What’s the climate like in South Africa?
The current climate in South Africa features temperatures ranging from a high of 28°C to a low of 19°C throughout the year. The average yearly temperature is around 24°C. At night, temperatures in the colder months average around 8°C and in the warmer months around 17°C.
The highest temperature recorded in South Africa in recent years was 42°C in March 2015. The lowest daytime temperature recorded was 11°C in August 2020.
On average, South Africa receives 605 mm of precipitation each year. For comparison, New York gets 1142 mm of precipitation annually.
The climate in South Africa is based on weather data from Cape Town. Other places, like Krugerpark, Johannesburg or Stellenbosch, might have different weather. You can check out all destinations in South Africa to get the full picture of the climate.
Best time to visit South Africa?
The best time to visit South Africa for sunny weather is January through May and July through December. During this period, you'll have nice temperatures and not too much rain, making it a great time to visit South Africa. In the other months of the year, there's too much rain or the temperature isn't ideal for a visit if you want sunny and pleasant weather.
Climate Table of South Africa
The climate table of South Africa shows the average temperatures, rainfall, and UV index per month. The table provides an overview of the average day and night temperatures in degrees Celsius, the total amount of rainfall in millimeters, the total snowfall in centimeters, and the UV index for each month. Rainfall is always measured as water, even if it's snow or hail.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
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| Temp. max (°C) | 28 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 26 |
| Temp. min (°C) | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 |
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| Precipitation (mm) | 12 | 8,8 | 37 | 36 | 62 | 136 | 95 | 81 | 65 | 23 | 26 | 23 |
| UV Index | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Click on the month name to see more weather details, like daily averages, temperatures, and precipitation for the past years in that month.
- Average yearly temperature: 24°C
- Highest temperature: 28°C in January and February
- Lowest temperature: 19°C in June, July and August
- Precipitation: 605 mm per year, averaging 50 mm per month
- Driest months: 8,8 mm in February, 12 mm in January and 23 mm in October
- Wettest months: 136 mm in June, 95 mm in July and 81 mm in August
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Weather experiences in South Africa
Good
April in South Africa was pleasant! Changeable but generally... more
Good
Lots of sunshine, all with pleasant temperatures around 20 d... more
Popular destinations in South Africa
Discover the climate of these popular destinations in South Africa.
Table of Contents
Average Temperature per Month in South Africa
This graph shows the average maximum temperatures per month in South Africa. The temperatures are shown in degrees Celsius and the average is calculated based on the recorded temperatures per month from past years.
Average Precipitation per Month in South Africa
This graph shows how much rainfall South Africa gets on average per month. Rainfall is always measured as water, even if it's snow or hail. This makes it easy to compare how much has fallen, regardless of the form of precipitation. The amount of rainfall is measured in millimeters, and the average is calculated based on the recorded rainfall per month from past years.
Average UV Index per Month in South Africa
This graph shows the average UV index per month in South Africa. The UV index indicates the intensity of ultraviolet radiation and ranges from 0 to a maximum of 11.
Yearly Temperature in South Africa
This graph shows the average yearly temperature in South Africa. The yearly temperature, expressed in degrees Celsius, is the average of all twelve monthly temperatures summed up for that year.
Total Yearly Precipitation in South Africa
This chart shows the total yearly precipitation in South Africa over the past few years. The total yearly precipitation, measured in millimeters, is the sum of all the rain that fell in the twelve months of that year.
Weather experiences in South Africa
The weather in South Africa is rated an average of 3,4 out of 5 stars by 5 visitors. Have you been to South Africa? Share your weather experience to help other visitors.
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Rainy and cloudy— This text is automatically translated to English
April in South Africa was pleasant! Changeable but generally sunny, somewhat cool with a few showers. Perfect for combining relaxation and outdoor adventure!— This text is automatically translated to English
Lots of sunshine, all with pleasant temperatures around 20 degrees. A few rainy days, but generally balanced. Other than periodic cold weather at night, no serious obstacles.— This text is automatically translated to English
Although the days were warm, the nights were cool and comfortable. Sometimes it rained, but that added to the beauty of nature.— This text is automatically translated to English
Contrary to my expectations, the evenings were quite cold. A good jacket is a must!— This text is automatically translated to English
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Average Weather in South Africa by Month
Click on a month below to see detailed weather info for South Africa. Based on historical weather data, you can see the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and UV index for each day of the month.
