Victoria Falls Weather & Climate Guide: Year-Round Patterns

Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya ("The Smoke That Thunders"), operates on a dramatic seasonal cycle dictated by the Zambezi River. Located at an altitude of approximately 900 meters (3,000 feet) on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the region experiences a subtropical climate defined by two primary seasons: a hot, rainy summer and a mild, dry winter.

Seasonal Weather Patterns

The Dry Season (May to October)

This is a period of transition from cool, crisp air to intense heat.

• Winter (May to August): Characterized by clear sapphire skies and virtually zero rainfall. Days are pleasantly warm at 25-27 °C (77-81 °F), but the absence of cloud cover causes temperatures to plummet at night, often reaching 7-10 °C (45-50 °F) and occasionally approaching freezing.
• Spring (September to October): Often called "Suicide Month" by locals due to the escalating heat and rising humidity. Temperatures frequently soar above 40 °C (104 °F). The landscape becomes parched and dust-heavy, making it the peak time for wildlife viewing as animals gather at the remaining river pools.

The Wet Season (November to April)

Known as the "Green Season," the arrival of rains in November is heralded by spectacular electrical storms.

• Rainfall: Precipitation typically occurs as intense afternoon thundershowers that clear quickly, rather than prolonged grey days. January and February are the wettest months.
• Humidity: Humidity climbs significantly during this period, making the temperatures feel heavier and more tropical. The average daytime high settles around 30 °C (86 °F).

The "Rainforest" Microclimate

While the surrounding region is largely savanna, a permanent microclimate exists directly across from the falls. The constant spray—which can rise 400 meters into the air and be seen from 50 kilometers away—creates a localized rainforest. Here, it "rains" 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This persistent moisture supports a dense ecosystem of mahogany and ebony trees and keeps temperatures in the immediate vicinity slightly cooler than the surrounding bushveld.

The Zambezi River Cycle

The most critical climate factor is the "flood pulse." Because the Zambezi's catchment area is far upstream in Angola and Zambia, there is a two-month lag between the local rains and the river's peak.

• Peak Flow (March to May): The falls are a thundering wall of white water. The spray is so dense that visibility is often limited to a few meters, and the sound is deafening.
• Low Water (October to December): The river flow drops to about 10% of its peak. Sections of the falls, particularly on the Zambian side, may dry up entirely, revealing the ancient basalt rock face.

Specific Weather Phenomena

One of the area's most famous phenomena is the Lunar Rainbow or "Moonbow." During the high-water months (April to June), the full moon reflects off the massive spray plume, creating a distinct white rainbow visible at night. Historically, travelers should be aware of increasing variability; recent years have seen more frequent and intense "hot droughts," where October temperatures reach record highs before the delayed onset of the rainy season.

What the Weather Feels Like

Locals adapt to the daily temperature swing by embracing the "safari rhythm": activity at dawn and dusk with a midday siesta to avoid the relentless African sun. Beyond the numbers, the weather here is physical; in peak flood, the air feels heavy with mist and vibration, while in the dry season, it feels sharp and aromatic with the scent of wild sage and sun-baked earth.