Weather in Kinshasa

Kinshasa is in DR Congo at 4.3°S. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a monsoon climate with a sharp wet-dry split. Rain is the monsoon runs from October to May, inside an annual total of 1682 mm. The wettest month is November at 278 mm; the driest is July at 3 mm.

September is the warmest month (average 26.0°C, high 30.7°C) and July is the coolest (average 24.0°C, low 18.7°C). From the coolest night in July (18.7°C) to the hottest afternoon in September (30.7°C), the raw range is 12.0°C. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are June, July, and August.

Best months to visit Kinshasa

The three months with the highest comfort score are June, July, and August: June (24.2°C average, 13 mm, 79% humidity); July (24.0°C average, 3 mm, 76% humidity); August (25.0°C average, 13 mm, 72% humidity). They fall in calendar order. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you want the monsoon itself — fewer crowds, greener landscape, heavier rain — aim at October–May instead of the score.

Temperature through the year

Monthly average highs run from 29.3°C in July to 30.7°C in September. Nights follow the same curve: 18.7°C in July and 21.3°C in September.

Mean high across all twelve months is 29.3°C and mean low is 21.1°C. These are 20-year grid averages, so a city station can read a few degrees warmer or cooler.

Monsoon and dry months

The monsoon in Kinshasa starts in October and ends in May (October, November, December, January, February, March, April, and May). November is the core of it at 278 mm. July is the other extreme, with 3 mm.

A rainy day here is a day with at least 1 mm in the NASA POWER series. November averages 29 such days; July averages 1.

What stands out month by month

January stands apart from the months beside it: 28.9°C / 21.5°C and 165 mm. May closes the monsoon: 149 mm over 21 rainy days, then the calendar dries. June: 28.9°C high, 19.4°C low, 13 mm rain, 79% humidity. July is the coolest month, with lows around 18.7°C and highs near 29.3°C. Rainfall is 3 mm.

Peak heat arrives in September: 30.7°C by day, 21.3°C at night, and 72% humidity. October is when the monsoon typically starts in Kinshasa: highs near 29.7°C, and rainfall jumps to 175 mm (28 rainy days). November is the wettest month — 278 mm and 29 rainy days, with 83% humidity.

How Kinshasa compares inside DR Congo

Kananga is about 806 km away: Kinshasa is 1.6°C cooler than Kananga in its hottest month and 441 mm wetter over the year than Kananga. Kananga’s wettest month is November (171 mm) versus November here.

Mbuji-Mayi is about 938 km away: Kinshasa is 2.0°C cooler than Mbuji-Mayi in its hottest month and 497 mm wetter over the year than Mbuji-Mayi. Mbuji-Mayi’s wettest month is November (162 mm) versus November here.

Kisangani is about 1222 km away: Kinshasa is 0.9°C cooler than Kisangani in its hottest month and 95 mm wetter over the year than Kisangani. Kisangani’s wettest month is October (188 mm) versus November here.