Hargeisa has a semi-arid climate with two rainy seasons. The city sits at about 1,300 metres elevation, which moderates the heat — daytime temperatures in the dry season typically reach 25–32°C, making it considerably more comfortable than the coast at Berbera.
October to March is the best time to visit. The temperatures are pleasant, the roads to the interior are dry, and the drive to Laas Geel is straightforward. This is also the better season for visiting the livestock market, which can be punishing in full heat.
April and May bring the heavier of the two rainy seasons (Gu). Roads in rural areas can become difficult and the Laas Geel road is occasionally impassable after heavy rain.
July is worth considering if the Hargeisa International Book Fair is a draw — it attracts writers and intellectuals from across the Horn of Africa and the diaspora and gives the city a different energy for a week.
The Jilaal dry season (December–March) is the main window for overland travel in Somaliland generally.