Highest and Lowest Temperatures in Africa | The African Gourmet
Highest and Lowest Temperatures in Africa
The hottest average temperature on Earth is found in Dallol, Ethiopia, averaging 93°F (33.9°C) year-round. The highest temperature ever recorded in Africa was at Al Aziziyah, Libya, which reached 136°F (57.8°C) on September 13, 1922. The lowest recorded temperature in Africa was -11°F (-24°C) at Ifrane, Morocco, on February 11, 1935.
Africa’s Weather Extremes
Africa’s weather varies dramatically. Snowfall is common in South African towns during June, July, and August, while regions like Libya and Ethiopia experience searing desert heat. These differences showcase Africa’s incredible geographic diversity — from ice-capped peaks to vast arid deserts.
Walking to school in the South African snow
The Hottest Place in Africa — Al Aziziyah, Libya
Al Aziziyah, Libya, located about 25 miles south of Tripoli, holds the record for Africa’s hottest temperature — 136°F (57.8°C) recorded in 1922. Though the World Meteorological Organization later re-evaluated it for global rankings, it remains Africa’s highest verified reading. This region, part of the Libyan Desert within the Sahara, regularly experiences scorching temperatures exceeding 120°F (49°C).
Aziziyah, Libya — record holder of Africa’s highest temperature
The Coldest Place in Africa — Ifrane, Morocco
Ifrane, known as Africa’s Little Switzerland, sits 5,460 feet above sea level in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains. On February 11, 1935, it recorded the continent’s lowest temperature at -11°F (-24°C). Today, Ifrane remains famous for its alpine climate, winter snowfall, and ski resorts — a reminder that not all of Africa is hot.
The Hottest Average — Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression
Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression is one of the planet’s hottest, driest, and lowest regions, averaging nearly 93°F (34°C) year-round. Situated 410 feet below sea level, it is home to the Afar people and vibrant salt flats, sulfur springs, and volcanic formations that make it one of Earth’s most extreme environments.
African Cold Weather Feud: Sutherland vs. Buffelsfontein
While Sutherland is South Africa’s coldest town on average, Buffelsfontein Farm holds the record for the lowest temperature — 0°F (−18°C) in June 1996. This light-hearted rivalry mirrors Chicago vs. New York’s pizza debate. Sutherland’s average annual temperature is 52°F, with winter lows near freezing, proving Africa’s weather is more diverse than many imagine.
Why Summer Is Hot and Winter Is Cold
Contrary to popular belief, seasons are not caused by Earth’s distance from the Sun but by the tilt of Earth’s axis. When a hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, sunlight is more direct and days are longer, creating summer. When it tilts away, the light spreads out more and days shorten — creating winter. In June, it’s winter in southern Africa and summer in the north; six months later, the cycle reverses.
Part of our African Geography Hub — discover how Africa’s land, people, and natural features shape its story.
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