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The Weather and Climate in Ethiopia

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Due to the country’s proximity to the equator and it’s largely diverse topography, Ethiopia experiences varied conditions of climate that range from almost freezing temperatures of near 0°C to very hot, very arid temperatures that could reach up to 50°C. This climatic range is further subdivided into three climate zones based on altitude.

The first zone is the coolest one among the three. It affects locations in Ethiopia that are more than 2500 meters above sea level. These areas can be found in the eastern and western regions of the northwest plateau. There are also areas around the Harer that are inside this climate zone. For Ethiopians, this cool climate zone is known as the “Dega”.

The second climate zone is locally referred to as the “Weina Dega”. It is characterized by a temperate climate and a temperature range that has a low of 16°C and a high that could reach up to 30°C. This zone affects all locations in the country that are between 1500 to 2500 meters above sea level. Most of Ethiopia’s cities and general population are located in this particular climate zone.

The third climate zone is the hot and arid “Kola” zone. This zone includes all areas in the country that are no more than 1500 meters above sea level. The temperature here ranges from 30°C up to 50°C and the humidity is usually high.

The capital city of Addis Ababa, just like most of the other major cities, is exposed to a very pleasant climate for most of the year. Its average temperature is around 16°C with minimum lows reaching 5°C and highs hovering around 25°C. The rainy season usually lasts from March to September with an average rainfall of about 1200mm. The light rains come in the earlier months of March to May while the heavier rains come in the months of June to September. The dry season on the other hand lasts from October to February.