Weather in Sousse in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Sousse and ranks 8th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Within Tunisia it is 1st of 3 (Tunisia in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Sousse is 13.4°C warmer by day and 9.0°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Sousse peaks at 34.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 39.4°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 22.5°C; one night in ten drops to 20.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 47.4°C (1999-08-08) and the coldest night 17.5°C (1997-08-31).

Rain in August

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 2 days with 1 mm or more, 9 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2018 with 73 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 58%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 26.9°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.2°C to 27.9°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 11.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:36 and sets about 19:08 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 14%.

Is August a good time to visit Sousse?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days - though the heat can be intense at midday. The best months for Sousse on our scoring are June, May, September; months averaging 25°C or more: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Plan your day around the heat

The heat is persistent rather than an occasional spell: 96% of August days reach 30°C, and the hottest days can reach 39.4°C or more. Keep longer walks and active plans for the morning, then leave the middle of the day for shade, indoor breaks or a rest. Loose, lightweight clothing, sun protection and water are everyday essentials. Air conditioning is a sensible priority when choosing accommodation, especially if warm bedrooms affect your sleep. Evenings offer some relief from the daytime peak, but with average night lows of 22.5°C, do not expect reliably cool conditions after dark. August is a better fit for heat lovers than travellers wanting active days outdoors.

Warm swimming water and mostly dry days

The sea is a strong reason to choose August: at an average of 26.9°C, it is warm enough for comfortable swimming rather than a bracing dip. It may not feel particularly cooling when the air is hot, though, so swimming should not replace breaks from the sun. With about 11.5 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of scope to enjoy the water outside the strongest midday heat. Rain is usually a minor concern, with about 2 rainy days during the month, but a shower remains possible. Pack mainly for hot, bright conditions and favour somewhere with easy access to shade.