Climate

Climate of Socotra, determined by summer monsoon, is an important topic and  this depends on your interest.

The climate is strongly influenced by both the south-west and north-east monsoons. The south-west monsoons (April to October) bring extremely strong, hot and dry winds from Africa. There is little precipitation and extreme desiccation during these months. The north-east monsoons, not so strong as in the summer, begin in November and last until March.

Mean annual rainfall varies from about 150 mm on the costal plains to more than 1,000mm in the mountains. Rainfall is sporadic and there are some years when no rain falls. Nocturnal dew is far more important to the water supply than monsoonal rain, especially in the high altitude mountain belt. The mountainous cloud zone provides ground water and running water for the entire island. The dew and mist is channeled into small rooks and rivulets that support aquatic fauna and may flow the entire way from the mountains to the sea in winter.

The climate of Socotra is classified in the Köppen climate classification as BWh and BSh, meaning a tropical desert climate and semi-desert climate with a mean annual temperature over 18 °C (64 °F). Mean average tempertures range from 27º to 37ºC maximum and 17º to 26ºC minimum along the coastal plain. It is substantially cooler in the Haghier Mountains.

References: ”Socotra Island xeric shrublands”. http://www.eoearth.org/article/Socotra_Island_xeric_shrublands

Thus, nature enthusiasts should go from September to end of April, not later then mid May, before south-west monsoon starts to blow. Mid November to March offers the best weather with cool temperature and little or no rain (occasional showers); April and May are hot and daytime temperature can rise up to 40°C.

Extremely strong, hot and dry winds affect the island in June, July and August; ships cannot land due to high waves. The island  is accessible only by plane and many inhabitants leave for the mainland, Gulf countries or at least to the central mountains for this period. Nevertheless, during this time of the year, surfing and kitesurfing activity can be arranged in the south-east and south-west of the island. 

Hiking and trekking on the mountains and wadi is possible any time of the year.

Socotra weather patterns for tourists travel 

September: Coming out of the windy season, and still somewhat windy on the north coast. The sea is just navigable; usually no rain and the temperature still quite warm.

October: Wind now on shore, (usually just a breeze) from the North East, usually bringing some rains to the island, but maybe only a few days of intermittent heavy and scattered showers and most parts of the island get the effects of this rain; the temperature is cooling down, but still warm.

November to March: These are the pleasant months ths. There can still be rain in November, even into December, but usually only scattered and not very frequent. The sea begins to calm down and travel in small boats is possible. On the Hagghier Mountains everything is green so there has been a good rain up there, and also behind the mountains.  But on the top of the mountains, especially at Scant at this time, the temperature can be very cold with frosty mornings!  At mid March the midday temperature can be 30 degrees centigrade, with developing humidity.

April/May:  April and May are quite hot, up to 38 degrees near the coasts, and still the weather is coming gently from the north east. But it is quite a lot cooler on the top of the mountain range and at Scant you would still need a covering at night to keep warm, but probably not a sleeping bag. These are still good months to visit the island.

June/July/ August: These are the very windy months on the north coast especially. The south coast is fairly calm at the same time. The winds blow in Hadibo day and night for three months at about 80 kph, only slacking off most days for an hour or two in the afternoon to perhaps 60kph. Gusts have been recorded at the port area, Howlaf, at 180kph.  Schools close and fishing stops, except for a couple of places such as Deleisha, but all round the island fishing is limited by the strong ocean currents at this time of the year.  It is not really a time for normal  tourism except for surfing and trekking. In the north-western part of Socotra from July to August one can see big turtles crawling at night on deserted sandy beaches to lay eggs. The weather is still calm in the middle of the island and the south, so it is possible to make tours on the other coast-side of the island (the south-west). There are no rains accompanying these winds. The Boeing aircraft land and take off safely throughout this period, because the airstrip is straight up and down the wind direction allowing planes land and take off straight into the wind.