Best time to visit Cape Town
The best time to visit Cape town is during summer, from December through March, with an average daytime high temperature of 28°C (82°F).
Cape Town is regarded as a year-round destination.
Cape Town weather
Cape Town experiences a temperate climate with mild, rainy winters and warm to hot, sunny summers when the famous (but often fierce) southeasterly wind known as ‘Cape Doctor’ brings a welcome breeze.
Which is the hottest month in Cape Town?
The hottest month in Cape Town is normally February, with an average high temperature of 28°C (82°F), with moderate heat and humidity, and a low of 16°C (60°F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature may climb to around 35°C (95°F).
The warm summer season lasts from early-December to late-March, with an average daily high temperature above 27°C (80°F).
Which is the coldest month in Cape Town?
The coldest month of the year at Cape Town is July, with an average high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 7°C (44°F).
The cooler season lasts from late-May to mid-September, with an average daily high temperature below 18°C (64°F).
Which is the sunniest month in Cape Town?
The sunniest time of year in Cape Town is usually February with an average of 10.5 hours of sunshine per day; that's on average 79% of daylight hours.
When is the sea warmest in Cape Town?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Cape Town in February when the water temperature averages 19°C (66°F), which is very cool for swimming.
The sea around Cape Town is generally too cold for swimming year-round; unless you wear a wetsuit.
Which month has the most rain in Cape Town?
July is usually the wettest month in Cape Town with 85mm (3in) of rainfall on average, distributed across 10 days.
The rainy season lasts from mid-April through September, with a greater than 16% chance of a given day being a wet day.
The drier season lasts from October to mid-April. The month with the least rainfall in Cape Town is February, with 8mm (‹1in) of rainfall on average.
Which is the windiest month in Cape Town?
The windiest month of the year in Cape Town is January, with an average hourly wind speed of 22 kilometres per hour (14 mph; 12 knots)..
The windy part of the year lasts from early-October through to mid-March, with average wind speeds of more than 19 kilometres per hour (12 mph; 10 knots).
The less-windy time of year lasts from mid-March through to early-October. The calmest month of the year in Cape Town is May, with an average hourly wind speed of 17 kilometres per hour (10.6 mph; 9 knots).
The predominant average hourly wind direction varies throughout the year in Cape Town.
Cape Town Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average high temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 28 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 26 |
| Average low temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 66 | 67 | 69 | 72 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 73 | 68 | 66 | 65 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 11+ | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11+ |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 12 | 8 | 17 | 45 | 85 | 80 | 85 | 70 | 45 | 30 | 17 | 11 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Cape Town, RSA | |||||||||||
Source: Meteorological data for Cape Town is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the South African Weather Service at the closest weather station: Cape Town International Airport (CPT), located around 20km (12mi) east of central Cape Town.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit Cape Town: 12 July, 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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