Madagascar in Dec/Jan, how bad is the rainy season?
I am considering visiting Madagascar for the whole of December and the first half of January. Various online weather services show that a rainy season /monsoon hits Madagascar from roughly half-way December with severe storms as of January. All these resources state that it's mainly the East side of the island that's hit, but none really go in detail how the central or West part of the island are affected by the rainy season.
I'm well aware weather is always going to vary and be hard to predict, but I'd still like to hear some human feedback/insight.
Is it feasible to visit Madagascar in Dec-Jan, starting in the East, travelling West, and be relatively unaffected by the heaviest storms of the monsoon ? Should I expect some storm/rain showers throughout the day, or non-stop rain for days ? Limited to the east, or eventually happening on the entire island ?
(info on mobility and likely road-damage, elevated malaria/other iless risks, ... , are also appreciated)
Best Answer
The thing with climate and weather is that you can never be totally certain.
Some users report that in December it can be ok, with it really only being 'damp' and rain in the afternoon and evening, and that January 'the weather was sweet'.
So it's literally going to come down to when the rain arrives. Sometimes, like all of sub-tropical Africa, it comes early, sometimes it comes late. (source: lived in South Africa for 13 years).
Generally, the rains as the first guy mentioned do tend to be later in the afternoon. It's quite crazy - the humidity builds to an almost oppressive level, and you can feel the rain coming, and then - STORMS! :) Quite fun, but be prepared for sudden and unexpected soakings.
Pictures about "Madagascar in Dec/Jan, how bad is the rainy season?"
What is the wettest month in Madagascar?
Northeast, on the opposite coast, the stable dry climate that dominates North Madagascar during the austral winter, abruptly changes. Although the period between May and November is in fact drier than the rest of the year, it can rain at any time. The months with the heaviest rainfalls are January, February and March.What is the weather like in Madagascar in December?
December is Madagascar's hottest month with highs of 33\xb0C (92\xb0F) in the north, east and west, and still hotter days in the south as the sun climbs directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. Although hot, there's often a cool sea breeze along many of the coastal regions, reducing the humidity and providing some relief.Is December a good time to visit Madagascar?
July to December is the best time to visit Madagascar for wildlife, with baby lemurs on display from October, birds breeding between September and December, and humpback whales arriving at Ile St Marie in July and August. Rainy season in Madagascar is January to March, with cyclones likely in February.Does Madagascar have a rainy season?
In Madagascar, two seasons are recognized: a hot, rainy season from November to April and a cooler, dry season from May to October. The east coast has a sub-equatorial climate driven by easterly trade winds, along with the heaviest and most consistent rainfall, with a maximum of 3,700 mm annually.Multiple cyclones, historic drought in Madagascar cause widespread food insecurity
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