Climate & Weather Guide · SudanClimate & Weather Guide in Sudan
Climate zones, seasonal temperatures, rainfall patterns, and best travel times
Sudan has an extremely hot, arid-to-seasonally wet climate that changes strongly from north to south. The north is dominated by desert conditions with very low rainfall, while central areas shift into semi-arid steppe, and the far south becomes more tropical with a short rainy season. National average annual temperatures are high, roughly 23°C to 32°C, and rainfall increases from about 100 mm in the north to 700–1200 mm in the south. For residents and expats, the main practical issues are intense heat, long dry periods, dust, and limited cooling in many inland areas. The Red Sea coast is somewhat moderated by maritime influence, but most of the country remains hot and dry for much of the year.
Summer Average
30-42°C
Winter Average
15-28°C
Climate Types
Desert and Semi-arid steppe and Tropical savanna
100-1200 mm
3,000-3,800 hrs/yr
20-55%
Regional Climate Variations
Northern Desert Belt
This region covers much of northern Sudan and is dominated by true desert climate with extremely low rainfall and very high evaporation. Summers are intensely hot, with long periods above 40°C in inland areas, while winters are milder but still warm by global standards. Rain is rare and unreliable, and dust storms can be a recurring nuisance. For expats, the climate is most comfortable only if reliable cooling, shade, and water access are available.
Blisteringly hot, very dry, and sun-drenched for most of the year, with a harsh desert feel and large day-night temperature swings.
Nile Corridor and Central Plains
The Nile corridor and adjoining central plains form a transition zone between the desert north and the wetter south. Climate conditions are semi-arid, with a short rainy season and long dry months, and temperatures remain high through most of the year. This is where seasonal changes in rainfall are most noticeable, but the overall environment is still hot and dry. Residents often find the climate more manageable than the far north, though heat stress and water scarcity remain important considerations.
Hot steppe conditions with a short wet season, long dry stretches, and a generally austere, sun-exposed environment.
Eastern Red Sea Coast
Sudan’s Red Sea coast is influenced by maritime air, which makes it somewhat less extreme than the inland desert, although it remains hot and dry overall. Humidity is higher near the coast, and summer heat can feel more oppressive because of the moisture in the air. Rainfall is still limited, but sea breezes provide some relief compared with the interior. For expats, this region can feel more livable than the inland north, especially if proximity to the sea is valued.
Coastal heat with higher humidity, somewhat moderated by the sea but still very warm and mostly dry.
Southern Savannah Zone
The far south of Sudan has the wettest climate in the country, with tropical savanna conditions and a distinct rainy season. Rainfall is much more dependable here than in the rest of Sudan, commonly reaching 700–1200 mm per year, and the landscape is greener and more seasonal. Temperatures are still high, but the increased cloud cover and rainfall make the climate less harsh than in the north. This is the most suitable zone for people seeking a greener environment, though flooding and seasonal mud can be issues during the wet months.
Hot, humid in the wet season, and noticeably greener, with a strong contrast between dry months and a much livelier rainy season.
Sudan is a large and climatically diverse country, so residents encounter everything from extreme desert heat in the north to tropical savanna conditions in the south. For expats, the most comfortable areas are usually the coastal and southern zones, while inland northern areas are best suited to people who can handle intense heat, dryness, and long periods without rain.
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