°C.
What is the best month to visit Addis Ababa?+−
For dry, sunny weather, October to February, with November to January the driest. September is greener, with the New Year and Meskel celebrations.
Is September a good time to visit Addis Ababa?+−
Yes, for many people. The rains ease through the month, the highlands are green, and Enkutatash (New Year) and Meskel both fall in September. Bring a rain layer for the early part of the month.
Can I get a driver in Addis Ababa for rainy days?+−
Yes. With a driver by the day we take you door to door and wait at each stop, so rain and flooded streets don't disrupt your plans. Message us on WhatsApp for a fixed quote.
Sources
We checked this answer against these pages on 29 September 2026. Rules and advice change, so check official sources before you travel.
- Addis Ababa: climate data (1991–2020) · Wikipedia
- World Weather Information Service: Addis Ababa climatological information · World Meteorological Organization
- Climate of Ethiopia · Wikipedia
- Kiremt 2025 assessment and Bega 2025–26 outlook · Ethiopian Meteorology Institute
- Ethiopia Faces Sharp Shift in Weather Risks as El Niño Persists (19 Sept 2026) · The Reporter Ethiopia
- When to visit Ethiopia · Brilliant Ethiopia
- Best time to visit Ethiopia · Steppes Travel
- Ethiopia public holidays 2027 · timeanddate.com
Written by the Ethiopia Driver team, Addis Ababa. A family-run driver service. We only write about roads we drive ourselves and we update these answers regularly. Something changed? Tell us on WhatsApp.
