South AfricaThe weather in May in Cape Town
It's pleasantly warm in May in Cape Town with an average temperature of 22°C. Temperatures this month range from a low of 19°C to a high of 24°C. At night, you can expect temperatures between 10°C and 14°C.
Looking for great weather? May is a good time to be in Cape Town. The temperatures are nice, and there’s not too much rain.
Average temperatures and precipitation
This chart shows the average daily maximum and minimum temperatures (in degrees Celsius) and precipitation (in millimeters) in May for Cape Town, South Africa. A low precipitation value usually indicates little to no rainfall on that day in recent years, while a higher value suggests more frequent rainfall.
Temperature records
With 33°C in 2022, Cape Town reached the highest temperature in May over the past 10 years. The lowest daytime temperature in this month was 13°C in 2023. The extreme nighttime temperatures ranged from a lowest recorded value of 4°C to a highest value of 17°C.
Water temperature
The water temperature at Cape Town is 19°C this month. Refreshing if you feel like a swim.
Rainfall amount
In May, there is an average of 62 mm of precipitation, spread over 10 days. The wind speed is around 4 Bft, mostly coming from the Southwest.
Daily weather in May for Cape Town
Click on any day in May to get detailed info about the usual weather on that day in Cape Town. Check out the historical temperatures and precipitation over the past 10 years on this day.
May weather comparison
| Cape Town | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 22°C | 22°C |
| Max. temperature | 24°C | 28°C |
| Min. temperature | 10°C | -5°C |
| Total precipitation | 62 mm | 105 mm |
| Rainy days | 10 days | 14 days |
Start of May
The month of May starts in Cape Town with warm temps, averaging around 23°C during the day and nights around 13°C.
Mid May
By mid-May, daytime temps drop to around 22°C, with nights around 12°C. There’s a chance of some showers during this time, but plenty of dry and sunny days too.
End of May
By the end of May, the average daytime temperature in Cape Town is around 21°C, while nighttime temps are about 12°C. Expect regular precipitation, but if you’re lucky, you’ll also get some dry and sunny days.
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UV index
The UV index is a maximum of 6 this month. That's a moderate to high value on the intensity scale of 1 to 11. Unprotected skin can burn within 15-25 minutes.
Check out the climate of Cape Town for all months and discover the best travel time
Curious about the weather in other parts of South Africa? Check out the climate and weather for spots like Krugerpark, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch, or explore other destinations in South Africa.
Temperature charts
These charts show the average temperatures in May in Cape Town, South Africa. The temperatures are shown in degrees Celsius and are calculated based on data from the past 10 years.
Daily Temperature in May in Cape Town
Temperature in May in Cape Town over the years
Precipitation charts
These charts show the average amount of precipitation in May in Cape Town, South Africa. Precipitation is always measured as water, even when it falls as snow or hail The amount of precipitation is displayed in millimeters, while snowfall is shown in centimeters.
Daily Precipitation in May in Cape Town
Total precipitation in May in Cape Town over the years
Daily UV index in May in Cape Town
This chart shows the average daily UV index in May in Cape Town, with the UV index ranging from 0 to a maximum of 11. The bottom of the chart shows the days of the month. Based on historical data, this chart provides an idea of the daily UV radiation levels you can expect.
Weather experiences in May in Cape Town
The weather in May in Cape Town is rated 4 out of 5 stars by 1 visitor. Have you been to Cape Town? Share your weather experience to help other visitors.
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Because it rained occasionally, it was ideal for relaxing walks. Beach volleyball was a little chilly, but still possible.— This text is automatically translated to English
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Average weather in Cape Town by month
Click on a month below to see detailed weather info for Cape Town. Based on historical weather data, you can see the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and UV index for each day of the month.