South Africa weather

Read our complete guide to the weather in South Africa.

Usually in March
- 24
- 14
- 9
Weather by month
Now Today
- 23
- 7
5-day forecast

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular destinations in South Africa. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

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Destination

Recommended for South Africa

The weather guide for South Africa (Cape Town) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

When is the best time to go to South Africa?

The best time to go to South Africa (Cape Town) is January, February, November and December based on the following average weather conditions.

Maximum daytime temperature = 22 - 30°C [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more [remove]

Change the criteria to reflect your weather preferences.

5
Jan
5
Feb
4.5
Mar
4
Apr
2.5
May
1.5
Jun
1.5
Jul
1.5
Aug
2.5
Sep
4
Oct
5
Nov
5
Dec

Change criteria

Max Day Temperature (°C)

25
Jan
25
Feb
24
Mar
22
Apr
19
May
17
Jun
17
Jul
17
Aug
18
Sep
20
Oct
22
Nov
24
Dec

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

11
Jan
10
Feb
9
Mar
7
Apr
6
May
5
Jun
6
Jul
7
Aug
7
Sep
9
Oct
10
Nov
11
Dec

Best time to go for the weather

Destination

Daytime temperature

Sunshine hours

Sea temperature

Monthly rainfall

Days with some rain

Heat & humidity

Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)

South Africa weather overview

A pleasant climate is a major asset in South Africa's drive to distance itself from past controversy and place itself firmly on the world tourism map.

If travelling to South Africa, remember that, because it lies south of the equator, its seasons are the opposite to those of North America and Europe.

Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa © Derejeb - Fotolia.com

Only the low-lying areas in the north, along the borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have a tropical climate with related high temperatures and humidity.

In the south, the coastal lowlands around Cape Town have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers (September to May) and warm, rainy winters.

The eastern coastlands and the low veld of Durban and Natal have a subtropical climate with most rainfall falling between October and April, which is also the period of highest temperatures and humidity.

The western coastal strip has a cold sea current which keeps temperatures cool and generates plenty of low cloud and fog but almost no rain.

In the eastern interior or high veld (where Johannesburg and Pretoria are situated), summers are rainy and warm and winter days are mild although temperatures can drop dramatically at night.

The low humidity and high number of sunshine hours produce a pleasant and healthy climate all year.

The western interior is mostly desert or semi-desert and has a hot, sunny climate. What rain there is falls between November and April.

What to pack for South Africa weather

Take light clothing and be prepared for rain if visiting between September and May. Pack warmer wear if travelling during their winter.

More about South Africa

Which is the hottest month in South Africa?

The hottest time of year in Cape Town, South Africa is normally February. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 25°C with low heat and humidity.

Which month has the most rain in South Africa?

In terms of rainfall, June is usually the wettest month in Cape Town, South Africa with 189mm on average. There are normally 13 days in June with some rain.

When is it sunniest in South Africa?

The sunniest time of year in Cape Town, South Africa is normally February with bright sunshine on average for 77% of daylight hours; that's 10 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in South Africa?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Cape Town, South Africa in February when the water temperature reaches 20°C.

What is the flight time to South Africa from the UK?

The flight time to South Africa from the UK is typically 11 to 12 hours.

What is the time difference between South Africa and the UK?

The time difference between South Africa and the UK is GMT+2 hours.

What is the main language spoken in South Africa?

The main languages spoken in South Africa are Zulu, Xhosa and English.

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What is the currency in South Africa?

The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR).

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Which plugs are used in South Africa?

South Africa uses electrical plug type C + M + N (230 Volts).

Which side of the road do they drive on in South Africa?

They drive on the left side of the road in South Africa.

Compare South Africa weather with the USA

Below the South Africa weather chart shows average maximum daytime temperature for South Africa (Cape Town) and the USA (Washington).

Maximum daytime temperature (°C)

South Africa (Cape Town)

USA (Washington)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec