Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Average midday temperatures in the dry season are 25ºC (77°F) in the highlands and
30ºC (86°F) on the coast. These statistics are misleading, however, since in June the night-
time temperature can drop to near freezing in the highlands and it is cool in the south.
The winter daytime temperatures are very pleasant, and the hot summer season is usually
tempered by cool breezes on the coast.
Madagascar frequently suffers from cyclones, especially during February and March,
and primarily down the east coast (see the box below).
The map and chart in this section give easy reference to the driest and wettest months
and regions, but remember: even in the rainiest months there will be sunny intervals, and
inthedriesttheremaybeheavyshowers.FormoreadviceonthebestmonthstovisitMad-
agascar see
When to visit
,
Chapter 4
.
CLIMATIC REGIONS
West
Rainfall decreases from north to south, with day/night temperatures more variable in
thesouth.ThezoneisusuallyquitedryfromMaytomid-December.Annualrainfallranges
from 36cm in Toliara to 152cm in Mahajanga.
Central
Both temperature and rainfall are influenced by altitude. Day/night temperatures
in Antananarivo vary by 14°C. The major rainy season usually starts at the end of Novem-
ber. Antsirabe has the highest average annual rainfall (140cm) in this zone.
East
Inthenortheastandcentralareasrarelydoesaweekpasswithoutrain;butdrier,more
settled weather prevails in the southeast. Reasonably dry months: May and September-
November. April, December and January are also good times to visit. The risk of torrential
rain and cyclones is highest in February and March. Annual rainfall ranges from 152cm in
Taolagnaro to 410cm in Maroantsetra.
CYCLONES
Daniel Austin
Madagascar has always suffered from cyclones, which generally receive scant atten-
tion from the English-speaking media. In the decade to 2010 a total of 23 cyclones
made landfall on the island, with varying levels of destruction.
InMay2003alatecyclone,
Manou
,destroyedalmostallthebuildingsinVatoman-
dry and Brickaville, claiming 89 lives. The following year
Elita
struck in the north-
west then crossed the country twice, killing 33, then barely a month later Madagascar
was struck near Antalaha by
Gafilo
, the most intense cyclone to form in the Indian
