Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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The climate of Cape Town is Mediterranean, with very mild, rainy winters and warm to hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in the South African Republic, on the southwest coast.
In summer, temperatures are not excessively high because of the influence of the ocean, though sometimes a hot and dry wind called Berg, able to raise the temperature to around 35 °C (95 °F), blows from the mountains. On the contrary, a strong southern breeze called Cape Doctor often blows in summer, cooling and cleaning the air. Above the top of Table Mountain, the flat-topped mountain overlooking the city, about a thousand meters (3,300 feet) high, a layer of clouds often forms, which the city's inhabitants call in a colloquial manner "tablecloth".
Even though the winter is mild, there can be some cold and windy days. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature can drop to around freezing. At other times, the warm wind from the northern mountains can blow in this season as well, so much so that the temperature can reach 30 °C (86 °F) even in winter.
Cape Town - Climate data
The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 13.0 °C (55.3 °F), that of the warmest month (February) is of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.5 | 28 | 22.2 | 62 | 82 | 72 |
| February | 16.4 | 28.4 | 22.4 | 62 | 83 | 72.3 |
| March | 14.9 | 27 | 21 | 59 | 81 | 69.7 |
| April | 12 | 24.7 | 18.4 | 54 | 76 | 65 |
| May | 10.1 | 21.7 | 15.9 | 50 | 71 | 60.6 |
| June | 7.8 | 19.1 | 13.5 | 46 | 66 | 56.3 |
| July | 7.2 | 18.7 | 13 | 45 | 66 | 55.3 |
| August | 7.7 | 19.1 | 13.4 | 46 | 66 | 56.1 |
| September | 9.2 | 20.5 | 14.9 | 49 | 69 | 58.8 |
| October | 11.3 | 23.3 | 17.3 | 52 | 74 | 63.1 |
| November | 13.3 | 24.6 | 19 | 56 | 76 | 66.2 |
| December | 15.4 | 26.7 | 21.1 | 60 | 80 | 70 |
| Year | 11.8 | 23.5 | 17.6 | 53.2 | 74.2 | 63.5 |
Precipitation amounts to 505 millimeters (19.9 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 8 mm (0.3 in) in the driest month (February) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest ones (May, July) Here is the average precipitation.
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 0.5 | 2 |
| February | 8 | 0.3 | 2 |
| March | 17 | 0.7 | 3 |
| April | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
| May | 85 | 3.3 | 9 |
| June | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
| July | 85 | 3.3 | 10 |
| August | 70 | 2.8 | 10 |
| September | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
| October | 30 | 1.2 | 5 |
| November | 17 | 0.7 | 3 |
| December | 11 | 0.4 | 2 |
| Year | 505 | 19.9 | 68 |
The sea temperature ranges from 15 °C (59 °F) in July, August to 19.5 °C (67 °F) in January, February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) | January | 19.5 | 67 | February | 19.5 | 67 | March | 18.5 | 66 | April | 17.5 | 63 | May | 16.5 | 62 | June | 15.5 | 60 | July | 15 | 59 | August | 15 | 59 | September | 15.5 | 60 | October | 16 | 61 | November | 17 | 63 | December | 18.5 | 65 | Year | 17 | 62.5 |
|---|
There are on average around 3095 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
| Month | Average | Total | January | 11 | 340 | February | 10.5 | 295 | March | 9.5 | 295 | April | 8 | 235 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 6 | 175 | July | 6 | 195 | August | 7 | 210 | September | 7.5 | 225 | October | 9 | 280 | November | 10.5 | 310 | December | 11 | 335 | Year | 8.5 | 3095 |
|---|
Cape Town - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)
January is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.8 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 12 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 2 days.The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.February, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.4 °C (61.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in February 2015.On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in February 2000.Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 2 days.The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) in March 2002.On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in March 2015.Precipitation amounts to 17 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 3 days.The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in April 2001.On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in April 2012.Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.1 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) in May 1991.On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.6 °C (92.5 °F) in May 1996.Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.8 °C (46.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 1999.On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in June 1999.Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in July 1997.On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30.3 °C (86.5 °F) in July 2017.Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) in August 2003.On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in August 1998.Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in September 1998.On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in September 1997.Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (74 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in October 2000.On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in October 2018.Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in November 1996.On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in November 2000.Precipitation amounts to 17 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 3 days.The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in December 2011.On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 39.1 °C (102.4 °F) in December 2015.Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.© Copyright Climatestotravel.com.
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FAQs
What is the rainy month in Cape Town? ›
The rainiest months in Cape Town are May to August, and Johannesburg receives most of its rain in summer.
What is the average rainfall in Cape Town? ›Cape Town - Climate data
Here are the average temperatures. Precipitation amounts to 505 millimeters (19.9 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 8 mm (0.3 in) in the driest month (February) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest ones (May, July) Here is the average precipitation.
In the summer months, December to February, the temperature ranges from around 20-26°C (68-78°F) during the day and 13-18°C (55-64°F) during the night. In the winter months, June to August, the temperature ranges from around 12-17°C (54-62°F) during the day and 4-8°C (39-46°F) during the night.
What is the average monthly temperature and rainfall in South Africa? ›Mean annual temperature for South Africa as a whole is 17.5℃, with average monthly temperatures ranging between 22°C (December, January) and 11°C (June, July). Annual precipitation is 469.9 mm, with highest rainfall occurring November to March, coupled with extremely low precipitation occurring between June to August.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Town? ›The rain is, however, unevenly dispersed. The mountains of the south-western Cape receive an annual average of 1 000mm (40 inches) of rain, making them far wetter than the lower areas of the region which average between 250 and 650mm (9 and 25 inches) a year.
Which month is the most rainy? ›According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, April is actually the fifth wettest month in the U.S. June is the wettest month of the year on average and May 2015 was the wettest month in the history of the United States.
Which part of South Africa is the rainiest? ›South Africa's highest rainfall occurs in the eastern and southern mountains such as the Drakensberg, from Limpopo, through Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal to the northern parts of the Eastern Cape.
Where does it rain the most in South Africa? ›Overall, rainfall is greatest in the east and gradually decreases westward, with some semi-desert areas along the western edge of South Africa. For most of the country, rain falls mainly in the summer months with brief afternoon thunderstorms.
Does it rain a lot in South Africa? ›South Africa is a relatively dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 464 mm. While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is generally a summer-rainfall region.
Is it sunny or rainy in Cape Town? ›Weather in Cape Town, South Africa
Light rain. Partly cloudy.
Does Cape Town have 4 seasons? ›
Cape Town, in particular, is known for gale-force winds. Table Mountain also has an impact on the weather in different parts of the city. One side of the mountain may be sunny, while the other is rainy. Be ready to enjoy all four seasons in one day (i.e. pack sunscreen and a scarf).
Is Cape Town a dry climate? ›The Cape Town region experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and winter rainfall. The Western Cape Water Supply System relies almost entirely on rainfall, which is captured and stored in six major dams situated in mountainous areas.
How often does it rain in Cape Town South Africa? ›Cape Town has an average of 103 rainy days per year. The months of June and August are the ones with the most rainy days, on average, each have more than 13 days of rain. While February, March and November are the months with fewer days of rain, on average less than 5 days of rain per month.
How long is the rainy season in South Africa? ›In southern Africa, the rainy season typically lasts from October to April and reaches maximum strength between November and March. Most locations receive more than 75% of their annual precipitation during this 7month period, with some parts in the northwest receiving more than 90% of their total annual rainfall.
What is the hottest month in Cape Town? ›The hottest season / summer takes place in January, February, March and December. Which is the warmest month in Cape Town? February has an average maximum temperature of 28°C (82°F) and is the warmest month of the year.
What is the wettest month in Cape Town Africa? ›June: the wettest month of the year. July: a rainy month; nights can be cold.
What is the best month to go to Cape Town? ›December to March is the best time for beaches and sunny weather. If you want to head to the beach, the best time to visit Cape Town is in the summer (December to March). This is when you'll find warm weather, clear skies and long days, creating the perfect mix for sun-seekers.
What is the wettest month in Cape Town South Africa? ›The rainy period of the year lasts for 8.8 months, from March 9 to December 4, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 0.5 inches. The month with the most rain in Cape Town is June, with an average rainfall of 2.9 inches. The rainless period of the year lasts for 3.2 months, from December 4 to March 9.
What is the highest month of rain in Cape Town? ›The month of June experiences the highest amount of precipitation, with an average value of 112 mm | 4.4 inch.