From north to south, more than 1,600 km separate the two ends of the island of Madagascar. Over this distance, the island’s landscape varies and its climate changes with it. Madagascar is an island of nearly 587,000 km² covered with forests, deserts, mountains, plateaus, plains and beaches. In this article, we take a look at the climate in Madagascar. Because the geographical characteristics vary from one region to another, you can quickly find yourself caught off guard by the vagaries of the weather.

North:

The north of the island is geographically characterised by imposing mountain ranges (Tsaratanana massif, Amber Mountain), plateaus and plains (coastal plains, Ankarana Tsingy plain). The main towns in the area are Andapa, Sambava, Bealanana, Ambanja, Andoany, Ambilobe, and Antsiranana (or Diego Suarez). Temperatures are quite high (between 15° and 30°) and there are two seasons: the hot season (May to October) and the wet season (November to April). In the city at the tip of the island, Antsirananana, you will find the Red Tsingy and an island known as ‘Nosy Lonjo’ in Malagasy. The city is famous for its bay (about 20 km long with a natural depth of up to 50 m, ideal for scuba diving) and for having been a former French naval base during the colonial era. From May to October, the trade winds blow strongly with constant winds of 20 to 35 knots, which is a distinctive feature of the area.

Northwest:

The northwest of the island consists mainly of plains covered with thickets and dry vegetation. The climate is hot, the sun is fierce, temperatures are high (around 25°C) and the wet season is short. The most popular town in the area is Mahajunga, a coastal town overlooking the Mozambique Channel. The area is home to many baobab trees. The weather in north-western Madagascar is one of the least changeable on the island. The weather forecast is generally as follows: it is hot with little rainfall.

North-east:

The north-east of the island is characterised by a rugged landscape with abundant hills and lush vegetation. This is the region of the island with the most endemic plants. The climate is humid and hot, alternating between dry and rainy seasons. The region is highly exposed to tropical storms, and from January to May it is usually hit by cyclones coming from the high seas of the Indian Ocean. The well-known towns in the area are: Maroantsetra, Mananara, Soanierana Ivongo, Fenerive East, Toamasina and Brikaville.

East:

The east of the island consists of forests and dense vegetation spread across plains and hills. The weather is hot and dry with frequent showers due to the coastal proximity, and the soil is clayey and sandy. The east is naturally crossed by numerous rivers. The Pangalana Canal, a colonial construction dating from 1896, connects Toamasina in the north and Farafangana in the south. The traveller’s tree grows abundantly here. The towns in the east of Madagascar are: Mahanoro, Mananjary, Manakara and Farafangana (coastal towns).

West:

The west of the island consists of rocky landscapes mixed with expanses of primary forest. This area is home to wild lemurs and a protected area listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, namely the Tsingy de Bemahara. In addition, its proximity to the African continent makes this part of the territory a windless area with a dry season and a rainy season: the type of precipitation and soil makes it extremely muddy after the rains.

North-central region:

The north-central region of Madagascar consists of the island’s high plateaus. The vegetation consists of shrubs and grasslands. The arable land is mainly rice fields. The weather is cooler than in the rest of the island. There is a rainy season between January and May, a hot season from September to January, and a cool season from May to September. The most famous city in the region is the capital, Antananarivo. This main city is crossed by the Ikopa River, which provides food and water during periods of intense heat.

Centre:

The centre of the island consists of hills and plains. The area is home to Madagascar’s highest city, Antsirabe, at 1,500 metres, and other cities such as Fadrina. Temperatures here are low for Madagascar, ranging between 11°C and 14°C. The region is popular for its skilled craftsmen and dairy products, which supply the whole island.

The seasons in this area are divided into dry season, rainy season and cold season. The vegetation is known to be fairly uniform throughout the region. Far from the Madagascan coast, this part of the island is relatively untouched by the tropical storms and cyclones that hit Madagascar every year.

South-central region:

The south-central region of Madagascar is an area with numerous plains and rugged terrain. The climate is fairly dry and hot. The vegetation is known for its dry grass pastures and areas devoid of vegetation.

The best-known towns in the south-central region are Fianarantsoa and Ambositra.

In terms of climate, the region offers no meteorological surprises, with no wind or excessive rain. It is quite warm, with average temperatures between 18°C and 20°C. All kinds of vegetables are grown in the region.

South-west:

The south-west of the island is a hot area of Madagascar. Temperatures range from 22°C to 28°C. The main towns in the region are Tulear, Morondava, etc. The famous Avenue of the Baobabs is located in the Morondava area. Close to the African coast, the area has an ideal climate for water sports such as jet skiing. Rainfall occurs from January to July; outside these periods, the climate is arid. The region features coastal plains.

South-east:

Home to the towns of Farafangana, Manakary and Mananary, the south-east of Madagascar is an extremely hot area. The coastline overlooks the Indian Ocean and can be very rough from January to May. The vegetation is desert-like, consisting mainly of cactus forests. The climate is very hot from January to December, with rainfall only coming from tropical storms. Geographically, the landscape is flat, with very little relief visible in the area.

South:

The southern tip of Madagascar is the hottest part of the island. The area is known for its mountain ranges and various rare minerals. Rain is quite rare, and the vegetation is dry. The beaches are quite deep with fine sand, azure water, and coral reefs. Zebu cattle are traditionally raised in the region, with several thousand head. The altitude of the region is low, ranging from 8 to 21 metres above sea level.