The climate of Madagascar

Madagascar has a tropical climate divided into rainy (October - March) and dry seasons (April - September).

In the Highlands: temperatures and rainfall are influenced by altitude. In June, the night-time temperature can drop to freezing in Antsirabe. Storms are frequent in Summer.

In the East: South-west trade winds drop their moisture on the eastern mountain slopes and blow hot and dry in the west. North-west "monsoon" air currents bring heavy rain in the summer, decreasing southward so that the rainfall in Tolagnaro is half that of Toamasina. The east of Madagascar frequently suffers from cyclones during February and March and these may hit other areas, particularly in the north but also the west. The North-west region (Sambirano) which includes the island of Nosy Be has a micro-climate with frequent heavy rain alternating with clear skies such as in the East.

In the West: Rainfall decreases from the North to south.

In the South: It is the driest part of Madagascar.