Climate in Eritrea

Eritrea has a hot, dry desert strip along the eastern coast, and cooler, wetter conditions in the western highlands. The lowland regions between these areas tend to be semi-arid.

The eastern lowlands and coastal belt experience hot summers between June and September, when scorching temperatures range from 86°F to 102°F (30°C and 39°C), and cooler winters between October and May, when temperatures drop slightly to the 77°F to 89°F (25°C and 32°C) range. Some rain graces the coastal belt between October and March, but not enough to hinder travel. It gets unbearably hot in the Dankalia Desert and there is hardly any rainfall.

The western highlands are generally cooler and wetter, with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). May is the hottest month of summer, and the coldest winter months, between December and February, see temperatures dropping almost to freezing point at night. June to September is the rainy season in the highlands.

Asmara, in central Eritrea, has a pleasant climate year-round, with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C) and most rain falling between June and September.

The best time to visit Eritrea is either in September and October, or March and April. The period between June and September is best avoided as it is rainy in the west, and uncomfortably hot in the east.