Weather in Tripoli

Planning a trip or simply interested in the weather in Tripoli? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, including detailed forecasts and visual charts to help you be ready for whatever nature has in store.

The climate in Tripoli is characterised as subtropical Mediterranean with distinct arid features. This means the city enjoys a large number of sunny days throughout the year, with hot, dry summers and mild, relatively humid winters. Overall, the weather here is quite predictable, making it easy to plan a trip at any time of the year, depending on your temperature preferences.

There are two clearly defined main seasons in Tripoli. The summer months, from June to September, are very hot and practically devoid of rainfall. The average maximum temperature during this period often exceeds 30°C. Winter, from December to February, is significantly milder, with average temperatures around 14-16°C, and this is when the main, albeit small, portion of annual precipitation falls. Spring and autumn are pleasant transitional seasons with comfortable temperatures and minimal rain.

One of the key features of the weather in Tripoli is the very low level of precipitation throughout most of the year. The summer months, from May to September, are almost completely dry, making them ideal for sun lovers. A small number of rainy days occur mainly between October and March, but even then, precipitation is usually insignificant.

The annual temperature trend in Tripoli demonstrates distinct seasonal changes characteristic of its climate. The hottest month of the year is August, when the average air temperature reaches 28.4°C, and daytime highs regularly rise to 31.9°C and above. Conversely, the coolest month is considered January, with an average temperature of about 14.2°C; at this time, night temperatures can drop on average to 11.6°C. Thus, the average annual temperature amplitude in the city is quite noticeable, offering diverse conditions throughout the year.

The summer period in Tripoli, lasting from June to September, is distinguished by consistently hot and predominantly dry weather. Average daytime temperatures in these months range from 25.7°C in June to peak values in August (28.4°C). Maximum temperatures at the height of summer often exceed 30-32°C, creating conditions for real heat, especially considering the almost complete absence of precipitation. Nights also remain very warm, with minimum temperatures rarely dropping below 21.9°C in June and 24.8°C in August. Winter, covering the period from December to February, brings substantial, but not drastic, cooling. Average temperatures in the winter months fluctuate in the range of 14-16°C (for example, 14.2°C in January, 15.8°C in December), with daytime highs around 16-18°C and nighttime lows in the region of 11-13°C, making winter mild and relatively comfortable.

Diurnal temperature fluctuations in Tripoli are moderate throughout most of the year. The difference between the maximum daytime and minimum nighttime temperature is usually from 5°C (for example, in January the difference is 16.8°C - 11.6°C = 5.2°C) to approximately 8°C (for example, in July 31.2°C - 23.7°C = 7.5°C). This means that even on the hottest summer days, evenings bring some relief, and winter nights can be quite fresh, but usually without freezing temperatures. The transitional seasons – spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) – delight with particularly pleasant weather with comfortable temperatures: in spring, average values gradually rise from 16.3°C in March to 21.9°C in May, and in autumn they smoothly decrease from 23.6°C in October to 19.6°C in November.

In Tripoli, there is a very clear division of the year into dry and relatively wet seasons, although the total amount of precipitation throughout the year is extremely small. The main part of precipitation, predominantly in the form of rain, falls during the winter months, while summer is characterised by its almost complete absence.

The dry season in Tripoli lasts a very long time, covering the period from March to September. During these months, rainfall is minimal or non-existent. The absolutely dry months, when not a drop of rain falls and not a single rainy day is recorded, are June, July, and August. In March, April, May, and September, there is also practically no precipitation (0 mm), and the number of rainy days ranges from one (in May) to three (in March and September). This makes the summer and adjacent spring-autumn months ideal for those who prefer sunny weather without rain.

The relatively "wet" season falls on the period from October to February. However, even in these months, the amount of precipitation remains very low. The "rainiest" month is considered December, when an average of 2 mm of precipitation falls, and there are about 8 rainy days. January also brings about 1 mm of precipitation and has 8 days with rain. In February, October, and November, 1 mm of precipitation falls, with about 6 rainy days recorded. Given the low millimetre values even on "rainy" days, precipitation is likely to be light rain or drizzle rather than heavy downpours. Snow is uncharacteristic for Tripoli.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Tripoli, it is important to consider its Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, slightly more humid winters. During the summer months (June-September), when the average maximum temperature often exceeds 30-32°C and rainfall is practically absent, your wardrobe should consist of light, breathable clothing. Give preference to natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. Do not forget sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen with a high SPF – the sun here is very active. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as you will likely be walking a lot while exploring the city.

In the winter months (December-February), the weather in Tripoli becomes significantly cooler, with average temperatures around 14-16°C and nighttime minimums around 11-13°C. Although winter is considered the season with the most precipitation, it is extremely insignificant (1-2 mm per month). Nevertheless, a light jacket or sweater, as well as trousers and closed shoes, will be very useful, especially for evening walks. The principle of layering in clothing is your best friend at this time of year, allowing you to adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. A compact umbrella or a light waterproof windbreaker may come in handy in case of rare rain, but they are not an essential item.

In spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November), the weather in Tripoli is most comfortable, with pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall. For these transitional seasons, clothing similar to winter wear is suitable, but perhaps slightly lighter. Jeans or light trousers, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and a light jacket or cardigan will form the basis of your wardrobe. Regardless of the season, always carry a bottle of water to avoid dehydration, especially during the hot months.