Weather in Lubumbashi

October is the warmest month (average 26.2°C, high 33.8°C) and June is the coolest (average 17.5°C, low 9.6°C). That 8.7°C swing in monthly averages is the first thing to plan around in Lubumbashi.

Rain is the monsoon runs from November to March, inside an annual total of 1120 mm. The wettest month is December at 268 mm; the driest is July at 1 mm. Lubumbashi is in DR Congo at 11.7°S. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a monsoon climate with a sharp wet-dry split. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are July, August, and September.

Rainfall pattern

The monsoon in Lubumbashi starts in November and ends in March (November, December, January, February, and March). December is the core of it at 268 mm. July is the other extreme, with 1 mm.

Humidity peaks near 84%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

Temperature through the year

Lubumbashi has a 8.7°C gap between its coolest monthly average (17.5°C in June) and its warmest (26.2°C in October). That is a southern-hemisphere pattern.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 27.8°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; October nights still hold 18.5°C.

What stands out month by month

February stands apart from the months beside it: 26.0°C / 17.3°C and 200 mm. In April, Lubumbashi averages 26.2°C by day and 15.3°C at night, with 56 mm of rain. May: 25.9°C high, 12.2°C low, 4 mm rain, 73% humidity. The year bottoms out in June. Plan for 9.6°C at night and 25.3°C in the afternoon. July is the driest month, averaging only 1 mm across 0 rainy days. Highs sit near 26.1°C.

In August, Lubumbashi averages 29.4°C by day and 11.5°C at night, with 1 mm of rain. September: 32.9°C high, 15.2°C low, 3 mm rain, 38% humidity. Peak heat arrives in October: 33.8°C by day, 18.5°C at night, and 44% humidity. November is when the monsoon typically starts in Lubumbashi: highs near 30.1°C, and rainfall jumps to 131 mm (19 rainy days). December is the wettest month — 268 mm and 29 rainy days, with 82% humidity.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are July, August, and September: July (17.6°C average, 1 mm, 58% humidity); August (20.5°C average, 1 mm, 47% humidity); September (24.0°C average, 3 mm, 38% 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 November–March instead of the score.

Lubumbashi and other cities in DR Congo

Mbuji-Mayi is about 748 km away: Lubumbashi is 1.8°C cooler than Mbuji-Mayi in its hottest month and 65 mm drier over the year than Mbuji-Mayi. Mbuji-Mayi’s wettest month is November (162 mm) versus December here.

Kananga is about 849 km away: Lubumbashi is 1.4°C cooler than Kananga in its hottest month and 121 mm drier over the year than Kananga. Kananga’s wettest month is November (171 mm) versus December here.

Kisangani is about 1377 km away: Lubumbashi is 0.7°C cooler than Kisangani in its hottest month and 467 mm drier over the year than Kisangani. Kisangani’s wettest month is October (188 mm) versus December here.